Hats off to Hera
I would venture that few women—I dare say, almost none—would announce that they’ve turned 65. Sixty-five is in that age range when you’re old enough to qualify for a senior card but young enough to hide it.
But Hera Geriene, at 65, proclaims and celebrates her age like she were 35.
For her recent 65th birthday party—par-tea, if you will—Hera requested guests to come in solid colors and wear hats or fascinators, “to express themselves.” Few of us adults get to play dress-up, after all, and few of us wear hats—a curiosity since we live in a country where the sun shines brightly virtually every day. As for the fascinators, well, Wimbledon was happening at the time, and we can dream, can’t we?
“You took your time to look fabulous, and I just can’t really tell you how much I appreciate everybody. Thank you, I am 65. Yey!” chirped Hera at her tea party at Chef Jessie’s in Rockwell, the “Yey!” coming from her.
Chef Jessie prepared a fusion of Filipino and English tea cakes like puto and scones with clotted cream and jam, respectively, and shots of strawberry cheesecake and glasses of halo-halo.
Hera keeps active traveling between her two homes in Manila and Florida, visiting her children in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and preparing for her second solo art exhibit in 2027.
She shares her secret to staying young: “It is through maintaining a thankful, grateful, and blissful mindset.”
I asked Hera’s husband of 34 years, Marc Geriene, an inventor and book author, “What makes Hera special—from the day you met her, till now? What spark did you see in her then that still sparkles now?”
“That’s an easy one and not so secret as everyone else sees it, too—her smile!” immediately answers Marc, who is finalizing his latest invention, a submersible drone called the HydroSail, for his company’s launch in September.
“Even before I met her, she captured me with her smile! It never fades or loses its authenticity. What I experienced and fell in love with is everything behind the smile—her loving, positive energy, generosity and gratitude. She appreciates everyone and makes space for them in her life. Sometimes it seems a little crowded, but as long as she’s happy, I’m happy,” adds Marc, whose love for his wife is obviously ocean-deep!
Marc and Hera have two children. Mara Michelle, 32, is continuing to build her career both on stage, on-screen, and online. She continues to audition regularly, and is currently appearing as “Young Woman” in the stage production of Marisol by José Rivera while also serving as the understudy for the title role. Expanding her work beyond the theater, she maintains an active online presence and will also appear in the upcoming short film The Dreadful Sunrise, set for release later this year.
Jean, 21, is studying Fashion Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. He will start his junior year in September.
Hats off to Hera for making 65 look 35, and all this while keeping her home and artistic pursuits afloat in an ocean of devotion.
