Lola Epay At 85

Lola Epay at 85.

Taga Ibaan Ako

A certain dictum goes like "bad grass lives longer" (mahaba ang buhay ng masamang damo). This line pertains to those who decided to take wayward life paths. Contrary to this, being a patriotic country as part of Spanish culture, we also have "you can never put a good man down". That includes men with good hearts who can actually outlive those mean grass. Now, lingering on its angle, it doesn't mean men can remain afoot on the ground than women. And Lola Epay has proven that at the age of 85.

Wedding portrait of Lola Epay
and Lolo Ponce in 1951.

Last March 19, coinciding the feast of Saint Joseph, Josefa "Epay' Patena added another thread of golden hair on her head when she celebrated her 85th year with her siblings at Brgy. Coliat, Ibaan, Batangas. Hers sons and daughters, including grand children wielded another unbreakable will to show their love and respect for their matriarch as foods and festivities were set in grandeur in her honor.

The Patena Family, 1970.

No. Lola Epay does not belong with the elite born with silver spoon on her mouth. She's just a typical Ibaena who has lived all of her life looking after her family alone. That's why it shouldn't be a surprise to see her family in full force in celebrating her pre-centennial birthday. And now that she has come to her age, carrying a heart rich with humility,  it's an envy how she's being taken cared of and respected by her family.

Lola Epay married Lolo Ponce Patena in August 29, 1951. Since then, they lived in Coliat I where they had their house built in April 1956. Their house remains stand-still at the same location where they had the pillars and foundations of their family was established. Although there some modifications already made, the house's features can still anyone back in time.

Lola Epay in 1951 photo.

Unfortunate, in his mid-40s, Lolo Ponce dies of heart failure. Lola Epay was left with eight kids to raise on her own. But with hard work and perseverance, earning a living  as a sewer of then Ibaan's famous kulambo and other clothing apparels, she was able to give keep her family intact and close to each other. Of course, there are times when one of the siblings has to start their own family. But their current status, Lola Epay has given justice to blood and sweat she has shed for them.

Lola Epay's charming character, still evident at her flashy smile, has also commanded respect from the community. This can be seen on the volume of visitors who stormed their dining table on that particular day. Everyone came wishing for our Almighty God to continuously keep her under His wings and to enjoy life better with good health and worry-free.

There are still more to life for Lola Epay to enjoy. And for that, may she forever remain young for her family to be given more time to return the life she has given them.

Can you tell who's who in this photo and those in photos below? Hmnn...

Some of Lola Epay's relatives and friends.

Ka Reming??