Reflections on Ma’am Angie’s “Secrets” in Reaching 100

( Kindly read previous post to better understand this.)

1. No wonder less than .01% of the world’s population reaches 100. Almost all husbands either womanize, drink, or smoke.

2. My dear parents always argued in front of me. Tatay passed away at 88. Nanay is presently 91.

3. I moisturize Nanay’s face everyday but I seldom moisturize mine huhuhu… I remember watching Dr. Vicky Belo in one of her interviews. She said there are only 3 ways to maintain a young-looking face: “ #1. Moisturize #2. Moisturize and #3. Moisturize.”

4. Ma’am Angie is now in a wheelchair caused by 2 previous falls. Hoping that I could prevent falls by practicing YOGA. I do it every Monday with my son Gio and daughter Eia. Ma’am Angie used to take brisk walks everyday. I don’t run everyday. Only 3-4 times a week to accommodate Strength Training and Zumba in my weekly schedule. 

5. I also take 2 liters of water everyday but not warm. It is either ice-cold or iced water from the freezer.

6. My mother loved reading books but stopped around 10 years ago. She has Alzheimer’s now. At 100, Ma’am Angie is still reading books and newspapers. Her daughter Mimi and I plan to regularly read books like Ma’am Angie.

7. It is not easy to include 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday but I try my best to fulfill them. 

8. Ma’am Angie only eats premium fish but I eat all kinds of fish.

9. Lechon, humba and liempo are also my favorites!

10. I love to sing too but sadly, singing doesn’t love me. Ma’am Angie is blessed with angelic voice. Mine was cursed from birth.

Do you think you’ll reach 100 without Alzheimer’s like Ma’am Angie?

Ma’am Angie’s Take on Reaching 100

 We celebrated Ma’am Angie’s 100th birthday yesterday. In a nutshell, these were her revelations:

1. She was blessed with a husband who did not womanize, drink nor smoke.

2. She and her husband did not argue in front of their children.

3. She moisturizes every morning and before bed and sunblock in between.

4. She used to take brisk walks everyday before she slipped in the bathroom. 

5. She drinks 2 liters of warm water everyday.

6. She regularly reads books.

7. She eats fruits and vegetables.

8. She does not eat fish except pampano, lapulapu and salmon.

9. Her favorites are lechon, humba, liempo  (Mine too!) heheheh . . .

10. She loves to sing. She sang 3 songs with her walking buddy in the party. She memorized all 3 songs while her friend was holding a cheat sheet. Amazing!

Tribute to Ma’am Angie, Turning 100 Today!

Less than .01% of the world’s population reaches the age of 100. Ma’am Angie, CONGRATULATIONS for belonging to this extraordinary Club of Centenarians!

I salute you. You have survived the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Philippine, Asian, and Global Financial Crises, the Covid-19 Pandemic, the tragic death of Nora Aunor . . .

May you stay as vibrant, influential, articulate as you were before as the Regent of Daughters of Isabella, our adviser in Koronadal Pilot Elem. School, professor in American and English Literature at Notre Dame of Marbel College.

Thank you for igniting our passion for books, love for learning, and zest for life.

May you find true joy and happiness embracing God’s unpredictable plan in this millennium.

May your mind, body, heart and spirit be at peace—now and forever.

I love you, Ma’am Angie!