Former Olango captain marks 100th birthday

CEBU, Philippines - Olango Island’s Flaviano Ompad, a former tiniente del barrio (barangay captain) for more than 25 years, celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday.

Ompad, born in 1913 in Talima, Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu, is the fifth resident of Lapu-Lapu to have been honored by the city government for having reached the age of 100.

City Mayor Paz Radaza and some personnel of the City Social Welfare Office arrived at his house yesterday to greet him “happy birthday,” and presented him with a cake, a roasted pig, fried noodles, and other dishes.

Radaza also gave Ompad some cash, a gift from her and daughter Congresswoman Aileen Radaza.

Ompad is in good physical shape, can still walk, but can hardly hear.

He fathered 24 children, but only 10 are living. He has 90 grandchildren and 216 great grandchildren.

He is the eldest in the family. He has two sisters who are still alive.

Rizalino Ompad, 64, said his father is very good to everybody.

When he served as tiniente del barrio, he worked for the creation of Talima as a barangay separate from barangay Tingo.

Ompad, whose wife died in 1997, ran a sari-sari store and cultivated their property in the barangay. He also planted coconut trees.

He expressed his gratitude to Mayor Radaza for visiting him on his birthday.

He is close to the Radazas because the mother of former congressman Arturo Boy Radaza is related to the Ompads.

When asked about his secret for longevity, Ompad said he always prays to God.

“Usa ra gayud ang importante kaayo nga magpabilin ang atong kapiskay sa panglawas mao ang pag-ampo sa Labawng Makagagahom,” he said.

He said he admires women but added, “tigulang naman ta. Wala na tay mahimo. Huna-huna na lang.” (FREEMAN)