90 cheers for Tita Lily!
There was a spring in her step when Tita Lily Cuna entered The Champagne Room of Manila Hotel to celebrate her 90th birthday with family and friends. She arrived at the venue in a red dress, ready to celebrate her life with her 90 invited guests.
Gaiety was the motif of the night; after all, it’s not every day that one gets to celebrate one’s nine decades of life and living. And Tita Lily was just a picture of joy and bliss. Spirited was her every step, especially when she saw her former officemates at Elizalde Group of Companies where she was the chief accountant and VP-treasurer.
The way she strutted here and there to welcome her guests at the Champagne Room displayed sure steps, an open heart and a wide smile. That night, her smile was as open as the sky.
Tita Lily, the aunt of my dearest friend Rachy Cuna, dubbed the “floral architect of the Philippines,” is a thoughtful soul. (She is kind and caring even to the close friends of her nieces and nephews. We checked on each other in the time of the strict lockdown and always, always the mirth of Tita Lily’s laughter was a balm to my soul.)
“The secret to long life is laughter,” she said. “No matter what life throws at you, always find time to smile.”
“I’m blessed with family and friends who care for me, who check on me, who are ready to bring a smile to my face. That’s another secret to a long life,” she added. What more can she ask for? “Nothing more. God has given me the sweetest, most fruitful 90 years of my life. I am grateful,” she said.
“I think Tita Lily’s secret to long life is her kind heart. And she keeps herself well informed about news and current events, even culture, entertainment and finance, by listening to AM radio stations, watching local and international news on TV, and reading newspapers. Her day is not complete without those activities,” Rachy said.
Rachy and Tita Lily, because they live next door to each other in the heart of Manila, share breakfast, lunch and dinner every day — up to the same hairdresser in the same salon.
Rachy’s brother, Richie Cuna, president of Milkin Corp. and international patent owner of Kurimi milk tea bar, said of his aunt, “She has the ears that listen, arms that hug and hold, a love that’s never-ending. Tita Lily has the biggest and warmest heart. We love her because she is everybody’s love and inspiration.”
“Tita Lily is a special kind of aunt for me. She is like my second mother,” said Gery Cuna Sabinosa, owner of the famous Tita Paring Suman Latik. “She can give you warm hugs and embraces, an open ear ready to listen, a love that’s unconditional, and a heart that’s gold. We are blessed because we have an aunt who inspires us in keeping the Cuna clan close and intact. She makes sure that we are closely knit together in all occasions and festivities. We are truly blessed for all her goodness, kindness, love and her generosity. No words are enough to describe how thankful we all are for having Tita Lily in our lives. I wish her more happy and healthy years ahead. We love her.”
Gery and his son Gerard Cuna serenaded Tita Lily that night in a program emceed by yours truly.
Businessman James “Babang” Cuna grew nostalgic when he pondered on what Tita Lily meant to him. He said, “Tita Lily has always been our ever-caring and loving aunt. You would really feel her love and concern for our Cuna clan through her generosity. I guess our family was one of those who really benefited from her generosity as she had always supported my dad and us during times of financial difficulties, especially during our school enrollment time.” Tita Lily — fun and funny to be with — is love.
Happy birthday, Tita Lily! *