In 2003, my father was invited by the University of San Francisco (USF) to attend a weekend of festivities in honor of the Dalai Lama.  A few years before, my father had endowed a Philippine Studies chair at the university in honor of my sister, Lenny, an alumnus who had died.  It is one of the few programs in the United States and one of the largest in the world outside of the Philippines specializing in Philippine and/or Filipino American history, literature, sociology, politics, religion, art and language.

My father was a member of the university’s Board of Trustees for nine years. Every time he would visit San Francisco, I would be on stand-by – to pick him up at the airport, drive him to his meetings, attend social functions with him, and even take him shopping. He loved Stanford Shopping Center, but he hardly bought anything. He preferred to just stroll around the mall.

When my father received the invitation to meet the Dalai Lama at USF, I was so excited. I thought that perhaps Richard Gere, one of my favorite actors, would show up, knowing full well that Gere is a devout follower of the Dalai Lama. The event started out with a breakfast reception, then conferment of an honorary degree on the Dalai Lama. The day after, there were private meetings with the Dalai Lama, and we were lucky to secure a five-minute session with him.

At the breakfast meeting, I watched very closely everyone who entered, hoping to see Richard Gere. He never showed up. Instead, Pierce Brosnan walked in with his wife. Oh boy, he is also on my “favorites” list. I approached the Director of Development and asked if I could be introduced to Pierce Brosnan, and he replied, “Lisa, we are here for the Dalai Lama, not for Pierce Brosnan.”

I had to find another way to meet Mr. Brosnan.

“He never showed up. Instead, Pierce Brosnan walked in with his wife. Oh boy, he is also on my “favorites” list.”

His presence was very distracting. I mean, Brosnan, not the Dalai Lama. I kept watching him, and I’m sure many of the people there were also catching glimpses of him. I hardly remember what the Dalai Lama said during the breakfast reception. When it was almost over, Mr. Brosnan stood up and headed for the door. I knew he had to take a bathroom break, so I quickly stood up, told my father I was heading to the restroom, and my father followed me. I caught up with the star in the hallway, and politely asked, “Mr. Brosnan, can I take a picture with you?”

“Sure,” he said so gallantly.

“Here, Dad, please take our picture,” I said as I shoved the camera into my father’s hand.

After my father took the shot, he said, “It’s my turn.”

I took the photo of my father and Pierce Brosnan, and today that photo still sits on my father’s office shelf. (My father died three years ago, but his office is still intact.)

But before Brosnan walked away, my father told him, “Why do we have all these secret service men here? We don’t need them. We have 007!” Brosnan smiled.

I was so excited, and called my husband to tell him about the incident. He asked, “What about the Dalai Lama? Weren’t you there to meet him?”

To which I replied, “Forget the Dalai Lama. I met Pierce Brosnan and I have a picture to prove it!” I did not tell him that I would have the pleasure of meeting the Dalai Lama up close and personal the next day.

Mona Lisa Yuchengco, the Dalai Lama and Alfonso Yuchengco

Our brief meeting with the Dalai Lama the next day was short. He and my father talked about world politics and about China. We also attended an interfaith prayer service where the Dalai Lama received an honorary degree, and he spoke about his vision of compassion and peace. The Dalai Lama seemed like a nice guy, always smiling. I am told he is witty and likes playing jokes on other people. I bet he would have laughed if I told him about being excited in meeting Pierce Brosnan.

The Magazine

Meeting Pierce Brosnan and the Dalai Lama

Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

COLLECTIONS