‘My Secret of Living 100 Years-I Drank Lots of Coffee’- Centenarian Christine Lobo, Wife of a Coffee Planter

‘My Secret of Living 100 Years-I Drank Lots of Coffee’- Centenarian Christine Lobo, Wife of a Coffee Planter, (Late) Thomas Lobo,(who died at age of 91 in 2007) of Kalpane/Kulshekar-Mangaluru

Mangaluru: While looking at her today, 24 June 2020, on her 100th BIRTHDAY, who is barely five feet tall, one can say that she is a force of a woman. Perfectly fit, weighing within 40 kgs (which she has always been within that number all throughout her life), her memory still strong where she can remember the past history, even call family members by their names- a family of 51 living at present, with three deceased (her husband, her one son and a great-grandchild, which would have made a family of 54 today)), and living on this earth is one heck of a milestone and her spine straightening with pride each time her family members, relatives and friends tell her it’s her 100th birthday.

And this ‘Centenarian Birthday Girl’ is Christine Lobo Nee D’Silva, presently residing at her house named “Kalpane House”, in Kalpane/Kulshekar, Mangaluru, since 1952. And I had the greatest opportunity to meet this octogenarian on her 100th birthday, and she indeed showed a kind gesture welcoming a stranger (me), whom she hasn’t met during her 100 years of life. As she looked still young, it was hard to guess that Christine had just turned 100 years old. Sitting behind a large frosty white and chocolate-coloured cake, she was in all smiles and with happy tears in her eyes, as she looked around a few of her children, family members, relatives and friends. “She loved living her life, and She still does.” said her son, Oswald. When asked how she felt about turning 100 years old, she joked saying, she felt tired but continued to talk about the love she has for her family and friends.

And when asked, what was the secret to her longevity and enduring appeal- she said with a BIG smile “Being a wife of a coffee planter, I drank lots of coffee all my life, which has kept me out of sickness and also to reach this age. You need to be active to your full capabilities, keep interested, read books, say prayers, keep a close relationship with your family, and try to keep in touch with life and what people are doing, seeing and enjoying.”. Due to restrictions enforced by the government in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, a simple birthday celebration comprising of near and dear ones, of around 30 people in number was held at her Son, Oswald’s house. Prior to the celebration, everyone attended the mass at home, including Ms Christine, which was telecasted live through a TV Channel.

Following the mass, it was time to celebrate, for it was a rare and grand occasion to celebrate a centennial birthday. Living to 100 years old is rare, and it deserves to be celebrated in a special way. If your Mother or grandma is the woman of honour who reached her 100 years of life on this Earth, it’s always nice to have a celebration which is appropriate for her, based on what she would be most comfortable with, concerning her health and what is feasible. Whether it’s a big celebration with family flying in from all over the country or abroad, or a low-key dinner with a few family and friends, emphasize the importance of this milestone and how special your Mother/ grandmother has been to everyone present.

And for that matter, this celebration to mark the 100th Birthday of a devoted and caring Mother/Grandmother was hosted by her family members. Konkani Songs composer Louis Vas, joined by his wife, Glady’s (Christine’s daughter) sang and enthralled the august gathering, including the Birthday Girl, with his original song, which was thoughtful and meaningful. Following the cutting of the birthday cake, a small prayer was held, and then it was time to greet the ‘Birthday Girl’ with gifts and wishes. The celebration was meticulously compered by Mrs Matilda D’Souza, a relative of Christine. The entire celebration was recorded through Google Meet, which went viral worldwide, a job well-done by two sisters, Lize and Leera. In her well-spoken words of gratitude, Christine thanked everyone present and asked God’s blessings on them, and concluded by saying “May God make you all live up to 100 years like Me”?- which brought laughter in the house. The Board members of MCC Bank presented Christine with a special gift, for being one of the Bank’s oldest customer. After a sumptuous breakfast, it was all about selfies and group photos with “Birthday Queen of Kalapane House”!

