BAGUIO CITY — One of those recognized by the Baguio City government on its 109th Charter Day celebrations last Sept. 1 was Agnes Balong, a 100-year-old housewife, who has lived in Barangay Bakakeng Norte, Baguio City since birth.
In a nutshell, Arevallo says eating healthy food, combined with regular physical activity can make a person live a century.Balong’s youngest daughter, Eleanor Arevallo, tells the Philippine News Agency (PNA) how her mother has lived in the past 100 years and surely, even beyond.
She says her mother is an advocate of healthy lifestyle, which she has passed on to her children and grandchildren.
“She would always eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, especially root crops, from our backyard,” she says.“Even our ancestors had the same lifestyle.”
Arevallo notes her mother never had any vice during her younger years, something that has added to her long life.
“As her daughter, I also encourage her to drink milk, of course, to have strong bones, and vitamins, aside from her medication,” she says.
Agnes Balong was born on June 18, 1918 and had always lived in Barangay Bakakeng Norte in the city, where she was raised by her farmer parents.
Her grandparents were into farming as well, which made fruits and vegetables readily available at the dinner table, encouraging her to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Arevallo said her mother has devoted her life caring for all six children and husband Leonardo Apic, who was a World War II veteran.
She shares that despite her mom’s advanced age, she remains to have a good memory.
“As a matter of fact, my mom can still recall her memorable experiences when she was young–having her own backyard with vegetables,” the centenarian’s daughter relates.
As of 2011, there were already 26 centenarians in Baguio, including this year’s three awardees–Balong, 100; Francisca Mendoza, 101 years old; and Prisca Noay, 102..
Francisca Mendoza, a resident of Barangay City Camp Central was born in Poblacion, San Carlos City, Pangasinan. She is married and has nine children.
In her younger years, Mendoza used to be an ambulant vendor selling her ware on the city’s streets to earn a living for her family. Like Balong, she has observed an active and healthy lifestyle, keeping a healthy diet.
Mendoza, however, was unable to receive her award from the city government during the Sept. 1 Foundation Day of the city, as she is already bedridden.
102-year-old Prisca Naoy, meanwhile, was born in Besao, Mountain Province. She is the fourth child in her family.
Naoy completed Grade 3 but was unable to pursue her studies even after the end of second World War.
She married Paulino Nacy who is a miner and they were blessed with two children. Like Mendoza, she was also unable to receive the award for being immobile.
Recognition
The city government of Baguio values the contributions of the elderly in nation building and the city’s development for longevity by awarding and rewarding citizens who are able to reach 100 years.
The local government passed Ordinance 45 series of 2013 on Aug. 30, 2013, declaring that awardees will receive a plaque and a congratulatory resolution from the city government, a cash award of PHP10,000, regular monthly visit by government health personnel for check-ups, and other benefits.
In 2016, the city council amended the ordinance, raising the cash incentive to PHP20,000 and adding a PHP5,000-birthday gift. (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA)
