Naty at Ninety

Just as her granddaughter Patricia Sotto observed, what strikes many about Natividad “Naty” De Mesa Sotto is her youthfulness. At 90, she is still a head turner with her American mestiza good looks and the sprite in her step.

“Basta sa mall, I don’t need a wheelchair,” says “Nanay” Naty. And this well-travelled great-grandmother is talking about malls in the US!

During a surprise birthday party given to her by her children Danny and Vangie, Ping and Valerie, and Celia, I asked Nanay Naty the secret to her youthful good looks.

“I do what everybody else does, sleep, wake up, eat, take a bath,” she revealed nonchalantly, then added, “And I always wash my face with Dove.”

Celia says her mother has no special diet, but avoids pork. Her Sundays are not complete without Mass.

Her grandsons Michael, Mark, Jay and Miguel love their Lola for her caring ways and generosity, and marvel at her marathon prayers. She can pray tirelessly, but can also chat with her grandchildren with the same intensity.

My sister Val, who is Nanay Naty’s daughter-in-law, says she learned to be a good homemaker by observing Nanay during her first years of marriage. Aside from child-rearing tips, she learned such cooking techniques as choosing the right size of  onions, so one need not store the leftovers of the pungent bulb.

Nanay Naty’s grandson Miguel, who prepared a polished video presentation of his Lola’s life, captured her essence. The video showed that Nanay was a devoted wife — she was always behind her late husband Fernando’s wheelchair after his illness, even while they were visiting the Niagara Falls in Canada. And was she a jetsetter (actually, she still is) — she reminds me of the character of Rose (after Jack) in Titanic, seizing every moment, going places. In fact, she is raring to go on her next trip. When Val suggested Korea, Nanay quipped, “Ay nakarating na ako roon!”

So, who knows how far Nanay Naty will go in the next 10 years or more?

Living longer, looking younger need not take extraordinary measures. Nanay says her daily life is pretty basic (“tulog, gising, hilamos”) — but she goes beyond the basics from time to time (she recently travelled to Japan) to have a truly extraordinary life.

From Red Velvet to Pink Rose this Valentine’s

Treat your loved one to an intimate meal for two: Start with Nic’s Tuscan Tomato Soup — sweet Italian tomatoes simmered in garlic and fresh basil topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Try its French Onion Soup topped with baguette and melted mozzarella. Sidings come in BBQ Pork slid in soft steamed buns. Baked Salmon Crunch with a hint of spice is shared with Chicken Parmigiana. Wine for two is free! Finish your meal by indulging in Nic’s Red Velvet Cake.

Nic’s Pink Rose Cake is undeniably the lightest chiffon cake covered in French butter cream frosting. A real Valentine treat!

(For reservations, call Nic’s Bakeshop at 958-5574 or 0999-9933234. Offer is from Feb. 11 to 14. Nic’s Bakeshop is located at G/F, Phase 1B, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. Visit www.nics.com.ph, www.facebook.com/nicsbakeshop or @nicsph on Instagram. E-mail [email protected].) (You may e-mail me at [email protected].)