TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Paola Walay Golingoy, a centenarian from Sitio Dananao, Brgy. Ipil, who was born on February 10, 1924, received his PhP100,000.00 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today, June 20.
Golingoy, who is the latest centenarian to be honored this year, is originally from Brgy. Dananao, Tinglayan before relocating to Tabuk after the 1990 earthquake.
He used to be a farmer in her prime, and despite being illiterate, she was nevertheless able to provide for her six children.
With 45 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, centenarian Golingoy stays with her fifth daughter Magdalena Gumabay who looks after her.
Golingoy, who lost her husband in 2017 in his 80’s does not suffer from any physical discomforts given her old age. She said she still wants to live, and continues to be active in church activities and goes to mass every Sunday.
Golingoy claims that her diet of mostly vegetables was the key to her long life. She said that one of her greatest life accomplishments was when she took over in caring after her two younger siblings when her parents died when she was only seven.
Apart from the PhP100, 000 incentive, the centenarian also received PhP50,000.00 from the city government last June 7, 2024, and is expected to receive the same amount from the provincial government anytime this year.
Representatives from the DSWD-CAR, Mayrivin Banawang and Aprille Ambeguia; with Marydhel Lattot, Social Welfare Officer at the City Special Concerns and Coordinating Office; Imelda Polig, the head of the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs; some children of the centenarian namely Eduardo, Magdalena, Luisa and Elena were personally responsible for presenting the centenarian cash incentive. By Darwin S. Serion