The year Aunt Lily turned 100, and more

I’d be one with the rest in bidding bad, bad 2014 goodbye and good riddance, except that there’s something to be thankful for in that year just past. It’s longevity.

I had an aunt, Dr. Lily Ymzon Cenizal Fojas, turn 100 in 2014. It was so special an event in Tanza, Cavite, that the present and past mayors and other officials, the bishop and all the priests, teachers and tricycle drivers, farmers and fishermen, and thousands more joined the potluck “bangkete sa bangketa (banquet by the sidewalk)” in front of her old house. Everyone knows Auntie Lily as the general physician who had birthed, nursed, and circumcised them; stethoscoped their chests and pierced their ears; treated their fevers, scabies, dog bites, measles, chickenpox, mumps, and initial menstrual pains, then their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s. She was one of the first grads of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and Pasay City’s first female councilor. She had survived the American and Japanese Occupations, and countless natural disasters. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, they say. Auntie Lily eats some pork fat dipped in patis “fish sauce.” To this day she gets up and walks by herself, reads the papers, listens to music radio, and watches tele-novelas. Be careful what you tattle to others in her presence, for she can hear — and will laugh at — you for being such a nasty gossip. People invariably ask her the secret to long life, and she giggles at its seeming simplicity: never get angry. No need to go into the medical and karmic ravages of rage on body and soul.

Auntie Lily’s composer-brother, Uncle Josefino Y. Cenizal, turned 95 in 2014. It too was a major event, as relatives came for musical soiree. In a separate concert tribute, Ryan Cayabyab conducted the UP Madrigal Singers, with Bituin Escalante and Jed Madela, in performing, among other works, Uncle Pepe’s “Hindi Kita Malimot” and “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit,” which, he always chuckles, he originally wrote as a “ponebre (dirge).” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle sang, rather shyly, in that charity fundraiser. So overjoyed was Uncle Pepe with the sing-along that he turned his wheelchair to face and conduct the audience.

Tito Nene, Jake Almeda Lopez, turned 86. Ever sprightly, he travels most of the time. Up to five years ago, he’d hop on a bus by himself for a random provincial destination. With today’s roll on-roll off ferries, that included the Visayas and Mindanao, to Tita Aida’s worry. Tito Nene feels so blessed to have seen most of the country.

Many other elders added to nona-, octo-, and septuagenarian ages: Auntie Nena, Uncle Ray and Auntie Rosemary, and Uncle Cesar, all Ymzon; Kuya Verly and Ate Baby Flor Escarilla; and Mitch B. Ocampo.

There are also my in-laws, Uncle Albert, who heads a government department, and Auntie Gretchen; Uncle Emong who gave us all a scare getting lost for three days in the cornfields, and Auntie Marta; Uncle Tarun and Auntie Irene Naik; Uncle Joe de Venecia who still wages peace among and within warring Asia-Pacific states; Uncle Oscar de V. who has a new sweetheart; Uncle Nestor and Tita Becky Kalaw; and Aunties Fely Oviedo Abalos, Lydia O. Tangco, and Celia O. Maala.

There are mentors who helped me improve myself: Fr. Rey Adalid who in 2014 celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Epifanio Paras, President FVR, VP Tito Guingona, Sec. Jo-Al, Johnny Gat, Tong P., Senators Rene, JunMag, Bobby T., and Nene, Speaker Sonny, Governor Raul, CJs Reynato and Art, Manong Nards Jimenez, Manong Ray Orosa, Willie Villarama, Cecile Guidote, Charlie Avila, Gus Lagman, Manong Chris and Maam Solita, Manong Tony Cabangon Chua, Chitang Guerrero Nakpil, Gilda Cordero Fernando, Generals Mon Montaño and Vic C., Admiral Ed S., Jun Icban, Tony Seva, Lito Monico Lorenzana, Bert and Bobby Romulo, Eddie Yap, and philanthropists banker George T. and industrialist Carlos C.

Not to forget, special friends who lightened my life: Flor and Chola Colayco Navarro, Noli and Liz Barcelona, Nena Cruz, Manong Dante who has moved from newspapering to wellness, commercial director and funnyman Jun Urbano, Ed Alcaraz, Max Edralin, Mart del Rosario, Mory Sison, Ike Gutierrez, Dennis Villa-Ignacio, Tita Josine Elizalde, Tita Nelia Gonzalez, Wolf Neuhaeüser, Cong. Vic O., Tarzan, Carlos Pad, Peping and Maam Tingting, Recto Mercene, Capitan Art Quebal and Oji-san Alfredo and Oba-san Nancy Asuncion.

Most of all, my mom Violeta Almeda Ymzon B. turned 87 in 2014. Her sight and hearing are almost gone, as with short-term memory. But she has reverted to conversing in the language of her upbringing, and tells us of our ancestors in Spanish.

The year that was saw the passage of kith and kin into dual Filipino and senior citizenship. As well, the passing of others, well before their God-gifted 70 years, as stated in the Bible, Psalm 90:10:

The days of our years are threescore years and ten,

Or even by reason of strength fourscore years;

Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow;

For it is soon gone, and we fly away.

As for me, I will strive for the longevity of my elders, or die trying.

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