Calisthenics, social causes keep centenarian Helena Benitez fit
Much has been said and written about a lady that I hold in highest esteem and affection, my godmother Helena Zoila Benitez. She was my mother’s (Natividad Osorio Aguinaldo) childhood friend as Helena’s mother, the famed educator Francisca Tirona Benitez, was my mother’s ninang. It was natural that when I was born, Helena would in turn be my godmother to complete the cycle of deep friendship between our families.
As she turns a century old, Helena has empowered us for most of her life by paving the way for the limitless possibilities that a Filipina can achieve — a foremost educator, senator and public servant, founder of the world-famous Bayanihan Folk Dance Company, co-founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (with Josefa Llanes Escoda), diplomat, the first Filipina to have chaired the UN Commission on the Status of Women and civic leader who has been given several hundreds of awards from all parts of the globe. Not content with all these, this amazing centenarian can be found doing her daily calisthenics to keep fit, meeting friends and family, and serves as the chairperson of the board of trustees of the Philippine Women’s University, the first university for women in Asia founded by Asians.
Through the years, I have always admired how she wears the terno proudly here and abroad. With her elegant stance and vibrant spirit, she has been an outstanding example of a Filipina with her grace, intelligence, compassion and love for her fellowmen.
When her nieces Lyca Benitez Brown and Suzie Benitez, together with the super capable Delia Pineda, reminded me about her 100th birthday, there was no other place to be than to show up in Mira Nila, the Benitez ancestral house in Quezon City. Cardinal Luis Tagle celebrated the afternoon Mass with Frs. Paul Marquez, Wency Serafica and Roger Alarcon. It was truly a time for thanksgiving. The merienda cena was a delicious culinary tribute focusing on Tagalog specialties from the Cavite and Laguna regions where the Benitezes hail. There were even several dishes that I had never tasted before but was happily surprised since I ended up going back for seconds — pancit pusit, hipon ginataang and menudo with quesong puti.
The younger generation of the Benitez clan, PWU Vocale Ensemble’s Lena McKenzie, Lara Maigue and Myra Bartolome, provided entertainment that evening, reminding one of genteel times when after-dinner musicals were the norm when one had special guests.
At the end of the evening, ninang Helen was still very much alert and cheerful in her golden yellow terno as she held my hand, asking me what kept me busy and interested in life. Always curious and full of dynamism, she enthused, “My message, especially to young people is, wherever you go, go with enthusiasm.”
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