TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Two centenarians from Barangays Bagumbayan and Amlao were presented with the amount of P100,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as incentive for living a century.
The awardees were Vicente Tamayao, native of Naneng, who was born on January 1, 1922, and Miguel Dayagon who was born on April 8, 1921 in Sitio Mabato, Amlao.
The centenarians revealed during the interview that their vegetarian diet since they were young, as well as being spiritual and regularly exercising during their prime, were the key factors in their longevity.
While 101-year-old Dayagon lives with his 87-year-old wife Evangeline, who completed his third year of high school and is a fluent English speaker, has 11 children, 17 grandchildren, and one great grandchild, 100-year-old Tamayao, who is cared for by his grandson Jay Wayne, did not reach any level of education, and drinks one shot of gin every night for a good sleep.
The two centenarians, who had led simple, healthy lives their entire lives, were grateful that they are still in good health despite getting older, with the exception of deteriorating vision and hearing due to aging.
Tamayao and Dayagon were each given a financial award of P50,000.00 by the city government earlier in May 2022, and they still have another P50,000 waiting for them from the provincial government.
Living a century is a blessing from God that only a few people can have, according to City Special Concerns and Coordinating Officer Glen Wansi, who was present during the presentation of the centenarian cash gift. He told the awardees that the cash gifts are one way to show support and appreciation for the few people who used the best of health and happiness in life to live 100 years and up.