“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole… her true beauty is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows…”
– Audrey Hepburn
TURNING 80 is one great milestone in every person’s life especially among women… an enviable life’s stage seldom attained and experienced especially during this fast-paced problematic and tensioning generation.
Noticeably, septuagenarians (70-year-olds) and octogenarians (80-year-olds), alike, are essentially apprehensive with two paramount terms related to aging: gerontology, which is multidisciplinary concerned with the physical, mental, and social aspects of aging; and geriatrics, which is a medical specialty focused on the care and treatment of older persons.
Wise people like Anthony Powell said that growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven’t committed… and for all the advancement in medicine scientists and doctors still failed to come up with the appropriate cure for such natural physical degeneration.
There’s a saying that it’s a mortal sin to ask for a lady’s age and that’s because women, more than men, are meticulously conscious of their epochal status. But for some well-heeled and contentedly matured male counterparts, having aged with wrinkles only indicates where happiness and bliss had left their marks and furrows.
Having lived a fulfilled and contented life at 80, Paraluman “Ate Lumen” Castañeda has grown accustomed to her mortality and whatever is there that awaits in the sunset of her life. More than proud to have survived lengthily and endured the best and the worst during her lifetime, the silver-haired octogenarian can only look back at her past with a smile of gratification.
“Reflecting on my journey is one story I will never get tired of telling,” Ate Lumen straightforwardly said. “My fondest thoughts and prolific reminiscences of my past seem fascinating tales loaded with inspiring encouragements and stimulating accomplishments. I don’t really feel my age… I guess it’s just my silver locks that give away the long years that I’ve been on earth. My turning 80 is an achievement in the truest sense of the word. So far, I have no regrets… whatsoever!” she proudly stated.
“Yes, I admit, there are occasional memory lapses, but who doesn’t experience such? Even young people do forget sometimes. But thank God I’m free of Alzheimer’s. This, I always pray. Gradually losing my memory would be tantamount to slowly taking away my life and erasing (in a snail’s pace) the scores of memories I neatly treasured for years.”
“I have long prepared myself to turning 80… to enjoy the thrills and joy it will bring. At my life’s new chapter, I’m at a vantage point where I could nostalgically reflect and celebrate the various phases of my life in all its eight decades.” Then she cast a distant glance…blankly stared at the hall’s newly refurbished wall…as if trying to evade whatever follow-up question there might arise. But not too long she regained composure after having able to grasp the right words to support her initial statements.
“I have to admit, fear sometimes creeps from nowhere especially when I’m alone,” she uttered in a low but clear voice as she unmindfully played with her emerald-stoned ring that matched her pendant and earrings. “It will be aberrant to say that nearing my final destiny isn’t dreadful… something that scares me. I only pray that when time comes that I have to breathe my last, I wish I am well prepared to face my Creator,” she uttered with full conviction with neither a sign of ambiguity nor an indication of being morose.
In Astrology, Ate Lumen, being born on May 30th, is closely associated with Tarrot Card 8 of Swords which appears when one possibly allows fear to hold her back from the future. She should remember that prospect of failure must loom for there to be a possibility of success. The 8 of Swords encourages reflection and clarity in all matters of life, whether it be love, work, health or spirituality.
So the defining moment was celebrated with utmost pomposity and intimacy last Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel attended by no less than her family, colleagues in profession (she’s a retired teacher), and close friends.
There seems some truth when they say that 80 is the new 40 for Ate Lumen was like newly reenergized and at her prime by the way she moved around assiduously with precision and deportment.
On the occasion of her 80th birthday Ate Lumen looked radiant and ravishingly fashionable in her white gown intricately embellished with silver-grey and emerald green appliqués traced with beadwork. A fashion plate herself, she requested her guests to come in black and white attire that fittingly set a perfect ambience free from cacophonous atmosphere.
