Conversation with a 100-year old ‘Miss Dagupan’

By Eva C. Visperas

I’m sure everyone wants to have a long life, except maybe those who have piles of insurmountable problems and are already losing hope that they will ever overcome their miseries.

We all have our worst times. But just hang on. You will emerge a better person after the storm.

Last week, I had the chance to interview a centenarian earlier featured in this paper for her birthday celebration.

To my surprise, Luisa Demetria Legaspi Maramba, married to the late Engr.Jose Parayno of Calasiao town, can still talk clearly and recall vividly important dates and persons  in her life. Our “birthday girl” is the oldest living Miss Dagupan.

She is Bai Metring.

Here’s part of my interview. We conversed in the Pangasinan dialect. Note that I didn’t have to repeat my questions as she was quick to respond. But I just had to speak close to her ears.

 Q: When were you crowned Miss Dagupan?

Bai Metring: 1930

Q: When were you married?

A: 1937

 Q: Your daughter Purita is arriving from the US, I was told.

A: What time is the plane arriving? I want to go and fetch her.

 Q: You’re still beautiful up to now. Maybe you had many suitors then?

A: I’m not beautiful. Maybe they like my attitude.

Q: What foods do you eat?

A: I’m not choosy. I eat anything.

After several questions more, she repeatedly asked me who I am and my companion Cesar Ramirez (who was taking pictures). So, I explained our purpose.

Then she asked: “Why didn’t you ask me how long I taught music?” Taken aback, I laughed, and so I did. She said “32 years”.

Bai Metring, according to her very loyal assistant, 80 year-old Cristina Cobo alias “Itay” who stayed on with her and had remained single, was like that. She talks a lot if she likes the person she’s talking to. That made me feels good.

She said she will wait for her daughter Purita Biglete’s arrival from Florida, USA. Mothers are like that. Every opportunity for a reunion with their children is always treasured, every moment a gift, especially to those whose children are away from them, studying or working in a far place.

My meeting with Bai Metring will always be a precious one. She reminded me of how life could be 10, 20, 30 or more years from now.

But what amazed me most is her love for her dear hubby Peping. Nobody reminds her that Peping had been dead years ago.  Everyday, she’s longing for the homecoming of Peping. Maybe the floods caused the delay of his return, she surmised. She said she even asked Itay to sew two sets of pajamas for Peping. Then I was shown pictures of their 50th wedding anniversary plus the first Valentine card Peping gave her.

What a beautiful love!

 

 (You can also read this writer’s other stories at http://businessblog.prepys.com.)

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