Teresa Arboleda in her retirement: It’s never too late for anything

There have been several generations that grew up watching her on screen for 42 years. Some watched it through their televisions with knobs, others on devices with remote control and the youngest, through a computer or cell phone. Regardless of the device, the Ecuadorian journalist Theresa Grove Through his daily work on national television, he managed to become not only a reference in the field of communication, but also managed to enter the homes of viewers and win the affection of the public. An achievement that stands out because it was obtained before social networks and likes were essential.

Exactly fifteen weeks ago, in October of last year, he said goodbye to his viewers, his co-workers and the channel. That Saturday night, Teresita – as they affectionately call her – retired from Canal del Cerro. “Today I start a new story” was read in the post from his Instagram account (in which he registers 67,972 followers) that accompanied the video of his last working day.

Mother of three and grandmother of the rival of the sun, as she calls her grandson Juan Martín, Teresita’s routine has been completely transformed. Formal suits and makeup are no longer a daily requirement. He has changed the recording studio of the channel for more lively scenarios, with another type of adrenaline. Climbing hills, climbing mountains, parachuting are activities that perfectly describe part of the adventurous and brave personality of the Guayaquil woman.

With new projects underway, at 60 years old, Teresita begins to feel more familiar with digital platforms. For this reason, he has created The voice of calm, his first podcast in which he talks about values ​​and which will be available on Spotify.

Three months have passed since your last appearance on television, how has your life changed now? Do you miss the days on the news?

I have various activities, I share with my family and friends. Before, I was never able to attend birthday parties or meetings in the evenings, I always arrived after nine at night, when everyone had left. I never attended children’s parties, now I don’t miss the parties of my friends’ grandchildren or my grandnephews. The rebound of COVID in the last two weeks has limited me and I take great care of myself. The other day I went to Ecuavisa and it made me nostalgic, I saw my classmates and I almost wanted to stay presenting the news, it was part of my life for 42 years, but I have many activities and that doesn’t happen to me often.

Retirement for many is synonymous with shutting up at home, however, we see Teresita active in different facets, the first of them as an interviewer on her Instagram account. What qualities of yours have surprised you on these new platforms? How do you feel in them? Are you no longer afraid of technology?

(Laughs) I have never been afraid of technology, I have fascination and admiration for the technological and scientific advances of these times. I recognize my limitations in this field, but I like to explore and that helped me discover that the virtual field is a reality that impacts the world and everyone’s lives. We are in a showcase, exposed, hyperconnected. In my farewell from TV, many people showed me their affection and support in a way that I did not expect; I received countless very nice messages, I felt very moved and deeply grateful. I would not have been able to realize that affection of the viewing public if social networks had not existed.

What I am doing is walking, moving forward, moving slowly with what I am discovering and showing who I am in other aspects of my life. From time to time I have touched on topics that interest me and I continue with my vocation to communicate. I am retired, I take great care of my health, I am grateful to be healthy, happy with my sixty years on top and wanting to do everything that my strength allows me. #Teresitarecharged (laughs once more).

We also see you making videos. What has been the most difficult part of this new stage of digital discovery?

Using digital tools is difficult for me. I’m practicing with the videos, it takes me a long time and they don’t look so nice.

You also recently interviewed Anita Buljubasich, before her retirement, what did it feel like to be on the other side, to be the spectator now?

I thought I knew exactly how Anita felt, and I was right. We are both contemporary colleagues, we are from the time when television was the mass media with the greatest impact, we did not have the technological tools of today and we have lived through the change in the habits and tastes of the audience.

We can tell many stories. In addition, we are at an age in which we have the wisdom that the years give us; and we have strength, energy and desire to continue exploring and enjoying life. We can feel grateful and calm when we look back and see the path we have traveled that always drives us forward.

Contrary to what one might think of a woman who is already a grandmother, we see her jumping out of a plane, jumping with a parachute, climbing, has she always had this adventurous spirit? What will be the next adventure you undertake?

Those concepts of granny at home, knitting and sitting in an armchair, have changed for a few decades. Today we are talking about the revolution led by mature women who have worked hard, who have raised their children, who support their families, who know the value of getting up every day, being able to breathe, see the sun and the world around them. Who accept their lives as the result of what they have been able to do, without unnecessary regrets, who know how to forgive and forgive themselves.

I’m not athletic, but I like these intense outdoor activities, where I can contemplate nature in all its splendor and feel the effort of my body. Conquering those heights, walking in the snow, experiencing free fall, allying with the wind, grabbing a rocky slope with your hands is feeling nature in its purest state. In that sense, more than adventurous I am romantic (laughs). We’ll see what I can do, I want to try again the flight in ultralight to see the volcanoes clear and up close.

Your Instagram account allows us to discover, through your posts, a fresher, more carefree and energetic side of you. What other aspects of Teresita are unknown to the public that has followed her on screen during her 42 years of work?

Maybe how impatient I can be when I’m in a rush. I don’t like to show that, I still try to control it.

He plans to launch a podcastWhat kind of content will it have and where will it be available?

These podcasts they are a response to my followers’ questions and comments. The themes I have developed arise from the messages I have received. Most of these messages talk about the values ​​we need to be better, about emotions, they ask for my opinion and see me as a voice of calm. It may be that for some people my voice accompanies them. They can be heard on Spotify.

What other activities are you focusing on at this stage of retirement?

In all that I can. I work out, I read, I still work on presentations as a master of ceremonies, I do media training For some people, I’ve realized that I don’t have full retirement from work.

After retiring from your job, what have you discovered in your life that you previously took for granted on a day-to-day basis?

It used to be common to put on makeup, comb my hair and groom myself every day, now I enjoy living without makeup and wearing exercise clothes.

Are you still watching the news? Ecuavisa or has it been disconnected somehow?

Ecuavisa they are doing a very good job on their digital platforms and I follow them.

You have retired from television, but from work as such as well? Do you have new proposals or job offers on or off screen?

Some things are emerging through the networks, but they are new forms of work interaction. I definitely haven’t retired from work totally. I have retired from the IESS and from Ecuavisa, My dependency relationship with the company ended.

In this new stage of your life, what are your aspirations?

Enjoy my family, my friends and the activities that I can still do and that excite me. I have no material aspirations other than health.

The pandemic continues, and this inevitably changes plans and routines, how do you live and take care of infections? What is the biosecurity routine at home and away from it?

In the last week I have voluntarily isolated myself. I am afraid of COVID, so far I have not been infected, I have three doses of the vaccine, I keep my distance and those who come to my house wear a mask, wash their hands and take off their shoes.

How do you now enjoy the time with the rival of the sun?

That is wonderful, the best thing that has happened to me is being able to enjoy beach days with my grandson Juan Martín, without schedule. I join any plan, I’m always available.

Many women, of different ages, believe that they can dedicate themselves to only one activity, and in other generations they believe that when a number of lives pass, they can no longer or should do others, what do you say to them?

It is never late for anything! Who gives you a schedule in life for what you can or should do? The world is wide, time is limited and life is fragile; don’t think so much… do everything you can do and contribute to your joy and that of the beings you love who are part of your responsibility.

LABOR SOCIAL

Teresa has been volunteering for 14 years at Casa de la vida, directed by Father Paulino Toral, an entity that is an active promoter of the rights of life. (I)