A Love Letter To My Grandmother, A Blue Lady -

The fondest memory I have of my grandmother is coming into her brightly-lit room—walls and furniture a perfect shade of blush pink—and seeing her on the bed clad in a silk nightgown and pearls. She motions for my 5-year old self to sit next to her, before greeting me with a ‘Hello, Dahl!’ (a shortcut for ‘darling’) that is said with such amor and endearment.

With the television running in the background, she urges me to inspect her walk-in closet—a candy extravaganza, a scene straight out of a Willy Wonka movie—and tells me to get as much goodies as I want. My eyes sparkle as I open tupperware upon tupperware of chocolate. With my pick of the day, I then scoot myself beside her and watch the Batman cartoon re-runs playing on the screen. She eventually falls asleep beside me. I join her 5 minutes later, enveloped in luxurious silk sheets, lulled by the smell of roses that linger in the room.


Pat Domingo Masigan is one of the most sophisticated women I’ve ever gotten the pleasure of knowing, even if just for a while. In fact, I feel as though I’ve known her my whole life. Growing up, I’ve gotten to know the enigmatic, charming, vibrant woman that she was through colorful snippets of her life told by none other than her dear children (my dad and his siblings). After years and years of piecing the Pat Masigan puzzle together, I have come to one conclusion: Boy, was my grandfather a lucky man!

She was a catch.

A babe.

A mere concept-cum-reality that my handsome grandfather, Virgilio Masigan, was able to sweep off her feet and claim as his own, along with their 8 lovely children that followed years after.

Pat and Virgilio Masigan pose, dressed to the nines.
Pat and Virgilio Masigan pose, dressed to the nines.

She was a golfer, a Blue Lady, and one of Manila’s most notable socialites. Coming from one of the country’s richest families, she dove into the complex world of everything ‘Imelda’. From soireés to grandiose galas, confidential meetings to private dinners, my grandmother was there to witness the controversial Marcos power-play that divided the nation, all through the eyes of the first lady herself.

Pat Masigan alongside other Blue Ladies with former president Ferdinand Marcos.
Pat Masigan alongside her fellow Blue Ladies with former president Ferdinand Marcos.

She was also one of Imelda’s favorites.


In every Imelda affair was a corresponding Pat Masigan energy that needed to make itself known. Her vibe was infectious, so much so that she was absolutely adored by all. Gracious, charming, and utterly classy, Pat Masigan was the life of every party.

An official member of Imelda’s glittering retinue, she was indeed one of the most influential women in the country.

Imelda Marcos and the Blue Ladies (Photo from the archives of Danny Dolor)
Imelda Marcos and the Blue Ladies (Photo from the archives of Danny Dolor)

While most credit the latter to the title she bore (or even to the privilege she had), I, as her granddaughter, beg to differ.

My grandmother was influential simply because she knew how to love.

She knew how to love all things beautiful and exquisite.

She knew how to love and value relationships, old and new.

She lusted for life immensely, so much so that people envied her for it.

Pat Masigan and family.
Pat Masigan and family.

Most of all, she knew how to love her children deeply—all 8 of them, unique in their own ways yet sprung from the same heart that swelled with such care and affection.

They were her biggest achievements in life, and I’m proud to call one of them my dad.

I remember sitting across my Auntie Emy a few years back, the eldest among the 8, wide-eyed as she would re-tell stories about the fabulous life my grandmother had lived. We talked for hours that day, and my heart was filled with a certain sadness, then with love; Sadness, because I had only met the illustrious Pat Masigan for a short time, yet full of love because as I tread this Earth in the years to come, I know that not only do we share the same lust for life, but the same blood as well.

Pat Masigan posing with son Francis John Masigan and her two grandchildren, Miguel and Samantha.
Pat Masigan with son Francis John Masigan and her two grandchildren, Miguel and Samantha.

As I sit here under bleak fluorescent lighting, I remember my dearest grandma Pat—every ounce of woman I aspire to be.

by Samantha Masigan

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