Her journey can be summarised in a few key numbers: three children, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a century of rich experiences behind her. Mamerta Francisca Bermúdez Campos, affectionately known as Panchita to those close to her, has faced challenges, insults, and hunger, but at one hundred years old, she continues to smile with vigour.
She has never ceased to do so. Not to mention her fondness for wearing her favourite shade of carmine red on her lips and nails, with some assistance from her daughters, Teresa and Ángeles, who have always seen their mother stay positive even amidst the adversities of life. Instead, she has always shown compassion towards those in need and has been ready to lend a helping hand whenever required. Even today, in her own way, she continues to do so.
Kind, composed, and with a touch of vanity, she enjoys dressing in vibrant hues and adorning herself with rings, necklaces, and bracelets. She also takes pleasure in sitting and admiring the flowers and plants that grace the courtyard of her home, a space that has flourished especially for her birthday on May 11.
With a father hailing from Lanzarote and a mother from Vitoriera, Panchita, as known in La Victoria de Acentejo and the surrounding area, moved to Tenerife from her birthplace Cuba at the tender age of six or seven, alongside her three siblings, Eliseo, María, and Blanca, who have since passed away.
“My father, Manuel, was a proud native of Lanzarote,” she recounts. Like many Canarians during the 19th century, her father had travelled to the Latin country in pursuit of a prosperous future. He worked in a sugarcane plantation where he met her mother, a fellow immigrant along with one of her sisters and her husband. Her mother’s task involved washing and mending garments for the settlers. Despite the age gap and her being a widow with a son, love blossomed between them. They tied the knot, had three daughters, and resolved to return to their homeland.
Panchita’s own love story echoes that of her parents, for her husband Domingo, whom she fell for while tending to her parents’ orchards, is ten years her junior.
The family relocated to Santa Cruz in Tenerife and launched a small grocery store on Viera Clavijo Street. Subsequently, her father found work as a caretaker in some workshops on the dock in the capital, while her mother took charge of domestic chores and upbringing.
In her youth, Panchita worked in several clothing establishments where they not only sold clothes but also produced them. She cherishes memories of her employers, Doña Amparo and Doña Micaela, two sisters who introduced her to the art of sewing. Recognising her keen interest and aptitude for the craft, they sponsored her studies in dressmaking and tailoring while she continued to work as a shop assistant.
Upon earning her certification, which would define her lifelong profession, she became known as Panchita, the seamstress of La Victoria, where the family settled years later. She still resides in the same house with her husband, adjacent to each of her daughters. “Together yet independent,” as she often remarks. Their only son, Aurelio, resides in the metropolitan area.
At the entrance, blue letters on white tiles announce the arrival at Casa Panchita. In a room on the exterior of the building, she set up her modest workshop with two sewing machines. It was here that her daughter Ángeles, who inherited the trade from her mother, also learned the craft. Though introduced to it at a young age, she never pursued it professionally.
Gradually, Panchita gained renown across the Acentejo region for her needlework skills, particularly in crafting wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns. Beyond the attire, she also took charge of veils and bouquets, often visiting the brides’ homes accompanied by her daughters to assist with dress preparations.
In those times, automobiles were scarce, and reaching certain locations, especially those elevated, posed numerous challenges. Hence, they transported the entire ensemble in one go. “It was a joy and festivity for us because weddings were celebrated in households,” reminisce Ángeles and Teresa.
If the marrying neighbours were close acquaintances, they assisted in decorating the church.
Pristine white wedding gowns with elaborate trains were her favourite creations. She would accompany the brides-to-be to high-priced boutiques, meticulously replicating the designs with care, garnishing them with stones and sequins, as recounted by her daughters. Both recall those times with the same fervour as their mother, relishing the sense of camaraderie they shared.
Her final bridal creation was thirty-five years ago for Teresa, an ensemble made of white crystal chiffon embellished with stones. However, Ángeles’ dress was an exception. Given the superstitions of the era, it was considered inauspicious for her to see her own dress, so she opted to purchase one instead.
Despite their modest means, each time Panchita ventured out, she carried a notebook and pen to sketch the designs she admired in display windows, recreating them at affordable prices, enabling her daughters to enjoy the latest fashions with the meagre sum of 12 to 15 pesetas. “She was an artist, possessed great sketching skills, and had impeccable taste,” they concur.
Panchita’s domestic life had its share of challenges, but those are now distant memories. She has strived to build a fulfilling present, cherishing her family and attending Acufade, the senior centre, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which she adores, relishing the camaraderie she finds among fellow visitors.
Panchita, the Centenarian Seamstress from Acentejo, Shares her Secrets to a Long and Happy Life
Living a vibrant and active life at one hundred years old, Panchita from Acentejo attributes her good health to avoiding hypertension, diabetes, and unnecessary medications. While she may face challenges with mobility due to her reluctance towards knee prostheses and walking aids, her grace and elegance surpass these limitations.
Indulging in her favourite treats, such as ice cream and rice pudding – made with goat’s milk or powdered milk for added consistency – Panchita savours every moment. Despite only starting to travel in her later years, she fondly recalls her visits to different regions, though her heart still yearns for her birthplace in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
When asked about the secret to her longevity, Panchita humbly shares her philosophy of refraining from negative gossip and unnecessary opinions about others. Her approach to life is simple – live and let live. Her infectious laughter and positive outlook reveal her eagerness to embrace each day with joy.
Panchita playfully hints at plans for the future, teasing about adventures yet to come. With a heart full of love and a spirit as ageless as her soul, she continues to inspire all who meet her with her timeless wisdom and zest for life.
