Carmen, also known as Carmenchu and Carmuca, was born in Cebu on August 28, 1920. She was the oldest daughter of Vidal Aboitiz and Ana Moraza.

She was a consummate homemaker who liked cooking, sewing, yoga and playing mahjong. She was very shy, private, and very organized.

William "Bill" Paradies was working in Cebu as a salesman and one night, while he was at the Casino Español, Carmen walked across the room and he knew at once that he was going to marry her.

Carmen and Bill were married on August 28, 1942 in Lahug, Cebu.

Her brother, Enrique "Hank" Aboitiz recalls, "They were married during the war and it was a big deal because it was a party during wartime. The reception was held in the house and for music, we had the grand old guy that I'm sure everyone remembers -- Bituk Miciano, who was a pianist by oido you know, he wasn't a trained pianist. He played for hours and hours and hours. That was the only music we had. We didn't have a phonogram, no band, and no musicians. Just good old Bituk. I think it was a very nice reception. It was very merry."

Carmen's daughter-in-law Lisa Paradies was told, "My mother-in-law's father (Vidal Aboitiz) was really emotional and crying the whole time. They said it was funny because she was going to live next door and could be back home for breakfast again."

Of her parent's marriage, Elsie Colombo says, "My mom told me that she was very sickly when she was young. I think she had a nervous stomach. But when she married my dad, all her stomach problems went away. It was like he was her savior. He took care of everything for her. She felt like he was her protector but she was really the boss in the sense that anything my dad decided to do he would ask her first."

Carmen and Bill lived in Cebu until 1958 when they moved to Manila where they lived in San Lorenzo Village, Makati.

She passed away peacefully at the age of 99 in 2019

Her sister, her children, cousins, nieces and nephews, fondly remember Carmen as a sweet and loving person.

Carol Diaz-Aboitiz (sister):

Carmen, queridisima hermana, tan encantadora y generosa, siempre dispuesta a ayudar y a hacer favores a los demás. Realmente, éramos muy unidos los cuatro hermanos y pasamos una maravillosa juventud. Ya más mayores nos separó la vida pero nuestros corazones siempre estaban juntos. Tengo guardados grandes recuerdos de ti. Te echo de menos.

Elsie Colombo (daughter):

Mom, I'm beginning to sound like you! "Hay moros en la costa" "Primero, te quitan la mano, luego el brazo entero" "Why? Utang kamunggay" These are some of the famous Carmen Paradies lines. She was one truly special mother. Small, loved talking to her cousins, and a wonderful home maker.

Charlie Paradies (son):

"Que pinta" was a proverb Mom used to describe a messy looking person. Mom would always remind me to call our closest aunts and uncles when going to Cebu.

Katy Fernandez de Mesa (daughter):

Mom was always there for us. I would feel so happy to know she was home when we came home from school. We were so blessed to have her as our mom. She cared so much for all her employees. She was always worried if they were rested and had eaten. Her employees loved her and they took care of her until the day she died.

Annie Gonzalez (daughter):

To Mom, we were always beautiful. She was our biggest fan!! Happy 100th, Mom! May you celebrate in heaven with Dad, Mamita, Abuelito, Tia Miren and Tio Hank - a nice family get together!!

Jenny Paradies (daughter):

One thing about Mom, she was vain until her last day on earth. She was particular about which blouse she would put on with which pair of pants. Her hair always had to be nicely combed and she would even ask her caregiver to put some rouge on her cheeks everyday. She didn't want any expensive name brand clothes or jewelry, but she always took the trouble to look pretty. I wish I had inherited some of that vanity. Like all her siblings, she was extremely thrifty especially as she got older. She once asked me to buy her a simple bag at the tiangge, reminding me not to spend too much. When I came home with a bag, and when she asked me the price, I lied and said P400. "Que caro!", she exclaimed. Little did she know it was more like P4,000!

Bobby Paradies (son):

She was loved by everyone that met her. That's what we all strive for.

Steve Paradies (son):

Mom made it a point to get all the family together for lunch on Sunday, which I always looked forward to. Thank you, Mom, for always being there for us and for keeping all your children so close to each other until this day.

Ian Paradies (grandson):

Happiest 100th birthday up in heaven with Papito, Mamita! We miss you dearly. Mamita was one of the kindest and sweetest people in the world that I have known, always looking at things positively and never one to judge others. The fact that she went through the summer of 2004 without too much stress with Fita and I living with her while we were in college is testament to how much of a saint she was. Most grandmothers would have thrown us out or asked our parents to take us back but not her.

