Osmeña gives recognition to Cebuano centenarians

CEBU, Philippines - Although Cebu City is already 80 years old, it is still younger than some of its citizens.

As the city celebrates its 80th Charter Day, five centenarians who have seen the changes in the city through the years were given recognition during the 80th Charter Day Testimonial Dinner held last Friday night at the Grand Convention Center.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña with members of the City Council who were present during the dinner gave out plaques of recognition to Ramona Briones, Pedro Mandantes Sr., Emiliana Agot, Ana Gabutan, and Felisidario Berioso Sr., and kissed the hands of the lolos and lolas last night.

Other than the plaque, the centenarians were also given P100,000.

Gabutan, 104, who gets around on a wheelchair because of her frail legs after it was sprained, expresses her joy by giving kisses to people she met.

"Nalipay ko'g dako," Gabutan said on the recognition she received.

Despite her deafness, Gabutan was talkative and was able to cheerfully tell The FREEMAN the key to her long life.

“Utan,” Gabutan said, laughing as she recalled the food she eats — vegetables like malunggay, squash, and more vegetables and dried fish.

Because of his old age at 103, Berioso already suffers Alzheimer's disease.

His son, Felisidario Berioso Jr. said old age is really in their family. He recounted his father’s siblings and their father lived into their 90s and even beyond a hundred.

Berioso Sr. and his wife have 10 children, Berioso Jr. being the youngest.

This recognition given to centenarians is part of Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarian Act which honors and grants “additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians.”

The act enables Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, and are still residing in the country or abroad would be honored with “A Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity; and A Centenarian Gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00).”

The Centenarian Awardees were among the people given recognition during the Testimonial Dinner. Among the awards given were the Mayor's Special Award and Posthumous Award. —/JBB (FREEMAN)