City officials recently honored Epifanio L. Besuayan as a centenarian of the city.
Under Resolution No. 432, series of 2023, local legislators stated that Besuayan’s family claimed that the secret to his long life is primarily due to healthy living and proper care from his family members, relatives, and friends.
The council disclosed that the latest centenarian has never been confined in a hospital and has no known illness.
At his age, he can still walk with the assistance of a device and could still recognize his family members.
Besuayan was born on May 26, 1923 in Padangaan, Besao, Mountain Province and reached 100 years old last May.
The council stipulated that despite facing financial constraints that hindered his formal education, he dedicated his early years in farming and helping his parents in sustaining their daily needs.
Besuayan was married to a neighbor and a childhood friend, Rosalinda Isa-is through traditional rites. Their marriage was further blessed in a church wedding on February 14, 1997. The couple is blessed with 8 children, and to date, he has 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
During World War II in 1942, he reportedly joined the guerilla and fought against the Japanese Imperial Army and officially joined the Philippine Army in 1943.
In 1946, his family moved to Zambales where he worked as a miner at Acoje Mining Corporation. After his retirement in December 1989, he and his wife decided to stay at East Quirino Hill barangay, together with their daughter, Susan Pangisdan.
However, his wife died due to a chronic illness in 2016.
Besuayan is said to be a loving and caring father who takes good care of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The resolution revealed that Besuayan be awarded the privileges pursuant 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 and as amended by Ordinance No. 10, series of 2022.
