BAGUIO CITY – As part of the “Elderly Filipino Month” celebration, the city of pines honored four centenarians last Tuesday October 4, 2016 at Baguio convention center for reaching one hundred years of age.
The elderly month celebration is done every year to gained support from our aging senior citizens creating positive image of aging and proving that it’s never too old to set another goal.
Rosalinda Ognayon a former farmer of Lubong Hungduan Ifugao and a wife of a wood carver is the oldest awardee this year. She celebrated her 101 birthday June 10, 2016.
She was born June 10, 1915 in Hungduan Ifugao but because of health issue she was force to move to leave with her son at Purok 3, Asin road Baguio city.
Other centenarian awardees this year who all celebrated their 100th year birthday are Mr. Fruto Dalmas of San Vicente (January 17, 2016). Maria Insigne of Upper Cabinet Hill (April 16, 2016) and Ceferino Cabasa of Military Cut Off (August 25, 2016). They were all born in 1915.
Dalmas is a former farmer and a miner while Insigne is a widow and their co-centenarian awardee Mr. Cabasa is retired employee of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
As prize for reaching one hundred years all centenarians were given a plaque of recognition and ten thousand pesos cash gift from the city.
City Social Welfare and Development Office (OCSWD) head Betty Fangasan said that aside from this recognition from the city, a recommendation paper is being prepared for the 100 thousand cash gift from Malacaňang thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Thru DSWD Cordillera we have already recommended our latest centenarians including awardees for the past years to Malacañang for the 100 thousand cash gift through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. There will be thirteen of them in the list” Fangasan said
Last June 23, 2016 former president Benigno Aquino III approved Republic Act 10868 or better known as Centenarian Act of 2016. An act honoring and granting additional benefits and privilege’s to Filipino centenarians.
The republic act states that all Filipinos who reach the age of one hundred (100) years old whether residing in the Philippines or abroad shall be honored with gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos.
Fangasan said that during her interview with the centenarians the secret to their long life is self-discipline. No bad habits like smoking, drinking, less fatty and very salty foods. They eat fresh fruits and vegetables from their backyard which is organically grown.
This year’s recognition and celebration of the Elderly Filipino Month themed “Pagmamahal at Respeto ng Nakababata, Nakapagpapaligaya sa Nakatatanda.”
By Dionisio Dennis Jr.
