By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

THROUGHOUT my life, I have mostly gravitated towards men and women who are wiser, gifted and crafted by life’s most intense and purposeful experiences. Most of them are my mentors, whose caring and nurturing energy continues to energize my existence even after they have passed on to another universe. Some others live to this day, approximating the longevity of those who lived in the Blue Zones.

Blue Zones are specific regions around the world whose populations have the exceptional quality of living longer and healthier, most of them reaching 100 years old, attributed to “lifestyle factors like plant-based diets, regular movement, strong social ties, and a sense of purpose also known as the “Power 9”. There may be more Blue Zones, but there are five regions officially identified: Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California, USA). There are regional specificities, but these regions have common core lifestyle principles, widely applicable for well-being and longevity.

Atsi Flor seems to have been transported from a Blue Zone to Sky Villas. I am not sure if she practices all the core lifestyle principles, but she is propelled by a very strong sense of purpose. I call Florangel Rosario Braid, “Achi”, or “Atsi” in Pangasinan. “Achi” comes from Hokkien Chinese, meaning elder sister, and has been borrowed by Pangasinan as a respectful term for older sisters. I wonder why I call the late Leticia Ramos-Shanani and the late Marietta Primicias Goco, “Manang”, when I should also refer to them as “Atsi”, since they all come from Pangasinan. I also wonder why I call Sister Mary John Mananzan, plain Mary John, and not “Atsi” or “Manang”, when she is also my elder and comes from Pangasinan. All these women are “Urdujas”, accomplished women deserving recognition for their lifetime contribution to Philippine society and a tribute to their roots in Pangasinan. All of them seemed to have been transported from the Blue Zone, considering their very long, unique and purposeful lives.

I don’t remember exactly when I met Atsi Flor, but I remember she invited me to attend a gathering of the Kaluyagan nen Palaris, an organization of Pangasinan leaders in various fields, where she said, we could dance. I was fascinated by her focus on the dance, and although I didn’t dance, I hopped in, in my denims, and she in her blue sequined Filipiniana dress. I didn’t see her dance either, but she hopped from one table to another, engaging in lively conversation in a predominantly Alpha-male organization.

This remembering makes me nostalgic for the days when everything in my life was spontaneous, but seemingly orchestrated by The Fates, who controlled destiny “by spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of life, personifying inescapable fate and ensuring universal order.”  Atsi Flor is destiny.

On New Year’s Eve, Atsi Flor, with her enthusiasm for life, came to my inbox: “Hi Gie! Can you join our small group – Give, Chona, Olive, Mon Tuazon. Jan 5 at 330pm. Just get together to welcome a new year”. I told her I will be coming from a chiropractic session with my sister Emma who will be driving, and without hesitation, she told me she will be happy to meet her.

On January 5, we arrived early to find a good friend, Connie Lopez-Madarang, already at Sky Villas. Then Chona Sienes. The rest dribbled their way in. We introduced ourselves to those we met for the first time. We exchanged gifts. Atsi Flor, as she promised, gifted me with her memoirs, “Tagpo: Right Place, Right Time”, where she said she included two pictures of me (pages 176 and 203). Genuine people. Beautiful “Atsis”. I honor my destiny.