The joy of living the golden years

CEBU - At 101, Emiliana Cabreros still couldn’t believe she has lived more than a century. 

Nevertheless, this centenarian (born March 5, 1907) from Punta Princesa, Labangon, who had seven children and even outlived two of them, credits her longevity to healthy eating, active lifestyle and sunny disposition.   

For her everyday diet, she eats lots of vegetables, mostly kamunggay and camote tops. Her daily grind may not be as active as before, but she makes it a point to contribute to the household chores—and is still a force to reckon with among her dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Kusog pa kaayo siya mo-gahot,” daughter, Raymunda, said.  

Her daughter proudly added that even if her mother’s life was no bed of roses, having forced to raise all of her kids by her lonesome after their father left them, she has had kept her sense of humor intact.

“Bisan og pobre mi, si-aw ug komedyante kaayo ang among inahan.”

Cabreros was the most senior of the three longest-living residents of Cebu City who were awarded during the opening day of the 3rd Convention on Gerontology and Geriatrics held at the Cebu Grand Convention Center yesterday. The convention bears the theme, “The Joy of Living the Golden Years and Beyond.”  

The two other centenarians recognized were Apolonia Tantiedo of Bulacao, Pardo and Rufina Jacaban of Brgy. Kalunasan.  

To celebrate their golden year, they were given a birthday cake, a certificate of recognition, and P3,000 cash from the convention’s organizer, the Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. (GCCI), a six-year-old organization of senior citizens and retirees.

The centenarians also rendered a dance number much to the delight of the audience.

Gerontologist Dr. Amparo Florida, GCCI president, said, “These centenarians are a picture of good mental and physical health. They hardly had been seriously ill in their whole lives. Their blood pressure is very normal at 110/80. Their hearing and memory are still good and they can walk—and even dance — practically unaided.”

Dr. Florida further noted that while genes are one factor to consider in studying a person’s longevity (both Jacaban and Cabreros’ mothers passed away past 100 years old) the major part of the equation is their lifestyle.

“The common denominator among the three is that their diet is healthy since they hardly eat meat, except during fiestas. They are not sedentary. As farmers, they are used to being busy.”

Take for example, Jacaban, she said that she still ploughs fields and rides the habal-habal—a years-long routine that these days, however, elicits incredulous reactions from young people.  

“Pero kapoy kaayo kung sige og puyo,” Jacaban explained. Except during the World War II, she had never suffered from a grave sickness or even from the ravages of old age.

For Tantiedo, who has outlived five of her eight children, she largely believes that she has lived this long through prayers. “Kada adlaw, kada gabii, nagpasalamat ko sa Ginoo sa taas nakong kinabuhi.”

Since every October, the whole nation observes the month for the elderly, Dr. Florida hopes that with activities such as the 3rd Convention of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the only convention of its kind in the Philippines, the needs of elderly people will be brought to attention and addressed.

Interesting topics during the two-day event, which drew participants from all over the country, include Sexuality in the Golden Years and Beyond; Bridging the Gap Between the Young Once and Young Ones; The Joy of Caregiving; and The Elderly in This Dot.com Generation. — Nathalie M. Tomada  (THE FREEMAN)