Nina Paradies (granddaughter):

Happy birthday, Mamita! I have the best memories of Christmas at your house in Sanlo with the whole family. I love hearing stories of your "open house" policy and how social you and Papito were in that house. It was easy to imagine because you always had a smile on your face, even on the days when you told me you were feeling a bit shat. I want to thank you for that word, by the way. I miss having you just down the street at Tita Jenny's, but I still see you in my dad's face and know that you are close to us.

Vicky Aboitiz Cody (cousin):

When I studied in Assumption in Manila, I was able to survive thanks to Tia Carmen Paradies and her kids because they took me in as a family member and I spent every weekend with them. Tia Carmen was so gracious to always include me in everything. She really raised me in those teenage years. She was like a mother to me.

Remy Moraza Romero-Salas (cousin):

Carmen was one of the sweetest persons in the world. She didn't know what it was to have a mean streak in her. Everyone was good as far as she was concerned. Carmen, I miss you and the kindness flowing all over you. I'm sure you're very happy in heaven in the company of Bill and your parents. Wishing you a very very happy 100th birthday this 28th of August.

Endika Aboitiz (nephew):

The Africans say that it takes a tribe to raise a child. We are living proof of that. I grew up with 8 mothers and 8 fathers and that was in Cebu alone. In Manila, I had another 8 and Tita Carmen and Bill were on the very top of my list. We were always welcome. You could walk in for lunch and you felt warmly and lovingly welcome. Tertulias (lively discussions in Spanish) at pica pica were enjoyable.

Ane Achaval Preysler (niece):

Tia Carmen was such a lovely woman. So soft-spoken and kind. When we lived in Dasmariñas Village, our families would get together every Christmas. My mom would host and Tia Carmen would bring the turkey. She was a great source of information. She never failed to keep in touch through her daily phone calls to various people. She never failed to greet you on your birthday or inform you on who passed away or just ask how everyone was. She called my mom (Miren Achaval, Carmen's youngest sister) every Monday till the day my mother passed away. Tia Carmen always had a smile on her face!

Ana Mari Moraza Callejo (cousin):

Carmen was one of the best cousins I ever had. She was a very kind-hearted person, simple, and most of all, very understanding. Happy 100 years, prima.

Rosarito Moraza Planas (cousin):

Carmen was like a mentor to me when we lived in Cebu during my youth. When Carmen had her twin sons Charlie and Stevie, I also had my son, Louie, and the boys attended birthday parties together. I recall that she was a calm and happy person. I remember going to her wedding, which was during the war and the reception was in Tia Ana and Tio Vidal's house. Happy 100th birthday, Carmen. You're an amazing lady and a wonderful cousin.

Pilar Romero-Salas Streegan (niece):

I remember visiting Tita Carmen with my mamita and mom. I admired her outlook on things, very practical and straight forward, genuine, and kind. She was always a pleasant person to be around. We miss her. . . Happy 100th birthday, Tita Carmen.

Therese Foley (niece-in-law):

For as long as my memory goes back, Tia Carmen always had that beautiful smile, always welcoming us as though we the were the only children whilst she had her own seven! Going back at least six decades, the Foleys, Perrines, Melians, and Paradieses were playmates. We loved Tia Carmen and her calm smiling personality. We loved how she taught her daughters to be great chefs and artisans. We wanted to be adopted by her!

Elena Melian Whatson (niece):

I have so many memories of her throughout my childhood, growing up and even when I moved away, when I visited Manila, I always liked to visit her and catch up with what was happening. She always made me feel special. Always had a nice word to say to me and really interested in my life. Her sweet serene smile and quietness were very refreshing and soothing.

Ana Diaz-Aboitiz (niece):

Tia Carmen es una tía muy querida y tengo grandes recuerdos de ella y por supuesto de Tito Bill. Eran una pareja my unida y muy cariñosa con los sobrinos. Me quedé en su casa muchas veces y tuvimos muchas charlas de muchas cosas porque ella sabia escuchar. Siempre la llevo en el corazon.

Marga Melian Ortigas (niece):

We were always genuinely welcomed in Tia Carmen's house. "Mi casa es tu casa" was definitely the description of her home.

Gabriela de Leste (niece-in-law):

The first time I met Tia Carmen was twenty years ago in Manila when Ane Preysler invited us for dinner to a Chinese restaurant. The three sisters were seated together. The first thing I noticed was her smile. That smile never changed. I will remember her always smiling. The second thing I noticed was how happy they were to be together. During dinner, I was able to appreciate the similarities and at the same time how different were the three sisters but how much love and understanding they shared.

Miguel Diaz-Aboitiz (nephew):

Thank you, Tita Carmen, for all the good times you shared with us, and all the memories that will be shared from today onwards.