“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed. If you think in terms of ten years, plant trees. If you think in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” -Confucius
Catalina Magbanua Carinal is probably the epitome of what Chinese philosopher Confucius had in mind when he uttered that proverb.
Catalina or Lola Tali as she is fondly called by her brood recently celebrated her 100th year surrounded by all her nine children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, family and friends during Easter Sunday at Las Palmas Resort in Bacolod.
In that proverb, Confucius actually meant that one’s legacy is nurturing and investing in your children, their children and children’s children.
And indeed Lola Tali did just that and more as raising nine children single-handedly was not easy. You see, Lola Tali was widowed at a young age of 34. She was not even aware that she was pregnant with her youngest child, Judith, at the time her husband, Jose, suddenly passed away.
Life was not all rosy for Lola Tali. At her 100th year party, her children recounted how they would take turns waking up early to accompany their mother to sell coffee at the La Carlota market every morning. Life was hard but Lola Tali made sure that there was at least food on the table, a roof over their heads and all the children get a good education.
Alone, Lola Tali was able to produce two military men, one who retired as a general, a commerce graduate, three teachers, an agriculturist and a psychology student. Judith recently retired after working for several years in Dubai, just in time to facilitate her mom’s birthday celebration.
As each child handed over their treasure to their mom, their message was consistent – our mother is the glue that binds us together, the blanket that warms our entire family and the strength that inspires us to see the beauty in life despite the hardships.
These values were passed on by her children to their 27 children who are all professionals and 42 great grandchildren, most of whom came home to celebrate this milestone while a few sent their message of love via video from the United States, Dubai, and London. La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalandoon also sent his birthday greetings via video and as part of her centennial celebration, Lola Tali is expected to receive a gift of P100,000 from the local government unit and another P100,000 from the provincial government.
Our family has come to know almost all of the Carinals because one of the daughters, Lynn, or Bebing as we all call her, worked as my late mother’s medical assistant and still continues to help out with my sister, Dr. May Irene Rife and my niece, Dr. Mutya Varona.
Bebing was in our life before she even got married to Rodolfo Casia and she became Bebing Espina to differentiate her from another Bebing, now Hinlo, who used to work for Dr. Lucia Iledan, who went around as Bebing Iledan.
Our Bebing has been an anchor for the family and never misses out on family occasions as we are in their important family gatherings up to now and we are glad to have been part of Lola Tali’s 100th year.
It was fun to take part in the trivia contest Lola Tali’s grandchildren came up with. Questions like, which came first, Lola Tali or the electric fan, made people laugh. But surprisingly, there were interesting facts mentioned that indeed Lola Tali came before many of these little comforts in life where invented.
Long life is probably in their genes as all children are very much alive to this day with Betty, the eldest, already 81 years old. However, if you ask Lola Tali what her secret is, she will tell you, its prayers and her being a vegetarian.
But because not all children are vegetarian, pork lechon and lechon baka were served to guests, to my delight.
It was indeed a celebration you would not want to miss as it is not often that you know of someone who lives through 100 years. What is even more amazing is the fact that Lola Tali is still sprightly and as her children joked, while she may pretend she cannot hear sometimes, when you whisper something interesting, she joins the conversation immediately.
Happy Birthday again Lola Tali and God bless you more.*