She hails from Ambagiw, Besao where she was born and was later reared at Dandanac, Besao before World War II. She got married to Banglate Balangyao of their nearby barangay, Panabungen, where they resided until today. They were blessed with five children who are now all getting old of age too with their off springing grandchildren. This shows that this woman saw her third generation grandchildren.
She became a pride of Panabungen, and the whole town of Besao. Each one was befitted and interested to ask about her life style in the past for making it that age. Her secret lies on good cultural practices and discipline as she can still cook her food, clear her own backyard and has a little vegetable garden.
She shared childhood discipline to the children and told stories about the World War II she had experienced in the place during the celebration of the IPED Week in Panabungen Elementary School. Sitting down on a small chair while she looks into the eyes of the children who seem all too innocent of her wellbeing at the moment, gave her favorite chant line she always let the children hear-“Kapitan Botyog” .
Now everybody wonders why she has ever lived those years and she is still able to take care of herself until now living alone with her disabled daughter after her husband died more than 20 years ago.
She discloses of proper living and disciplined attitudes towards healthful diet. She further conveys that she adheres to the pieces of advice of her parents in eating the right kind of food and at the right eating time. She also believed of the practice of women in the locality not to stay in front of the fire in the first two months of birth to protect the eyes. She has chants, melodies and “day-eng” that she often sings out to free stress and weariness. She tells of her husband’s care and love for her as a woman and all of it brought her long years of living.
The crew of ABS-CBN, Besao municipal personnel and Laylaya Barangay officials led by Brgy. Captain Edward Laleo accompanied them for Lola Gayamen’s interview shared a laugh with her when she countered their queries and her gratefulness for receiving an amount of PhP 20,000.00 from the DSWD-Mountain Province. She giggled and declared that she can now buy milk and food which she did not taste and savored before.
By Alenia D. Balaki
