Remember when 70 was touted as the new 40?  That was so last millennium.  Today 80 is the new 50: Time to refresh, recharge, start new adventures now that humans are living longer, getting stronger, and finding greater purpose. For doing that and inspiring the next generation, nine Filipino Americans received the title “Grand Agers” from ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment, a nonprofit organization promoting elder care and elder abuse prevention.  

1. Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, 80ish

Few have had more influence on Filipinos on both sides of the Pacific than Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, who directed now-classic films in her native Philippines before reigniting her career as the first Fil-Am to direct a morning television show in California.

Aquino Kashiwahara is an astute political strategist, something in her DNA as daughter to PH Assembly Speaker Benigno Aquino Sr. and sister to Philippine National Hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the late Senators Butz Aquino, and Tessie Aquino Oreta.

Lupita, however, thrives behind the scenes she stealthily engineers. When then-Assembly Member Rob Bonta’s name first emerged as a prospect for Attorney General, she summoned her longtime allies to action to enlighten Governor Gavin Newsom on the wisdom of naming the first Fil-Am AG.

Marivic Bamba Chennault is a witness.

“From my perspective, Tita Lupita is timeless. Her passions haven’t waned, particularly when it comes to supporting Filipino Americans in their quest for political ascendancy,” says the former director of the SF Human Rights Commission.

“She always tells me she is slowing down, but her quick wit and ideas about ways to support any given community cause during our various conversations reflect the opposite,” reveals Chennault, who’s now Western Region Director of national builder Clark Construction.

“I will never forget her for being there early on in my career as a public official, selflessly offering her support and guidance. She has a no-holds barred way of putting things in perspective that I have come to appreciate because she has lived through many experiences.”

2. Antonio Paulino, 81

San Francisco is a new frontier twice over for Antonio Paulino, 81, a deacon at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Daly City.

The first People Power installed the Philippines’ first woman President, Corazon “Cory” Aquino. Her Vice President was Salvador “Doy” Laurel, who also headed the Department of Foreign Affairs. Laurel appointed Paulino to the consulate general in San Francisco as its administrative officer in 1986.

Paulino had had a fling with diplomacy as administrator of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Foundation. But when his consulate term ended, he turned his attention to his faith. He entered the diaconate program of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and was ordained in 1999.

“Deacon Tony Paulino and I served together at St. Anthony Catholic Church for five years. He handled the English baptisms and regular Sunday preaching. But what really struck me was his willingness to serve on the parish finance committee,” remembers Rev. James Garcia, who is familiar with his colleague’s original vocation. “It's one thing to enjoy the limelight of the liturgy; it's quite another to create a budget and balance the books. Tony took on all of this in retirement! Some people collect laurels...Tony just kept on giving.”

3. Cynthia Arnaldo-Bonta, 83

Cynthia Arnaldo Bonta has been in the news more than usual amid the success her son, Attorney General Rob Bonta. Besides the AG, mental health/sports performance specialist Lisa B. Sumii and diversity, equity and inclusion blogger Marcelo complete the pioneer social justice activist’s brood of achievers.

The Laguna-born organizer’s life of public service is widely known and documented. So is her nurturance of youths.

Through her eyes, many of today’s leaders vicariously experience and aspire to honor the struggle of immigrant pioneers. She is ready to share her encounters with icons of Fil-Am empowerment, as she did on Larry Itliong Day at Filipino Advocates for Justice in Oakland headed by executive director Geraldine Alcid.

“I first met Mrs. Bonta as a teenager in 1992 where her organization, the Philippine National Day Association, began lifting up Filipino students with scholarships as they pursued college. The name of the award was called the gintong lahi which is fitting to describe Mrs. Bonta's fire, passion, and love for the community,” says Alcid, who succeeded Lillian Galedo, also a Bonta mentee who served for 40 years.

“Her life has been dedicated to fighting injustice, amplifying Filipino voices and experiences and preparing the next generation of movement leaders grounded in the same love. She exemplifies being a steward of our shared gintong lahi, golden legacy of resilience, and she's nowhere near quitting,” Alcid adds. “Twenty years later, I'm privileged to work with her again through FAJ, where she's a beloved leader. I'm one of thousands she has seeded over the years where she's been generous with her time and mentorship. Without her, I would not be here today.”

4. Perla Ibarrientos 86

When bigwigs want to reach Daly City Filipino Americans, they seek out Perla Ibarrientos, a town Personnel Commissioner.

Ibarrientos co-founded the Daly City Filipino Organizing Project, prototype of PBRC- Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center. Her title says board chair emerita, but she is far from retired. She sits on the Daly City Task Force on Age-Friendly Cities Initiative to ensure safety and independence of older adults. Though no longer the president of the Filipino American Democratic Club, she oversees annual Independence Day rites of her two home countries.

She is second mother to many officials including Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, who asked her to be a principal sponsor at her wedding.

“Tita Perla has so much energy; her love for community and giving back never ceases. Her support is tremendous from my public duties to my family life— she is deeply caring. I visit her for instance for Mother’s Day; on the other hand she will call me to stop by and she will have sweet gestures like a vintage broach or her Obama memorabilia she passes on to me,” ” says Manalo. “I’m blessed she’s my ninang with her wisdom, guidance and love.”

