She lives in Hawaii, as all of the members of her family are now there. Before, they were in Guam when the family migrated from the Philippines. At 73, she doesn’t look her age, especially as she goes for casual wear like cargo walking shorts and spaghetti t-shirts when times are hot, as in during summer. Her face is powdery fine and almost wrinkle-free, though she doesn’t apply anything on it, no wrinkle crèmes, not even face powder, if you believe me. But it’s really true!

If you call it her secret (though she is open about it), she religiously – sort of her second nature already – takes, or drinks, the juice made from boiled ampalaya leaves, or some other herbal leaves, call it weeds for some. Anyway, this is a kind of diet intake also, which I agree is healthy, not only for the skin but also for the general well-being of the body.

She treats her problems with laughter, not worrying too much about life or her family (she went through really tough times) or financial matters such as paying the bills or looking for cheap car insurance. She is healthy and jolly, our amazing auntie, and we surely miss her!