erBench image model, The Philippine Star columnist, wife of actor Richard Gomez, mother to four-year-old Juliana—these are the thing that define Lucy Torres-Gomez from the public's point of view. But how does Lucy define herself? In her own words, she tells us

“We've come full circle!” laughs Lucy Torres-Gomez, as she reminisces about her first shoots with MEGA six years ago. Back then, she was a shy and self-conscious “probinsyana,” as she refers to herself then, having just in front of photographer Wig Tysmans' camera, wearing a coral Emporio Armani dress, and nothing was happening. Why don't you dance? I suggested. Maybe that will warm you up. Lucy was mortified. I managed to convince her to sway her hips a tad by dancing like a lunatic myself.

Today, a fulfilled, accomplished, self-possessed—but still quite shy—Lucy, now 28, stand before me, twirling in front of the camera, wearing, ironically, another coral dress, this time by Davao designer Dodgie Batu. Taking flamenco lessons for the past year has built her body confidence and she moves with poise and assurance, and she appears to be enjoying the experience. And this time, all I did was watch.  

My 5 Favorite Fashion Moments

1. The first time I wore a Joe Salazar. The gown—a billowy concoction made of silk chiffon in a deep yellow color—was impeccably sewn and had a beautiful fit. When I wore it, so many people came up to ask where I had it made. That gown, which got me hooked on him, remains one of my favorites to this day.
2. The first time I saw a flamenco dancer with a beautiful red flower pinned to her hair. I so wanted to boldly wear a bloom that big, so I did the next best thing—I learned the dance! Now I get to wear a bloom at least three times a week (when I attend flamenco dance class). There's nothing like red lipstick and a beautiful red bloom to make you seem to dance better than you actually can. As my teacher always says, you can't always perform but you can always show your form.
3. Going through my mom's jewelry box when I was still in my pre-teens. I would ask her the named of the different gemstones and the stories behind each piece, and I loved the way the words rolled on my tongue when I repeated them. I think being constantly exposed to jewelry at such a young age (my grandmother was a jeweler) sealed my passion for it. What I like most about precious jewelry has little to do with its monetary value; rather, I'm all for its sentimental significance in a person's life—engagement ring, wedding ring, promise ring, thank-you-for-giving-me-daughter-earrings, I'm so happy-I-married-you bracelet, happy-18 th -birthday pendant, etc. Marking a special moment in your life with jewelry is like brushing the pages of time with romance.
4. The first time my mom officially allowed me to experiment with her makeup. Each time she and my dad went off to attend a party, I would tinker with her set, and then make sure I carefully returned each item before she got back. One time, out of sheer excitement and nervousness, her blusher blush slipped through my hands and fell down the drain of the bathroom sink. I owned up to it, and I guess she figure I would be less clumsy if I didn't have to do it behind her back. I remember the following to a T the how-to-page that had Christie Brinkley as the model. I piled on blue shadow, pink blush, eyeliner and lipstick, trying to make it look as beautiful on me as it did on her. Of course I looked like a clown. If I had a before-and-after shot, the before version would look more acceptable. I was very good at filling in the lips with color even back then (I attribute that to my love for arts and crafts, which gave me really steady and precise fingers, I guess). Ironically, up to this day lip color is the only makeup I know how to put on expertly. For years, I have survived on a very sparse makeup kit that consists only of two kinds of pressed powder, a set of basic eye shadow, pink and peach blush, and lots of lipsticks and glosses.
5. My mom once left me, my sister and a cousin under the care of my aunt, Tita Liclic, while she and my dad went out to a dinner. Tita Liclic proceeded to dress up in my mom's silky half-slips. She tied ribbons around our arms and matched the outfit with smoky eye makeup. We raided my mom's shoe cabinet and got the highest heels we could fit our tiny feet into. We looked like flapper girls and we really hammed it up for the camera. We were probably around six or seven at that time and boy, did we have fun! I knew then that I would always love dressing up. To this day, I get a flash of wonderful memories when come across that photo.

