According to Taguiam, she was with her son Romeo when the typhoon happened. “Nang kasagsagan ng Bagyong Ulysses, nasa loob lamang kami ng bahay dahil sa lakas ng ulan at hangin na kasabay ng pagpasok ng tubig sa aming bahay kaya nakahiga lang ako sa aking kama dahil hirap na rin ako makatayo nang mag-isa dala na siguro ng aking katandaan (When Typhoon Ulysses hit, we were just inside our house because the rain and wind are strong. Water started coming inside our house, that’s why I was just laying in bed because I am having difficulty standing up on my own due to old age),” Taguiam said.

Taguiam has experienced many challenges in her life, which she faced with courage and strength. “May isang trahedya sa aking buhay nang hindi inaasahang nawalan ako ng malay at bumagsak ang aking ulo sa semento. Kinailangan kong ipa-opera ang aking ulo. Salat kami sa kahirapan kaya nahinto ang maintenance ng aking gamot (There’s this one tragedy in my life where I lost consciousness and I badly hit my head in the pavement. I needed to have a brain surgery. But because of our extreme poverty, I had to stop my maintenance medicines),” Taguiam said.

As part of its 92nd anniversary, PLDT gave her a special package, including a cash donation to cover some of her maintenance medicines and a Noche Buena pack.

During PLDT’s immediate relief assistance in typhoon-hit Cagayan, the company also provided some relief goods to Taguiam and her family.

In her old age, Taguiam’s wish is simple. “Ako’y matanda na kaya ang tanging hiling ko lang ay para sa aking pamilya na magkaroon ng matiwasay na buhay at ilayo sila sa kapahamakan (I’m old, so my only wish is for my family to have a good life and to always be safe),” she said.
 
With eight children and 37 grandchildren, Taguiam is living a long, fulfilled life, surrounded by her loved ones.

To today’s youth, here are some wise words from a 93-year-old: study hard, listen to your parents and have faith.