Matilde Calderon Moguel (My Lola Mama) Celebrates Her 100th Birthday!

Matilde Calderon Moguel will be celebrating her 1ooth Birthday on Sunday, March 14, 2010! Party has been set on Saturday at Brookside Golf Club, Los Angeles. Pa flew last Saturday to join the rest of the clan. I have to stay here with Ma.

Being the first grandchild, I am the one most blessed to have the privilege of spending much time with her when she was my age now. And how I wish that we were equipped with the technology gadgets this age enjoys so I could have made an audio or video journals of all her stories.

Lola used to bring me to relatives in Pasay, Pasig, and Santa Ana. She knew best how to connect with her roots. While we made our journey, she talked about the different people we visited and the beautiful royal lineage and the historic heritage of the Calderon Clan.

I would not want to miss out on how Lola used to spend her time most. She will be most remembered as a very religious lady. We used to go to all processions and attend all fiestas. To date, I've never missed Antipolo during the month of May. I bet you all in the family that you've also never missed Sunday Mass! This religiosity came the examples she has set.

I missed Lola when she went to America. But when she comes back to the Philippines, her trips are almost spent the same way as any other. She makes time to visit Lolo's grave, she reconnects with her family and visits each one of them from Dimasalang to Pasig to Santa Ana. She visits all the churches that have been a part of her life - Quiapo, Baclaran, and Sta. Cruz. She eats lots of pastillas, queso de bola, pork and still drinks a lot of coffee in between meals.

Across the miles, I send my greetings:

Lola, Congratulations on your 3-digit Birthday! What an awesome milestone for any person to reach! My gratitude to our Creator for this celebration of your life and the beauty it had brought to all of us.

Lola, thank you for the gift of love. Thank you for the miracles you created, not the least of which was the one that created ME! It has been worth having my Lola Mama! Thank you that you gave me refuge, love, warmth and care during my formative years.

This family has been blessed by your long life. You have made this family a beautiful tribe and kept it intact. You are our hub and despite our differences and even if we are all separated by oceans, you've made us deal well with family dynamics. You have been our inspiration. Thank you for your strength, determination and spirituality. May you continue making memories! God's richest blessings to you on your special day! Happy 100th Birthday, my beloved Lola!