Even though Aunty Christine studied only up to 3rd standard, but it’s amazing to note that all her seven children were highly educated, with good posts/profession-and their children are also fairing well in academics. Christine’s seven children are- Cyril Lobo (75)- a Coffee Planter in Kalasa; Joseph W Lobo (71)-retired director UN Council/Indian Council of Cultural Relations; Mrs Felcy Lobo (69)- a homemaker, married to an entrepreneur; Oswald Lobo (68)- Retired after employed in UAE for 25 years; Eugene B Lobo (64)- Retd. LIC Manager; (Late) Charles Lobo ( 61)- was an entrepreneur; and Mrs Glady’s Lobo ( Home-maker), married to an entrepreneur.

As learnt from family members, Christine is a total Workaholic and never been an Alcoholic? (never touched a drop of alcohol in her life); she was a hard worker in the coffee estate, giving a helping hand to the labourers; now at home she spends time reading newspapers, bible and saying prayers; she also helps her daughter-in-law in the kitchen in cutting vegetables, etc; she still has great memory power; she never misses Sunday masses even at this age, and after mass, she likes to meet the Parish Priest, and get EXTRA blessings from Him; she is liked by all parishioners who meet and greet her at Church- such is our popular Christinebai! Since there was no big formal function on her birthday, because of Covid-19 restrictions, instead, the family members, relatives and friends have instituted “Mrs Christine Lobo Birth Centenary Scholarship Fund” to assist the needy/deserving students of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Kulshekar. It should be noted that in this school, which was established in 1873, four generations of Silva’s, Lobo Families, including Christine and her Father, had their primary education.

Ever since my youth days, I was always curious about the secrets to longevity and what made people live to 100. I mean, 100 is kind of a random number, but triple digits? That’s pretty amazing – there must be some kind of secret. Seeing as you usually hear that people’s parents or grandparents die in their 70’s or 80’s, I was totally intrigued by these long-lived peeps. In the past years, I have interviewed three persons on their 100th birthday in Mangaluru- Michael D’Souza (who is now 106, and still active), Ivy Mathias, and Glady’s D’Souza ( now deceased), and the first thing I asked them, the secret behind their health and 100 years of living healthy. I have a long way to go before I reach 100, but by the way, I eat junk food and irregular diet I have a feeling that I will kick the bucket, many years before reaching 100. But I very much admire how these octogenarians could make it to 100?

Anyway, as I got older I became more interested in longevity not because I actually want to live to 100 or 100 plus, but because the kinds of people that live to 100 or above are the ones who usually enjoy an unprecedented quality of life throughout their lives. The people who take good enough care of themselves to live to that ripe, old age, also suffer from a fraction (or none) of the health problems that plague the majority of people today. But I really do admire the life and characters of Christine Lobo, even though I had spent just a little time with her. But, I still want to express some of my thoughtful words about her: 100 years of memories and 100 years of life, where she has been very special, and surely all honour is due for all the great experiences that life has given her during the past 100 years. She has done more in a lifetime than others can only dream, and no doubt looking at her, one can say, she is the most amazing 100-year-old lady still bubbling with enthusiasm that must have ever known or seen around here, in the Kalpane/Kulshekar area!

To all those who came to congratulate her personally on her great and amazing milestone, her presence in their midst was filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love. Through her 100 beautiful years, Christine has brought immense happiness, love and joy to her family members, dear and near ones, relatives and friends. No doubt that 100 years of life is an incredible milestone, but one should remember it’s not the years in your life that matters, it’s the life in your years. With 100 years of life, love, memories and blessings-with each passing year, she has inspired all her dearest and nearest ones.

It isn’t everyday somebody turns a century old. We are glad to note that Christinebai who is one of the lucky few- it’s a blessing to have her as our friend and in our lives. All of us have only one life and only one chance to live it to the fullest. Christine has lived her life with the strong conviction that serenity and bliss are found in the simple things in life. She is 100, but she has not grown old. Yes Christine, as the song sung by Nat King Cole tells us, “You will never grow old while there is love in your heart. Time may silver your hair as you dream in an old rocking chair, but you will never grow old but stay like a rosebud in June”. Dear Christine, all of us wish you well in the years to come.” Long live Christine Lobo- a centenarian who is much active and energetic than a “College Girl”! Hap…hap…hap..Happy Birthday “Christinebai”, and many happy returns of the day.

