“God is our priority in everything; give thanks because he is the source of perfect gifts”
Nearly 127 years after the Basi Revolt in the northern town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte erupted on September 16, 1807, Anunciacion Duldulao was born on March 25, 1934.
Sixty-seven years later, she was to take her oath, before Judge Iluminada Ines in Pinili, where warriors walked during the Philippine-American War and the Japanese occupation in the 1940s, as local chief executive under bright Ilocos sunshine.
The mother of seven children and 20 grandchildren, and 11 more great grandchildren years later, was taking over the helm of the local government unit from her husband, retired Army Colonel Samuel Pagdilao Sr. – a position she held for two more terms.
Today, the educator-turned public servant, who holds a doctorate in education from the Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila, remains an active member of her town’s Sangguniang Bayan.
Years earlier, the 1.49-meter Dr. Pagdilao, who also worked for some time in Mindanao molding young minds, retired as Senior Planning Analyst from the Office of the Planning Service of the Department of Education in Manila.
She admits there has not been any change in her diet, in physical energy except a dimming vision 14 years ago but has since been corrected following a cataract operation in October last year.
The 2009 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee, given by the Civil Service Commission for extraordinary act of public service and consistent demonstration of exceptional ethical behavior, also admits taking maintenance medicines to control hypertension since seven years back, takes 12 glasses of water every day and sodas occasionally but no wine.
We were able to have an exchange of views with the God-fearing and lens-wearing likable public servant, in between her crafting resolutions and drafting proposed ordinances for eventual presentation in the town’s SB meetings.
We got a mirror of her character as a public servant, ascendant, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother as well as her philosophies and beliefs as an elderly.
GG: How do you handle physical and psychological stress now? Was there more stress when you were still working or what?
AP: I just pray when I feel tired. I go to rest and sleep.
GG: What time do you retire to bed? What time do you wake
up now that you are retired or as an elderly. What’s your meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner?
AP: Early to bed and early to rise is my habit ever since. I have not changed, except when activities required me to sleep late.
Generally, my diet is the same with little variation when invited to parties.
My breakfast consists of one egg, rice and coffee with cream and honey, and two glasses of warm water.
Lunch, I have rice and vegetables and a big chunk of chicken specially legs.
For dinner, I have less rice, pinakbet (a typical Ilocano cuisine with sauteed mixed vegetables with fish or shrimp sauce), fish broiled or fried with tomatoes.
GG: Are you active in community activities, including those in religious organizations?
AP: I am very active in planning, budgeting, implementing projects or programs.
As a public servant, I am committee chairman in various government organizations, and chairman of the board of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, an ecumenical protestant denomination committed and dedicated in manifesting prophetic witness of the Church.
GG: At what age did you start feeling you are physically weaker than previously?
AP: At age 85.
GG: What is your secret, if any, for biologically aging gracefully?
AP: I always smile and keep my thoughts clean.
I pray always for my children, and I never entertain hatred but love, even (for) the unlovely.
GG: Are there things you now remember as an elderly that you should have done when you were younger?
AP: Yes, my husband and I used to travel together.
We were able to visit at our old age the Holy Land, China, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. We would have enjoyed more if we were younger.
GG: How do you address the fact of getting old?
AP: Part of life development. There is no turning back.
GG: Would you hide your true age? If so, any reason, if not, why not?
AP: No, I don’t. I am proud to tell (my age) because getting old in age shows wisdom. Besides looks reveal it anyway.
GG: Lessons in life you would like to inculcate in the minds of your offspring?
AP: God first. He is our priority in everything; give thanks because he is the source of perfect gifts.
GG: Do you let your children make their decisions on their own, or do you try to influence their decisions?
AP: They make their decisions in life but I give encouragement and guidance.
GG: Your philosophy in life, as a person, as a public servant.
AP: Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam, 15:22).
And the Golden Rule precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .” This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian’s duty to his neighbor and states a fundamental ethical principle.
GG: Do you have fears as an elderly?
AP: No, I always consider that God is with me.
I feel at ease when alone or when with a group. I can relate myself to any situation in life.
When my husband left (in May 2021) I (have since become) prepared; someday I will join him, he just went ahead.
What makes me confident is that he is now resting in peace and that his mission on earth is finished.
My mission is not yet finished; I linger a little bit more to finish my task.
After that I know he is there to welcome me home where God prepared a place for us.