City officials recently honored Petra B. Lukingan as a centenarian of the city.
Under Resolution No. 099, series of 2024, local legislators stated that though her hearing was waned, Petra’s vision remains clear, and she now relies on a wheelchair for mobility.
Financially, the family sustains hinges on the pension received from her husband’s service as a Korean war veteran.
Lukingan was born on January 24, 1924 and was raised in Data, Sabangan, Mountain Province. She is the youngest among the four offspring of Cristina and Kidapan Batiel, both farmers, who weathered life challenges.
Limited by circumstances, Petra was only able to complete Grade 1 and dedicated herself in toiling the fields to help her family during trying times.
The council claimed that destiny intertwined her path with Leoncio Lukingan in 1948 and together, they were able to raise four children, Henry, Harry, Manuel and Novel.
In 1979, the couple established their residence in Kias barangay that paved the way for them to relocate to the city.
While Leoncio served in the military during the Korean War era, Petra lovingly nurtured their children, maintaining a strong familial bond despite the physical distance between them.
However, tragedy struck the family in 1983 with the loss of their eldest son, Henry, who fell victim to an ambush while serving as a soldier.
Subsequently, Leoncio succumbed to a lingering illness in 2003.
Petra face another ordeal in 2012 as she was convicted and detained at the Correctional Institute for Women for legal reasons where she became the institution’s eldest inmate at that time.
Released in 2015 after three years in detention, she joyfully reunited with her family, looking forward for a renewed lease in life.
Petra attributed her longevity and vigor to her diet-rich and self-cultivated vegetables alongside a preference for fish over meat, as shared by her devoted son, Novel, her primary caregiver.
The council stipulated that Lukingan be awarded the privileges under 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. By Dexter A. See