My 5 Beauty Commandments

1. Take care of personal hygiene. No matter how beautiful a woman is, if she smells bad, her beauty will cease to matter. Smelling good is just as important as looking good.
2. I wish I could honestly say that we should stay away from sinful food (chicharon bulaklak, lechon, profiteroles, foie gras) but to do so would be hypocritical of me. I so love them! So the next best thing would be to burn it off, and along that time I would point anyone in the direction of finding an activity you truly love. For me, it's dancing. The only way to stick to any fitness regimen is to have a passion for it, and then you can stay happy while staying fit.
3. Leave the pricking to the dermatologists. When I break out, I rush to the experts. There is no point in doing it myself. Good skin should be the strongest beauty foundation. Instead of spending thousands on makeup to camouflage your flaws, spend the same amount of money on a sensible skin-care regimen that will render you skin flawless. With good skin, you will survive on pressed powder, blush and gloss. When you do break-out, though (and that happens to most women), find a good concealer to tide you over the natural healing period.
4. With regard to appearance: Don't be a fashion-victim. Do not jump into trends mindlessly, without regard for your body type, personality and lifestyle. Find your personal style, one that you're comfortable with, and work on building a timeless wardrobe from there. You can then infuse it with trendy pieces and accessories to keep up with the times.
5. Take care of your skin. Bath time is one of my favorite personal activities. I love the whole ritual of scrubbing and soaping, and then slathering on body oil and lotion. I open a lot of different kinds of body products at one time, so I'm never bored with just a particular scent. I love the reward of having silky skin from top to toe.

5 Books That Touched My Life

1. The Bridges of Madison Country by Robert James Waller. I cried buckets while reading it. I started and could not put it down. It just underlines the bittersweet reality that not everyone gets to marry his or her one great love.
2. The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. This teaches you to let go and let God [take over]. For a worrier like me, this book has been very liberating and comforting.
3. Love You Forever by Robet Munsch. I came across this children's book by chance when Richard and I were in Barnes & Nobles in San Francisco. I read through the pages and found myself choke with emotion. It is heartwarming in its simplicity, beautiful in its significance. I bought several copies, just so Juliana (and our future children) will each have a copy.
4. Love In Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This was an assigned read in one of my classes in college. Because it was compulsory, I was quick to dismiss it as “most probably boring.” I realized how wrong I was after the first few chapters. Not only was the story of unrequited love riveting, for me it was a touchingly clear picture of the patience and soul of great love. Over and above that, I learned to never again “judge a book by its cover”—a mantra I have carried out in other areas of my life.
5. Prophet of the People: A Biography of Padre Pio by Dorothy M. Gaudiose. As you get to know this man of yourself, at the very least, inspired to be a better person. This book is food for the soul and it made my faith grow in leaps and bounds.  

My 5 movies That I Can Watch Over and Over Again

1. Love Affair (with Annette Bening and Warren Beatry). I loved this movie so much I chose to use its main theme instrumental for my wedding march. It is a story of destiny, a lot like my own love story.
2. Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (with Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta). Hands down this is my favorite Tagalog movie of all time. First off, I was a Richard-and-Dawn fan. And this movie, with its beautiful cinematography and musical scoring, sweeps me off to the wonderful world of romance. I must have seen this movie over 50 times (I practically know their lines) and I never see to tire of it.
3. Shining Through (with Michael Douglas and Melanie Griffith). Beautifully depicts love in a time of war. It was through this movie that I developed a liking for old songs, particularly “I'll Be Seeing You.” I couldn't memorize the words, so it was my Lola Carmen who patiently sang it over and over for me until I knew it by heart. Lola Carmen has since passed away and I will never be able to hear that song or watch that movie without missing her.
4. Legends of the Fall (with Brad Pitt and Julia Ormond). I fell in love with Tristan, Brad Pitt's character. I love how the movie realistic shows the personal and emotional struggles a family goes through, and how through all the imperfections, love can and will prevail. Makes you realize that it boils down to the basics: Family is what matters.
5. Moulin Rouge (with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor). Another bittersweet love story set amid a fantastic musical backdrop. Can I add a sixth? That would have to be Love Actually. (I guess it's obvious I'm a romantic, huh?)

