4 Pangasinan war vets’ longevity secrets: Eating veggies, praying

LINGAYEN, Philippines— Four centenarians – all World War II veterans who were among those honored during the 75th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and the 13th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration yesterday – have two secrets to longevity: eating more vegetables and praying.

Gregorio Martinez, 101, from the province’s Bugallon town who can still talk, walk and even dance, said he eats anything, but more on vegetables.

Martinez added that he goes around their house without a wheelchair as part of his daily exercise.

And he also prays a lot – leaving to God the right time for him to rest.

“I’m already old and have lots of bonuses in my life,” the veteran said.

Martinez reminisced about his difficult fight with Japanese invaders that he said still makes him cry.

“It was hard and I was imprisoned for three months,” he said, adding that he handled machine gun during the war, together with two other companions.

He also sustained a gunshot in his left foot during the war.

Santiago Genechano, also 101, from Barangay San Macario Sur, Natividad, recounted that he was in Isabela during the war.

Genechaco can still walk, eats fruits and vegetables and drinks milk to keep fit.

He said he is thankful to God for giving him a long life.

Valentin Untalan Sr., 103, from Barangay Doyong in Calasiao recalled tohe escaped and was captured in Orion, Bataan. “I escaped four times,” he said.

Untalan said the memories of war bring him to tears. He is thankful to God that he is still alive.

Untalan has been based in the United States for many years, but he requested to be brought back to the Philippines last year.

He still reads and goes around the house as his form of exercise and way of keeping fit.

Gregorio Natarte Erese, 103, a former prisoner of war from Trenchera, Tayug also goes around his house without a wheelchair and sometimes sweeps the floor.

Erese loves eating vegetables, especially ampalaya or bitter gourd.

Asked how he is, he responded clearly, “Mabuti (I’m well).”

Erese said he took a bath early morning to attend yesterday’s event.

Told that he still looks handsome and is possibly a “chickboy” (heartthrob) during his younger years, he said in jest, “Siyempre (Of course).”

Some 30 oldest Pangasinan World War II veterans were accorded the US Congressional Gold Medal at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen in a ceremony led by US Embassy Senior Defense Officer Stephen Ma and Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino III.

Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson, along with other Australian and provincial officials, also led the inauguration of the Royal Australian Navy Marker.

“The celebration of the 75th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary and the 13th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day is to commemorate and honor the WW2 veterans and their colleagues whose perseverance and resolve ultimately led to the liberation of the Philippines from invading hostile forces through the Lingayen Gulf,” the marker read.

“Among these veterans were soldiers from the Royal Australian Navy whose camaraderie proved to be a vital strength in the pursuit of freedom. Together with representatives from the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian embassy, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan is proud to unveil this marker to pay tribute to the significance of Australian-Filipino relations and to memorialize the growth of this remarkably historical and noble friendship,” it added.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said in his speech that on momentous events such as yesterday’s event, “we are reminded of the bravery, resilience and sacrifice of our fellow countrymen in the face of severe adversity.”

“Indeed their sacrifices and efforts are immeasurable and incomparable,” Lambino said.

For Espino, the veterans’ sacrifices will never be in vain and their memory will remain.

“We will teach the next generation about being grateful and to know how to love. If you know how to love, you will know how to sacrifice,” he said.