City officials recently honored Leonarda Belvis-de Guzman as the latest centenarian of the city.
Under Resolution No. 576, series of 2022, local legislators recognized that de Guzman’s secret to her long life is her good diet which is mostly composed of fish, vegetables and fruits complimented by daily food supplements and she rarely eats meat.
Further, she is not suffering from any illness and does not need maintenance medicines.
De Guzman was born on November 6, 1922 in the city. She finished Grade 7 at the Baguio Central School but was not able to continue her studies because her parents, who although both working then as a miner and a staff of the Balatoc Mines, Inc., wanted her to help earn a living for their big family.
She is the 4th child among 9 siblings and to date, only three of them are alive with two now in the United States of America with their own families.
Leonora was married to the late Isabelo de Guzman who died in 1995 due to old age. They were vendors at the Baguio City public market which was their main source of income then. They were blessed with 8 children who are all married with two in the USA and one in Australia with their own families.
Moreover, she has 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren who take turns in visiting her, especially one of her sons and his family as they live in the same barangay.
The family used to reside along Ferguzon road but transferred in 1983 as among the first settlers in the SLU-SVP Housing project.
Leonora is being taken care of by a caregiver. Her senses are still very good in spite of her age. She could clearly see and only needs reading glasses whenever she reads.
She still writes legibly, signs her name and still hears very well.
Leonora can still sit and stand and can also go to the toilet with the help of her caregiver.
The council stipulated that de Guzman should be awarded the appropriate privileges in accordance to Ordinance No. 45, series of 2013, as amended by Ordinance No. 53, series of 2016, and further amended by Ordinance No. 84, series of 2019, as amended by Ordinance No. 10, series of 2022.