TEAM MANGALOREAN WISHES CHRISTINE LOBO A VERY HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY!

FOLLOWING IS HISTORY IN DETAILS OF HIS MOTHER AS NARRATED BY OSWALD LOBO:

My mother Mrs Christine Lobo Nee D’Silva was born on 24/06/1920 in Sarakodi and was admitted to School: 01/06/1972, but unfortunately did her schooling only up to 3rd standard at St Joseph’s Primary school, Kulshekar, Mangaluru

Reason for leaving School:

Due to Sickness, at the age of 9 ½ years, she had Malaria fever which prolonged for more than 2 ½ years. Since there was no effective cure for Malaria at that time, she suffered a lot. Finally, she was cured by a monk using Herbal medicines but refused to take any money in return. By the time she recovered, it was too late to rejoin the school as her classmates were already studying in 6th standard. As she was ashamed to join 3rd standard she decided to discontinue schooling.

Adventurous Tour:

At the age of 9 ½ years, accompanied by her mother, Marceline Alvares D’Silva and Baptist, the renowned cook, left Sarakodi via Bondel to Kirem which is 45 kilometres away, by foot along with the luggage eight days in advance in order to prepare and participate in the 1st Holy Mass ceremony of Fr Andrew Pinto. The Trio reached the residence of Sylvester Pinto late in the morning. Sylvester Pinto is an Agriculturalist and a teacher by profession. As for the relationship is concerned, he is the brother-in-law of Christine and Fr Andrew Pinto is his younger brother, who happens to be the God Father of Christine. Invitations were sent out to all the parishioners of Kirem, as well as nearby four parish people. Based on the estimate, arrangements were made for 3000 people. However for the first Mass surprisingly more than 5000 people gathered.

However, the host who was a good organizer arranged to feed all the people without any problem. More than three pigs were additionally slaughtered for the meal and extra food was prepared within 2-3 hours of time. In order to avoid a shortfall of bread buns, a mini- lorry was dispatched which brought the bread buns from Mangaluru Bakeries, as the nearby Bakeries ran out of stock. To tide over the dining space, paddy fields were cleaned and trees laid in the fields in rows so that the people could sit and eat comfortably by using banana leaves. Even though this event happened 91 years ago she still has fresh memories of it. She had stayed back for two days after the event and left Kirem for Kulshekar by walk and reached home safely and with a sense of adventurism.

Date of Marriage: 18/05/1943 to Thomas Lobo, Taccode:

Fr Andrew Pinto, Godfather of Christine became Parish priest of Taccode Church during the 1940s. Since the Lobo family was staying very close to the church, Fr Pinto spotted Thomas Lobo and the marriage proposal was initiated which culminated in marriage on 18/05/1943. The marriage ceremony took place in the Holy Cross Church- Cordel (Kulshekar). To bless the bride and bridegroom, Fr Andrew Pinto came all the way from Taccode by a bullock cart covering roughly a distance of 50 kilometres as buses were scarce. Very few people from the Bride groom’s side attended the marriage ceremony. However, from the bride’s side, more than 800 people attended the mass followed by lunch at the bride’s residence. As per tradition, she was handed over to the bride groom’s family at Eppah Pinto’s House (Now Kiran Enterprises, Kulshekar).

This house was taken over by the Bridegroom temporarily for one night only (Actually except Eppah Aunty nobody stays in this house as all her 5 sons left the house to join the seminary to become Priests). After spending one night, the next day the couple attended the grand dinner at the residence of the bride and the following morning left for Taccode by a car driven by Ligoury (brother-in-law of Christine). This was the only car that was visible on the road at that time. The car’s roof was covered with tarpaulin and could be driven at the maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour. However, this was the first opportunity in life she got to travel by car to Taccode, she laughingly says.

Her Married Life:

Christine stayed with Thomas Lobo in his estate, Balige district from 1944 to 1958. As she was from an agricultural family she was at ease to do any manual work such as planting saplings, picking up coffee, cardamom, milking of cows and other domestic work. Since she was workaholic she used to mingle with estate labourers easily and used to work with them without any superiority complex. During this period the couple had seven children (5 boys, 2 girls) All are now senior citizens, well-educated and settled in their life.

