Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – Miss Experiencia | Raquel Moreno, la niña que quería ir al horizonte Date: October 14, 2025
Host: SER Podcast (Àngels Barceló, featuring Chema Rodríguez & José Luis)
Episode Focus:
This episode centers on the remarkable life and perspectives of Raquel Moreno, an 82-year-old woman from Bilbao whose lifelong curiosity, critical thinking, and passion for culture have shaped her unique journey. The conversation with Raquel explores how an inquisitive and determined childhood evolved into a life enriched by art, literature, travel, and a career that, for her time, defied convention.

Main Theme

A celebration of lifelong learning, curiosity, and cultural engagement, as told through the memories and insights of Raquel Moreno—a woman whose childhood dreams led her beyond the proverbial horizon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Joyful, Inquisitive Childhood

• Raquel describes a “feliz, muy feliz, la más feliz que se pueda desear” childhood in Portugalete and Las Arenas, with later years spent in Bilbao.
  • (01:28)
  • She recalls the iconic Puente de Vizcaya as a backdrop to her early life.
  • Telling story: At age 4, a neighbor (who worked on the bridge) took her up, planting the seed for her lifelong curiosity about what lies beyond the visible.
    • Quote: “Siempre he querido ir un poco más allá.” (02:13, Raquel)

2. The Drive to ‘Reach the Horizon’

• At 15, an encounter with that neighbor reminded her of her childhood desire "to go to the line" (the horizon).
  • Metaphor for her approach to life—always seeking more, always moving forward.
  • She jokes about confirming the Earth’s roundness from a plane to New York:
    • Quote: “Desde un avión, cuando pasé el Atlántico... ya no la ves tan recta, ya la ves un poco curvada.” (02:22, Raquel)

3. Breaking Gender Norms in Career

• Raquel became a delineante (draftswoman), at a time when the norm for women was to be secretaries or seamstresses.
  • Family support was crucial: “Me apoyaron en casa, mis hermanos me enseñaron arquitectura con papeles.” (03:18, Raquel)
• She worked in a French company in Bilbao, surrounded by mostly men, and remembers being assertive and respected.
  • Quote: “Me rodeaban cuatro o cinco ingenieros... y dije que no [a una idea equivocada], y tuve razón.” (04:15, Raquel)
• Shared experience of global business during the Cold War: U.S. patents rebranded in Bilbao, then sold to the USSR en route to Cuba.
  • (05:31)
• Eventually, she stepped away from work for family and notes the limited paths available to women then.

4. Family, Loss, and Choices

• Grew up in a large family; her eldest brother’s tragic drowning at age 20 left a deep mark. (03:53)
• Chose to leave her drafting job after marriage and dedicated herself to raising three children, guiding them toward education and culture despite their own preferences.
  • (07:35, on not forcing conservatory/conservatoire)

5. Passion for Art, Theater, and Lifelong Learning

• A regular at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao since age 11.
  • Memorable moment: Her first impactful gallery visit: “Ver un cuadro no es solo... hay uno en el Bellas Artes... un perro devolviendo en la primera parte, en el medio...” (09:16 — 10:00, Raquel)
• Enthusiastic about theater and music:
  • Mentioned attending performances by Antonio "el bailarín" and Luciano Pavarotti: “Vi a Pavarotti... guapo y encima con el pañuelo ahí en el Teatro Buenos Aires, el día 27 de marzo del 74.” (08:18 — 08:56)
• Finds enrichment and escape in culture:
  • Quote: “Te enriquece, que no te quedas con lo banal de todos los días, que escoges otra cosa.” (11:12, Raquel)

6. Literary Habits and Recommendations

• Reads nightly: “Dos horas al día mínimo de lectura.” (12:12, Raquel)
• Recent favorite: “Paseos sonoros” by Mercedes Albaina, about Bilbao’s artists and musicians. “Me encantaría que lo leería mucha gente.” (11:29 – 11:56)

7. Active Social and Cultural Life

• Manages a lively agenda with regular outings: concerts, theater, art exhibitions. She is also a liaison for a theater group, organizing tickets for friends.
  • (13:20)
• Comfortable with essential digital skills: email and event information lookup, although less interested in advanced apps or social media.
• Next activity: attending the thesis presentation of a Sudanese student she met via an architecture class.
  • Quote: “Tenemos mucho tiempo. Lo que hace falta es querer.” (14:44, Raquel)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|---------|---------------| | 02:13 | Raquel | “Siempre he querido ir un poco más allá.” | | 02:22 | Raquel | “Desde un avión... ya no la ves tan recta, ya la ves un poco curvada.” | | 03:18 | Raquel | “Me apoyaron en casa, mis hermanos me enseñaron arquitectura con papeles.” | | 04:15 | Raquel | (Sobre enfrentarse a ingenieros): “Y dije que no... y tuve razón.” | | 05:31 | Host | (Resumen): “...se vendía a Rusia para que llegara a Cuba.” (Re: la Guerra Fría) | | 11:12 | Raquel | “Te enriquece, que no te quedas con lo banal de todos los días, que escoges otra cosa.” | | 12:12 | Raquel | “Dos horas al día mínimo de lectura.” | | 14:44 | Raquel | “Tenemos mucho tiempo. Lo que hace falta es querer.” |

Memorable Moments & Segments

• Dreaming of the Horizon: Early metaphorical drive to explore life beyond limits. (01:51 — 02:22)
• Female Pioneer in Technical Field: Raquel stands her ground among engineers, demonstrating knowledge and confidence. (04:15 — 05:08)
• Cold War Industry Anecdote: The roundabout journey of U.S. patents to Cuba via the USSR from a Bilbao company. (05:14 — 05:50)
• Lifelong Engagement with Culture: Descriptions of first visits to galleries and enduring passion for live art. (09:00 — 11:12)
• Ongoing Involvement: Organizing cultural outings, keeping an active schedule, engaging with new generations (e.g., thesis defense attendance). (13:20 — 14:27)

Closing Reflections

Raquel’s story, told with luminous optimism and humor, is a tribute to women’s resilience, cultural curiosity, and the enduring value of enriching one’s life through art, literature, and critical reflection. For her, fulfillment comes not only from personal achievement but also from sharing and savoring knowledge and experiences with others.

Final Thought:
“Tenemos mucho tiempo. Lo que hace falta es querer.” (14:44, Raquel)

Listeners are left inspired to keep crossing their own horizons, regardless of age or circumstance.