Cookie: Epitome of the new 40

COOKIE Montenegro joined the ranks of the dual citizenship category: a Filipino (Spanish) citizen and a member of the senior citizen genre.

But Cookie is truly the look of the new 40s. She’s tall, attractive, gregarious, alive, fun, energetic, and a doer.

In the yesteryears, the senior citizen category was boxed as gray-to-white locks, frail women, forever in a house dress or “duster” and more comely and homely, sometimes just whining about their aches and pains. Well, not anymore. Cookie defies all that!

The new 40s are sociable. They have their hobbies, their activities. Cookie has her twice weekly routine of aerodancing. From the moment Joval’s class starts, Cookie is already giving out a sweat with her energetic moves.

If there is one person whom I can say has gone to more countries this side of town, it is Cookie. She has been to the Antartic, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Laos, Morocco, India, South America and many other destinations that we are just discovering. Well, Cookie has been there way before tour packages have been organized to make traveling worry-free. Even in our very own country, Cookie has explored so many areas that are in my bucket list and where I still dream of going.

With all the globetrotting, Cookie is a workaholic. Weekly, she goes to the far south crossing the province and stays there some nights to run their farm as well as that of her relatives. She is the picture of a hands-on haciendera. Not a remote control planter, she literally knows what is going on in her farm and even ventures to lease more in far-flung areas. Truly, her energy amazes me.

I like Cookie. She is easy and pleasant to be with. No fuss, no complaints! She savors every moment of her existence, making her a fun person and great company. There’s nothing plastic about Cookie. If you are her friend, be assured of her gift of herself, her presence.

She has a good heart and even makes herself available when the opportunity comes to be of help to the community—even dancing for a tribute for the church. And during practices, you can be sure that the laughter stems from her exuberance and amusing gimmicks! In Ilonggo, we can call it “tarsa” and everyone enjoys a barrel of laughs when Cookie is around!

Cookie is a doting mother and a loving lola. She enjoys her children’s company as much as they love her.

Recently, she was ushered into the senior citizen’s category with an intimate party attended by the nearest and dearest to her heart from family to friends. Without a doubt, the party was defined true to form to Cookie’s personality!

Cookie is the look of the new 40s and, believe me, it’s a great feeling not only to avail of discounts but to be alive and well and enjoying life to the fullest!

Thank you Lord for the gift of Cookie! May her tribe increase!