5. Vangie Canonizado Buell, 88

Filipina Women’s Network CEO Marily Mondejar aptly identifies Vangie Buell as “the Fil-Am community’s living legend.” Buell bears the scars of racial prejudice as the granddaughter of a “Buffalo Soldier,” African Americans who fought in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.

The author of “Twenty-Five Chickens and a Pig for a Bride”, Buell captivates audiences of all ages with her books and on stage.

Performing in the 2004 Vagina Monologues, she wowed newfound friends for her grace and talents -- singing, playing musical instruments, and acting.

“She’s been an avid supporter and donor of FWN since she joined in 2004, attending all our local events even on a wheelchair,” discloses Mondejar, who headlined Buell just last week at a Zoom storytelling event.

“My best experience with her was her participation in the first The Vagina Monologues in 2004 at the Herbst Theatre. She never skipped a rehearsal and her dramatic readings of ‘The Flod’ and ‘I Was There in the Room” are unforgettable,” Mondejar echoes a commonly held observation.

6. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, 89

Thanks to Fred and Dorothy Cordova, the history of Filipino America is preserved. As Seattle University students in 1957, they promoted Fil-Am identity, formed Filipino Youth Activities and collected research and oral histories that laid the foundation for what is now the Filipino American National Historical Society or FANHS and its 38 US chapters today.

San Francisco State University professor Dan Gonzalez captures now-widow Dorothy’s persona:

“Addressed as Auntie Dorothy by the thousands who were in their youth when they came to know her and Uncle Fred, and as “Dorth” by her age-peers, she is – above all else – a sublime lover. (Eight children with Fred, after all.) Auntie Dorothy persuades people, who would never have done so otherwise, to work on projects great and small,” he says.

“She convinces folks to share their stories and disclose things they held secret for generations and then struggles to acquire the means to archive them. She is advisor, confidante, comic, humorist, organizer, the gentlest of leaders, a most respected diplomat, and a humble scholar. All this she can do because of her cosmic capacity to love.”

Gonzalez hails her exuberance: “She loves stories as pieces our history, but, more importantly, she loves the people who share their stories for who they are, not only what they are. Their pictures, their documents – she loves it all. She loves the people who gather the stories and bring them to FANHS. She loves the colors and sounds, the musicality of the stories. She is excited by the continuing prospect of preserving our history in this nation-space and across time. Such a level and scope of love is truly irreplaceable, and that is as it should be.”

Gonzalez reminds: “We do not replace heroines, we admire them, we emulate them – to the extent we can. We support them for who they are, not only what they are. Dorothy Laigo Cordova is yet here, and so available for us to return her Great Love. Do that – please.”

7. Aurea Ocampo Cruz, 89

Colma resident Aurea Ocampo Cruz completed 12 years of service as a member of the San Mateo County Commission on Aging three years ago while presiding over the Holy Angels Parish Legion of Mary and tenants of her residential building.

On the CoA, she welcomed new members, especially Fil-Ams, relating the commission’s history and policies.

“Ate Auring is a very helpful, generous, and intelligent person. She has a great personality and is pleasure to work with,” says Commissioner Walter Batara.

Cruz is a beacon of “dedication and commitment to serve the religious community,” says Allen Capalla, president of Our Lady of Mercy Church Legion of Mary, “and that makes her a good role model.”

“I find her to be intelligent in contributing ideas to promote our works of mercy,” notes Capalla, an rising community leader. “She is optimistic, a decision maker. She makes it a point to encourage exchange of ideas and motivate members to speak freely. She is kind and loving.”

8. Conchita La’O Taylor, 90

Friends marveled at San Franciscan Chita Taylor's physique, toned by her athleticism, in her 70s. Two decades later, she immerses herself in the spiritual, drawing many with her.

“I see her at least once a week at Christian meditation meetings, although she occasionally drops by my house with religious magazines and reading materials she subscribes to, passing them on to me,” shares Nellie Hizon, controller of ABS-CBN International when it was led by Taylor’s ex-husband.

“Chita assisted so many, regardless of their status in life. One former housekeeper found herself abused financially by her then-husband, from whom she's divorced now. Chita quietly extended support in various ways, finding counselors and giving encouragement.”

Hizon most appreciates Taylor for being “down-to-earth,” admires her “honesty, simplicity, and loving care” despite her affluence and privilege.

9. Peter Jamero, 91

Peter Jamero is a proud member of the ”Bridge Generation,” U.S.-born children of the “Manong and Manang,” the first Filipino Immigrants.

Born in Oakdale, California, in 1930, he traces his transformation from “farm worker to social worker to health and human services executive to university professor to writer of Filipino American history.”

A founding member and former vice president of FAHNS, Jamero is an eyewitness to the waves of immigration, using his popular blog to bridge (yes!) his generation with the children of the children of those who followed. He empathizes with their tribulations, trumpets their successes, and kindles their involvement. Like he did with retired broadcast journalist and university journalism professor Lloyd LaCuesta

“I have known Peter for many years and once served as a board member on one of his nonprofit organizations,” says LaCuesta, who volunteers with humanitarian groups. “He taught me the value of serving the community and serves as a role model in continuing to serve at whatever age. Peter Jamero is a treasure and his insightful commentaries are gifts for everyone.”

San Francisco Bay Area-based Cherie M. Querol Moreno learned empathy, courage and responsibility from her journalist parents. The Positively Filipino and Inquirer.net correspondent is executive editor of Philippine News Today.

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"Grand Agers" Prove 80 Is the new 50