ka Chayong @ 95

On her 90th birthday five years ago, I gave ka Chayong a picture frame with a religious theme and digital lights. I didn’t know what to give her this time. What gift is appropriate for a 95 year old? Last minute, I decided maybe she would like a crystal. It’s a small crystal picture frame from Ireland. she could give it to her daughter or apo.

Waterford Crystal

Ready, I have a gift.

Call time’s 7 pm. I left the house at 6 pm. The sky was still bright when I reached Rosario Bridge in Cainta.

I was one of the firsts to arrive at the 95th birthday celebration of Ka Chayong Arcilla, mother of Chit, Toti, Teying, and Tigi.

I was there a few minutes before 7 pm. There were a few gifts on the table when I arrived.

Jojo Angeles Flores, 65, and Ka Milagring Lopez Roldan, 82

Arranged according to age— rounded-off
50, 60, 70, 80, and Ka Chayong, 90.

Alice Maaba-Dacanay with Ka Peping Vital, 83, and wife Ka Tessie, 82. Everytime I see ka Tessie, she always proudly tell us that they still do it regularly. Inggit kayo?
That’s their secret daw to longevity. Inggit talaga kayo?
Nagkakalabitan daw sila araw-araw. Sobrang inggit talaga kayo ano?
Nung isang beses sa burol ng Kuya Ben ko, sabi nya, nakaka-ilang round pa daw sila. Abah! Talaga?

Ka Tessie is the first cousin of my sister in law Linda Cerda, wife of my eldest brother Kuya Junior. I only found out that they are cousins 3 years ago.
According to Ka Tessie, her grandfather died at the age of 115. I don’t want to reach 115, baka sobrang makulitan na sa akin ang mga anak ko. I would look so ugly. I would be the ugliest drift wood on earth. Baka gawin akong sabitan ng orchids.

The party started at almost 2 hours late. When the celebrant arrived, her friends ganged up on her. She even jumped up and down to show her excitement.
Wala syang tungkod ha? Super dooper inggit din kayo?

More gifts arrived.

Atty. Carmelo Arcilla, Oh my buhay, Rose Callanta-Ynares, Dra. Elizabeth Carrasco, Mr. Carrasco, Mike Arcilla (background)
Front: Alice Maaba-Dacanay, Sarry and Olan Celestial, Alette ( current president of the Binangonan Association of Southern California, after Olan’s two year term.)

My whole body was sweating all through out the party. It was so hot and super humid. The cabana had no aircon and no electric fan man lang. Although all sides are open and it overlooks the Laguna Lake, there’s no breeze. Super init talaga. Ang ingay-ingay pa kasi there’s a karaoke a few meters away. Kuliling-kulili ako. Ganyan sa probinsya or in congested areas. Mahilig sila magkaraoke, ako naman eh naiingayan. Siguro dahil hindi ako marunong kumanta kaya.

The oldies were the firsts in line to get lechon.
Ka Tessie’s lechon diet.

The following day, Tigi Arcilla mentioned to me that they ordered food good for 200 people but more than half remained untouched at the party so they were given away. Although 185 pax arrived, most of them were old people, mahinang kumain and no second round.

Kuya Lito’s the childhood friend of Chit Arcilla. He arrived after dinner.

Hershey, also a childhood barkada of my brother.

Joaquin Arcilla, brother of Libring and first cousin of Teying, rendered a few songs as per request of Teying. He said he hasn’t sang for a long time kaya wala syang practice. He’s a retired policeman. He was also a Tawag ng Tanghalan champion for many weeks. The Arcilla’s are musically talented.

Many guests are in their 60s, 70s, 80s.
I realized their comments have nothing to do with you as a person, but they vary according to your age.

Teenagers received this praises: Ang tangkad, maganda kamukha ni Pareng____”.

For my age group 50s:
I got comments like “Annie, kilala mo ba ako? gumaganda ka lalo, hindi ka nagbabago, maganda pa rin, pareho ka pa rin ng dati” and all kinds of variation.

For those in their 60s: “Tumaba ka ngayon, tila sume-sexy ka, payat ka pa rin, bagay sayo mataba, and all kinds of variation (again).

For those in their 70s: “Malakas ka pa rin, wala kang sakit? Buti na ka recover ka? Aba si Ka Ano____ malakas pa ano? Ang haba ng buhay mo, buti ka pa”.

Bakit kaya nya sinabi yun, patay na kaya sya?

For those in their 80s: :Ka _____ buhay pa ho kayo? Ang galing nyo naman, wala ba kayong sakit? Nakaka labas pa pala kayo, ang habay ng buhay nyo. Yung mga kasabay nyo mga patay na, kayo na ang susunod. Si Ka____ malakas pa rin, hindi halatang matanda na. Naku maganda pa rin kayo kahit lola na. Baka umabot pa kayo ng ilang taon”.

Don’t say that, you’re scaring the person.

“O ano, matagal tayong hindi nagkita. Patay na ba mister mo?”

How about the star of the night? Ka Chayong at 95?

Her son Atty. Carmelo “Teying” Arcilla, Executive Director of the Civil Aeronautics Board, called friends and relatives to give tribute to his mom.

I was also called to the stage to say something. I just said my parents had high regards for Ka Chayong. We were neighbors for more than 50 years. Hindi pa ako pinanganak. Her children are lucky that she’s still alive to witness and share in their glory.

She was showered with praises and wishes for a longer life. Tila yung parents nya kasi umabot ng one hundred.

Some comments off and on stage:

“Ang galing mo Ka Chayong patay na lahat ang kasabayan nya. Sana umabot pa kayo ng isang daan”.

“Sister, malakas ka pa, salamat sa panginoon at buhay ka pa”.

“Buhay pa si Ka Chayong, kailan kaya sya mamamatay? Malakas pa mukhang matatagalan pa yan”.

The way things are, she would really reach a hundred. She has no known sickness. She doesn’t have any maintenance medicine. She only takes vitamins. She doesn’t walk with a cane. She could still see things clearly without contact lenses or glasses. Inggit tayong lahat!