Ate Lumen, constantly beaming with her patented smile and unadulterated potency, personally welcomed her guests as she tirelessly hopped from table to table while cameras kept flashing relentlessly. After an almost five-hour gaiety of dancing and socializing, Ate Lumen’s energy had not diminished a bit. On the contrary she turned out to be doubly vibrant and more dynamic as the party neared its end.
The birthday celebrator’s merriment won’t be complete without a portion that showcased one of women’s vicious caprices—stylish and up-to-the-minute clothes and gowns. And so, after gathering passionately fashionable volunteers from among her guests, a mini fashion show ensued following an in-the-nick-of-time rehearsal.
Female models who exhibited their catwalk skills were Teresa Cabagui, Virgie Alvarez, Becky Samanyaphon, Hermie Garcia, Helen Castillo, Marilyn Martin, Dr. Elma Castillo, Ria Serrano, Joyce Aligarde, Laura Garcia, and Marieta Lamar.
Despite a limited number of male mannequins dashingly donned in their gala suits, Nanding Mendez, Dr. Rod Castillo, Suriya Samanyaphon, and Rolly Javier more than provided evidence of the less male cast with their electrifying presentation.
The birthday girl glamorously capped the mini fashion show with her innate fashion style as she treaded the runway escorted by her grandson, Jan Castañeda, who was equally debonair in his black tuxedo.
A touching moment left the guests gushed in surprise when the lady-of-the-hour called out names, recognized how they touched her life, and individually handed each a long stemmed yellow rose… her own way of acknowledging their good deeds that made her daily grind less taxing and lot easier.
Hale and healthy, Ate Lumen impressively maintains a good posture and an intact sanity sans exhibiting symptoms of senility, dementia, osteoporosis, diabetes, hearing impairment, balance, muscular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, hypertension, or cardiovascular ailment. Her aging process has been extraordinarily remarkable. If this isn’t aging graciously then where does one equate her extraordinary physical condition?
At this juncture, it’s but fitting and proper to recognize one of Ate Lumen’s sources of vigor who had made all bits and pieces fell on their right places …no other than her equally indefatigable daughter, Jennifer. She, with the same intensity of power like her mom, took charge of every situation and scenario to be assured that everything worked out as planned.
The next day, instead of taking her much-needed respite and be comfortably warmed beneath the comforts of her blanket and burying her head with luxury of her pillows, netizens were flabbergasted by Ate Lumen’s early updated Facebook posts:
“A blessed rainy day to all dear friends and family. May 30th was the day I was born 80 years ago. Thank you, Lord Almighty, for all the blessings you have given me all these years. Thank you for the protection wherever I go, for the guidance in everything I do, and for the everlasting love that embraces me.”
“Yesterday, the 31st, was another equally blessed day for being surrounded by my loving family: the Lapuzes from the Philippines, my sister-in-law and niece Nerissa Guevarra and Kaye from Arizona, and my dear, dear friends.”
“I regret that I was not able to invite you all but I wish I could.”
“To all of you, my heartfelt thanks for sharing your precious time to celebrate with me. To my PACCAL Family led by our President Emeritus Linda Mayo, my PAFCOM Family led by El Presidente Victor Sison, Connie Uy, Helen Castillo, and my UNIFFIED Family from NY, NJ, MD led by Lynne Ciocon, the Makilala TV ladies Cristina Pastor, Jen Jen Furer, and Maricor Fernandez.”
“Also, Thank You, the Morales Family, the Santos Family, the Parreño Family, the Titi Family, the Mansfield Family, the Mataquel Family, and to my friends who captured and recorded the occasion for posterity: Roland and Myrna Gutierrez, Loren San Diego, Velzon Hizon Velez, and Jujo Conol.”
“Ditto to my ‘adopted daughters’ Vivian T. Cruz, Weng Garana, Kay Habana, and Mayette Geraldino. And not to forget, my thanks to GMA lady Grace Labaguis and the whole cast of the mini fashion show. My thanks and gratitude to you all for making my day!”
“God bless us all and may He give us more years to be together in the future.”
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