My 5 Favorite Songs

1. “More Than You'll Ever Know” by Michael Ruff. Richard sang this the first time he serenaded me.
2. Theme from Love Affair. I love the sweeping melody. This song always makes me smile. If the state of being madly in love could be captured in just one piece of music, this would be it.
3. “I Finally Found Someone” by Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams. When Richard and I realized we were falling in love, this was my secret song for him. It blew me away when he told me that it was his song for me too! I still get a warm feeling each time I remember that.
4. Songs by Johnny Hates Jazz and Everything But The Girl. Hearing their songs always brings back happy memories of times spent with my sister, my cousins and my friends from college, when I had a really fun time “growing up.” I liked that stage when I was no longer a child but not quite an adult.
5. “So Many Questions” by Side A. They're my favorite band and they wrote that song for the very first TV commercial that Richard and I did together.  

My 5 Dream Destinations

1. Amanpulo. Just because. The very idea makes me think of a white hammock, a cool breeze and the perfect banana peanut better shake
2. Spain. I want to have tapas, dance the flamenco, watch a bullfight live, experience the tomato festival, and have my siesta in a terracotta-colored room with a beautiful view…
3. Tuscany. I love the rustic the place seems. I somehow feel that the Tuscan sun probably makes any color of nature more vivid than it already is. In Tuscany I'd like to stay in a little village, go for long walks in the morning, wake up to Richard making breakfast, go to the deli to buy bread that comes in huge loaves… I would want it to be the kind of vacation where anything goes. I would want it to be the kind of vacation where anything goes. I would want to discover it at an idyllic page to match the equally idyllic place.
4. Morocco. It intrigues me.
5. Bahamas. I love the sun, the sea and the sand. I love the beach at night, too, and the sound of the waves lulls me to sleep.

5 “Words of Wisdom” I Live By

1. Pray, pray, pray. All the time, any time. It does not have to be one-hour affair. Personally, I do it sporadically throughout the day. I just make it a point to keep in touch with the source of all the good things that come my way. For any and every little thing, I just lay it all at His feet, trusting that he knows what I want, what I need, and that He will give them all to me according to His will.
2. Live and let live.
3. If I have nothing nice to say, better not say anything at all.
4. Be the kind of friend you would want to have.
5. I believe that person is blessed according to how he is expected to also be a blessing to others. Keep on sharing, keep on giving and you will never be in want. This is something that has held true countless times in my life.

5 Things I've Always Wanted To Do

1. Learn to cook. Although if I were to base it on my luck so far, this seems like a far-fetched reality. I'm very good at make take-out food look like a home-cooked meal, but that's as far as it goes. Ironically enough, I almost never leave a bookstore without buying a cookbook. I have all sorts and I love reading through all those recipes. Doing so succeeds in making me hungry and yes, gives me the desire to learn to cook. I then try, barely pass, and the cycle continues.
2. Garden—although I'm as good in gardening as I am in cooking. I do love flowers and I appreciate them in whatever form they come. I dream of having a beautiful garden all abloom, with me going around picking flowers and putting them in a basket. Alas, the closest thing to that is me going to Dangwa. Nevertheless, it makes me happy thought all the time.
3. Work for Martha Stewart Omnimedia. Really, if I had a dream job it would be something along that line. I love how she marketed homemaking and homekeeping as the art that it really is. Strip of all the legal controversy she is clothed with at present and she remains a genius in the art of living everyday in life beautifully and creatively.
4. Learn to embroider really well. I love working with my hands and it seems like something I know I will truly enjoy.
5. Take up interior design. I wanted to take that up in college, but at that time, it was not offered in UP Cebu . I don't see this happening anytime real soon, though, because I have my hands full with Juliana. In the same more kids, God willing, and I have many other activities in between. - -