Toughest Period:

1960 to 1980 was the toughest period for Christine as she had to take care of her children who were of different age groups as well as her in-laws both were bedridden, one with old age problem and another with paralysis. This is the precise reason why she came back from Estate and chose to single-handedly face this problem. During this period, the Estate income dwindled to such an extent that even to pay for the labourers became a big problem. To overcome this cash crunch many times Christine’s own gold was mortgaged. In order to generate extra income, Christine was advised by her brothers to grow vegetables in a portion of their paddy fields, which thus left at her disposal. They also helped in planting, watering, digging in the field. The vegetables produced in the field were consumed at home and the rest was sold at the market place. Her brothers gave a lot of help but in return took nothing, she says with a sense of gratitude. Even the elder daughter’s marriage was conducted under a loan granted by one of her relatives.

Pleasant Period:

1980 onwards the situation changed for good. All the children got educated and started their careers independently. All got married and had a total of 15 children excluding 12 spouses. Now, Christine has 10 great-grandchildren making it a total of 51 living family members. This is the greatest satisfaction one can have in a lifetime. As Christine had a scanty education she had a wish in her life that all her children and grandchildren should be highly qualified, and now that dream has been fulfilled by the grace of God. As among 15 grandchildren and 12 spouses- one is a doctor, one is a chartered accountant, one is a lawyer, eight are postgraduates, six are software engineers and the rest are graduated in different fields. Further, she aspires that all her great-grandchildren numbering ten should study well and excel in life.

Regrets in Life:

Christine did not get a chance to call her grandfather, Paul D’Silva Abba as he died before her birth as she was last among her eight siblings. He died of burns as the thatched rooftop of the house engulfed with fire, fell on him while he was taking out a pot filled with coins (money). He died on the way to the hospital. Christine’s father, Monthu Marian D’Silva, who was a pillar of strength to her and her family died on All Saints Day i.e. on 01/11/1941 at the age of 63 years, one and half years before Christine’s marriage. He was an Entrepreneur who used to supply red stones extracted from Kulshekar area to industrial sheds in Mangalore at the beginning of the 19th century. As a result of the red stone extraction, the area stretching from Kaikamba to the church gate sprang up with pits. Later people called this area as Kalpane for identification purpose. Pit means Kalpane in the Kannada language. Kalpane also indicates indirectly the 19th-century entrepreneurship spirit of Monthu M D’Silva of Sarakodi.

During the 1950s, calamity stuck Christine’s ( in-laws) Lobo Family at Taccode. Lightning struck the house and the whole house was destroyed by the fire. Saddened with this, the Lobo family sold their property and some portion of it donated to Taccode church also. After this, they moved to Kalpane where they brought 66 cents of land along with the house and the same house was named as “Kalpane House” even today.

Sad moments in life:

Passing away of her husband Thomas Lobo at the age of 91 years on 25/07/2007, after 3 years of age-old illness; Passing away of the youngest son, Charles Lobo at the age of 61 years on 02/11/2018 after a short illness; and Passing away of her great-grandchild after heart surgery.

Joyous moments in life:

When Christine was eagerly awaiting for her granddaughter, Ophilia’s wedding, she was down with cough, cold, asthma, pneumonia fever and also severe acute respiratory infection. Despite this, she was avoiding to go to the hospital fearing that she will miss the function. However, her health condition deteriorated so much that she was hospitalized at midnight on 24th December 2018. On 26th and 27th, December evenings were scheduled for the ring and roce ceremonies and 29th December 2018 for the wedding ceremony. Despite her deteriorating health, she attended all the three functions and returned to the hospital each time joyfully. Most of the people were unaware that she was sick as she made sure to dress up properly and wear festive jewellery before leaving the hospital. Subsequently, she spent one more week in the hospital. Now she is hale and hearty and celebrated her 100th birthday on 24/06/2020. This is her most joyful event one can say.

Virtues of Christine:

Punctual, Strong Will Power, Sharp Memory, Sharp Analytical Mind, Kind Hearted, Helping Nature, Concerned for Others, Always Thinking of Others Welfare, No Botheration of Self, Ready to Fight Injustice, Determined and Courageous.

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