Go Away With … Jose Llana

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune and other outlets
August 15, 2023

Jose Llana is excited to reprise his role in the David Byrne and Fatboy Slim Broadway musical “Here Lies Love.”

“I play President Ferdinand Marcos [who was] the husband of Imelda Marcos,” said Llana, who had previously earned a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for his portrayal of Marcos during the show’s Off-Broadway run. “He was elected president of the Philippines in 1965. After refusing to relinquish power after his second term, he declared martial law in 1972 until he was ousted by the People Power Revolution in 1986. He was a ruthless dictator responsible for thousands of deaths and billions of stolen dollars from the Filipino people.”

A resident of New York City, Llana keeps followers updated on his work on Instagram, Twitter and Threads (username: @thejosellana).

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?
A: My grandmother turns 100 next summer, so my family is planning a large family reunion in Manila to celebrate her birthday. It will be my first time back in the Philippines since 2008. When my husband and I fly to Asia, we usually plan on visiting at least two countries since we’re already halfway around the world. In 2008, we went to Hong Kong before our Manila stay. This time around we might visit Vietnam, Malaysia or Singapore. We have yet to decide.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: London. It was the first place my husband and I went to for a vacation six months after we started dating, and it was where we fell in love. It’s the place we go to when we don’t want to plan too much, which I tend to do when we visit new places. The restaurants are always new and interesting. As a Broadway performer, I always make sure we check out at least a few shows on the West End. And my husband is an architect and real estate developer, so his favorite thing to do is take hours-long real estate walks all over London. It’s a place that always relaxes us and we try to go at least once a year.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: Palawan, Philippines. When I brought my husband to the Philippines in 2008, I wanted to make sure we spent time outside of Manila so we went to El Nido in Palawan, a group of islands in the middle of the country. It is the most gorgeous place we’ve ever been to. It’s like stepping into a postcard. The beaches and coral reefs are stunning. A focus on environmentalism has kept everything in pristine condition. My aunt put it best when I told her we were going to Palawan. She said, “It will make you proud to be Filipino.” She was so right.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?
A: My parents took my sister and me on many trips as young children on our way to and from the Philippines. One of the first places we went to was Tokyo, Japan. I was quite young, maybe eight or nine, but I remember it vividly. The first thing I remember was the flight on All Nippon Airways, the Japanese flight attendants and being served ramen on the plane. I remember walking around Tokyo with its bright neon lights and television signs. I remember the hotel with a large piece of carved wood attached to the room key. The trip was filled with so many exciting sounds and smells, I remember being so excited and riveted by it all.

Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: To keep an open mind. I think that’s the best thing travel does for anybody. We tend to live in our bubbles at home. But when you travel, you experience people, cultures and food from a completely different perspective. It’s truly eye-opening. I like to think that all people are inherently good, before we’re taught our different biases and prejudices. Travel reminds me of that all the time. Also, traveling frequently as a child taught me to try everything at least once, especially food. If you don’t like it, move on. But at least give it a try.

Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: I come from a Filipino family, so Christmas at home is a must. But sometimes we take quick trips to different places for New Year’s. Miami was an easy destination from New York City for a while, but it’s gotten a little too crazy. A few years back, we took a trip to Charleston, S.C., for five days after Christmas and it was wonderful. It was one of the best food trips we’ve ever taken with tons of great restaurants.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: New York City, London, Manila, Tokyo, Mexico City.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Italy. No question. I’d like to go for an extended visit for at least a month and hit different regions for days or weeks at a time, starting from the north and eating my way down to the south. Italy is definitely at the top of my list. Most of my family and my husband have already visited there on trips without me, so it makes me even more focused on getting there myself.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: My guidebooks. I collect guidebooks on every place we visit and I’m pretty proud of the collection we already have. My neck pillow. I learned very quickly that different hotel pillows do a number on my neck and a good night’s sleep is essential to getting over jet lag and seeing the sights. Comfortable walking shoes. My husband is obsessed with walking tours. And walking is usually the best way to see a new city.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Trashy magazines. They are perfect for switching off your brain and getting into vacation mode. I usually buy a stack of them at the airport and tend to go through them slowly during the course of a trip. Also, potato chips, especially chips and crisps from different countries.

© 2023 JAE-HA KIM
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