Bulacan's century man wishes for longer life

OBANDO, Bulacan, Philippines – What does a man who has lived to be a hundred wish for on his birthday? A longer life.

Relatives and friends, young and old, gathered around Fortunato Sanchez Sr., and showered him with warm wishes and presents as he celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday.

Sanchez, wearing a black coat and tie, is known here as the “century man.” He was born on Dec. 11, 1911 in Bulacan and married Maria Corazon-Sanchez who died in 1998.

The union between Fortunato and Maria Sanchez produced 10 children, 50 grandchildren, and at least 70 great grandchildren. 

During his birthday party, he walked around with a cane and shared laughter with relatives.

“I wish God will grant me longer life, and I will live it for his glory,” Sanchez said during his 100th birthday celebration at Jacobe Soledad Garden at Barangay Paco here.

A religious man, Sanchez is one of the local leaders of the United Methodist Church in Paco.

His daughter Helen Sanchez-Cristobal said her father was among the first members of the church that started their meetings at his house in 1987.

She said that one of the secrets of her father’s long life is faith in God, which was manifested by his clean living without vices.

“He never smoked nor drank, he lived a clean life,” Cristobal said.

Sanchez said that during his 100 years on earth, he had seen the wrongdoings of people.

”People must change, there are many liars who exploit other people,” he said.

Violy Sanchez, one of the 10 children of the century man, said that her father --whose nickname is Onloy --finished elementary school and became a good fishpond caretaker.

His meager earnings at the fishpond were used to send all his children to school.