Mortality's uncertainty

Mortality was the first word that came to my mind when I first saw the elderly women of the Seven Sisters of Mary Elderly Home and Medical Clinic in Talisay City.

Model's Association of Cebu (MAC) specifically chose the institution because it is little-known compared to the homes located in Cebu City. We felt that spreading our pre-Christmas holiday cheer should start where it is rarely given by outsiders and volunteers.

It was October 2, 2005 when members of the Model's Association of Cebu (MAC), together with agents Chicoy Tomol and Roger Alferez, visited Seven Sisters to cheer up the elderly women we fondly refer to as lolas (granny). With bags full of Jollibee spaghetti, housedresses and adult diapers, we got there at 3 pm from Cebu City, just in time for their post-nap merienda.

The models that afternoon - Karla Bautista, Elvira Stehr (with boyfriend Vincent Alvarez), Anna Igpit, Cassidy Shun and Jaydee Batuto (with girlfriend Dessa) cannot help but got teary-eyed (if not downright touched) at the sight of lolas who were very happy to see us.

It was my first time to visit an elderly home and it was a unique experience. Upon entering the room where the ladies were gathered, a Chinese lady in a wheelchair clasped my hands while saying: "Kaingon nako gi-kalimtan nako nimo. Naka-anhi jud ka," mistaking me for someone she must have known. After the confusion was cleared, she told me her name is Sion, 73 years old. She is childless and has never been married.

After a short presentation cum fashion show of the MAC models, the old ladies introduced themselves. The oldest was Lola Paulina who cracks jokes with a wide, toothless grin. Then, there was the beautiful Lola Loleng who's been talked about for not coming out of her room without a powdered face, fixed eyebrows and painted lips. She naughtily told us about her youthful love life.

The lolas lived interesting lives. I would think that being in an elderly home means that the housemates barely talk and in hushed whispers at that. I was shocked to note that this is not the case.

The lolas have different ways of manifesting their personalities. At their old age, what they are most passionate about shines through. Just like with the young!

Some prefer to sit quietly in a corner while others glory in the limelight. Just like the former dean of the Velez College of Nursing, Lola Fortunata. She read to us some of her poetry and when we told her we had to get going, she insisted on reading some more!

Hearing their stories and looking at all their faces, I could not help but think of my 75-year-old grandmother at home and the impossibility of putting her in a nursing home while we're still alive.

On the other hand, I imagine many other things. I'm sure my fellow MAC members were pensive, too.

I think of the lolas' loneliness and frustrations.

I think of their lost youth. Having been young once, what could they have been like then? Would they have been wild/er and carefree/r? Or as serene as they are now?

I looked beyond the lines and wrinkles that had not been there before. I tried to fathom the eyes sparkling with wisdom and occasional pain. I stared at the papery cheeks that have been caressed by the wind for a long time. I imagined the beauty of their soul.

I sometimes saw contentment. Maybe of a life lived well? Contrary to most opinions, other old people prefer to stay in homes like Seven Sisters where they are well-taken cared of. Some of them are all alone in the world, and think that it is better to be in the company of women their age.

More than anything, I see spunk and the will to live. That's what we enjoyed most in our visit. It encouraged us to make more out of our lives, knowing fully well the eventual end.

None of us want to imagine ourselves in their shoes. But, the uncertainty of the future doesn't hold much promise to anyone. Having visited Seven Sisters, we realized that neither success nor wealth nor the number of children will determine our fate.

However, I am sure of one thing. There is a God and He will take care of us and put us where we best belong. Speaking for now and the future, our situation may sometimes be hard to accept. But we can always pray for strength and the courage to go on, just like the lolas in Seven Sisters.

Come November, I cannot wait to spend another fun, insightful afternoon with the lolas.

This time, together with the designers of the Clothes for Life Foundation.