Longevity secrets

Last January 3, I went to my hometown to attend the birthday of my beloved tatay, Don Daniel Calimlim. Tatay Daniel’s birthday is one of the most awaited annual events in our town of San Fabian in Pangasinan. Many people turn up to greet him and take part in the celebration that offers a sumptuous variety of delicious foods and enjoyable provincial delights.

Tatay Daniel and his wonderful wife, Nanay Nena, adopted me when I was four years old, took care of me, and treated me like their very own child. My early formative years were molded with their tender loving care and guidance.

Tatay Daniel just turned 92 years old. Now, that is amazing, especially during these days of great stress and life-shortening tension. Still blessed with clear eyes and a sharp mind, Tatay Daniel shares his secrets to a long and fruitful life.

The Top Three Factors

In the midst of the bustling celebration, Tatay Daniel reminded me to always be conscious of three things in life: food, rest, and exercise. He recommends eating quality foods – those that give you energy, power, and strength.

When I was young, he taught me to eat raw eggs. He had a big poultry yard so we always had an abundant supply of fresh eggs. I also remember that our cupboards were always stocked with Bear Brand milk, and we had a nightly drinking ritual that he made more entertaining with interesting fables and stories. Of course, our dining table always had fresh fish (Tatay had a fleet of fishing boats then); pinakbet, a delectable Ilocano dish of green and yellow vegetables; and fresh fruits.

Rest and sleep are very important for Tatay. According to him, the body needs to recharge like a battery and resting it would provide the time for it to revitalize and heal itself. A short catnap during the day can be wondrous and refreshing, and there is nothing as restful as a full night’s sleep.

To keep the body toned and flexible, exercise is paramount. Even at the age of 92, Tatay diligently exercises every morning. He does some gentle stretching and breathing exercises to keep his muscles from weakening with age. He is part of an akar-akar (walk-walk) group, so named because they stroll around the town to exercise, and to see and discover the wonderful rural sights.

The Three Ps

According to Tatay, there are three Ps that you must take great care of if you want a long and fruitful life. The first "p" is peace of mind. This means that you should not be bothered by conscience-related problems, harbor no guilt and ill-feelings in your heart. You should also endeavor to live a life with a minimum of worries. You can achieve this by having a positive frame of mind and maintaining the staunch confidence that you can tackle whatever problems may come your way. Making sure that your finances are in good condition, too, can free you of unnecessary financial worries.

The second "p" is public relations. Tatay Daniel upholds, "The success of your social life depends on good public relations." Being a good man in society and being of service to other people are important in living a significant life. Tatay was the town’s vice mayor in his younger days and he knows that helping others is both fulfilling and rewarding. Truly, how you treat others is how they would treat you; respect begets respect.

And the third "p" is prayer. Tatay Daniel believes in the power of prayer. He always advises me never to forget God for He is the giver of everything in life. "God is our source, our strength," he exclaims. And Tatay not only walks his talk by praying, he puts his prayers to action as well. A few years ago, he built a delightful little chapel in a remote area in San Fabian so the people there would find a place to pray, reflect, and soul-search without having to walk or travel far to town.

One Sweet, Final Secret

Tatay Daniel and Nanay Nena share a wonderful secret that has seen them through thick and thin, and that is … love. One manifestation of their love for each other is this: No matter how hungry he is, Tatay would wait for Nanay whenever it is time to eat. He would not eat if Nanay is not by his side. And Nanay, on the other hand, even if she is actually full, would eat just to accompany Tatay at the dining table. I think that is absolutely utterly romantic!

Even in their old age, Tatay and Nanay still find time to have private moments together. As Nanay related stories about how Tatay would still gently kiss and caress her, the birthday guests howled and screamed in amusement and delight, egging her on to tell more little naughty private stories.

Tatay Daniel is 92 and Nanay Nena is 85, but they are as youthful in their old age as the day they met many, many years ago. Now, that is remarkable and truly enviable!

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