By Edzelle Peña
LUCENA, QUEZON — At 2 a.m., she wakes up to put on her makeup. She then outlines the curves of her brows, patches up her hair and reddens her lips. She puts on her chosen clothes, deliberately prepared a day before, picks up a matching pair of shoes, and heaves through a number of trinkets to finish off her style. When all done, she turns on the TV and patiently waits for the clock to rest at 6 a.m. Four hours later, off she goes to attend the holy mass.
This is what a typical day is like to Mrs. Exaltacion Rodriguez Abadilla, an 80-something lady who despite her petite frame never fails to capture anyone’s attention wherever she goes. Who would fail to notice this social butterfly with her brightly colored outfit perfectly matching from head to toe?
The youngest child in a brood of nine, Exaltacion grew up rubbing elbows with the elites of Quezon. Belonging to the wealthy and prominent clan of the Rodriguezes, she was accustomed to dressing up glamorously for parties their family hosts every so often.
Exaltacion’s glitzy fashion sense could also well be traced to her childhood. Back in the early days she relates how people would always notice her sisters first before her. Many are enthralled by the beauty of Carmen and Lolita. Admittedly, she says she is not as charming as the two so when with them, she opts to wear a flamboyant attire to capture people’s attention as well.
Also, she recounts her yaya would always dress her up like a doll. She would wear a vibrant-looking dress, perfectly matching shoes, complementing accessories and a flower perennially pinned on her hair. She also doesn’t fail to wear a scent that quickly sets off anyone’s senses once she passes by.
Today, stripped of any inhibitions, Exaltacion is an icon of style in her hometown in Quezon. With fashion as a reflection of her happy personality, one would often see her wearing a dazzlingly terno outfit. For instance, a red, slim top goes with red fitting jeans, red shoes, red bag, red handkerchief and lots of accessories. If it’s red she chooses for the day, she’d be wearing red from head to toe.
Tita Exal, as friends and family call her, has about 300 to 400 specially tailored clothes, each with a perfectly matching bag and pair of shoes. Almost all the rooms in her house are an extension of her closet. Hundreds of bags and shoes, still wrapped in plastic deliberately to protect them from dust, are lined up on the floor, on tables, on chairs and just about anywhere where they can fit.
Her dressing room looks like an exhibit hall with the sheer number of her garments. She relates she once had all her dresses separated by color but now that they could hardly keep all of them in her room, she just had them all hung in an open closet. This way, she would be able to easily find the outfit she likes.
Though not very particular with brands, Tita Exal wants her clothes to be uniquely enticing. And because she’s rather small, a tailor custom fits the clothes she buys. She prefers body fitting clothes because she feels sexier in them.
Exaltacion could well be dubbed as the Imelda Marcos of Lucena City following the hundreds of shoes she’s keeping in her house — most of them made especially just for her. Her son, Felipe Abadilla, owns the line of PRIMADONNA shoes. This is where she heartily gets free custom-designed shoes and bags she ever so needs when attending parties and weddings.
Cora, her maid for two years now, shares that a day before, she already prepares the clothes that Tita Exal wishes to wear. This buys her more time to find, in a heap of stuff, the right items that the old lady desires.
Sadly, Tita Exal does not have a daughter to share her fascination with. She is the cool mom of three sons, Benigno, Salvo and Felipe. Had she been given a daughter, she says she would probably be as much of a fashionista as her.
Aside from fashion, she is also passionate about dancing. Yes, this grandma, despite her age, is still up and hitting the dance floor. She also has a huge collection of dolls each representing a different country. She never fails to buy one when she travels abroad.
As Tita Exal gamely puts it, her unique fashion sense is a mirror of her vibrant personality. Every bit of attention she gets from people allured by her are very much appreciated, she enthuses.
Dressing up is the one thing she enjoys doing and thus, will never cease to love. For women her age, she shares the keys to staying chic and fabulous are being confident and happy with themselves.
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