In the eyes of a centennial man

HIS eyes seem tired but they are gleaming with energy. His face appears world weary, but he is active and alert. He is the goldmine storehouse of knowledge of his family. He is a centennial man with the truest form of wisdom.

Servillano Pamawe Bedro, 101 years old, was born on February 20, 1916. He has five children. One passed away two years old. He lives in the Province of Camiguin. But later in year 1948 when Mt. Hibok-hibok erupted, he left the province and moved to Binitinan, Balingasag Misamis Oriental.

In his age, one would think that he is too old to live in this discriminating world. But he proved that he can still walk, read without eyeglasses, and even talk so lively. His memory is incredible too. He remembers like everything like it was just yesterday.

“I don’t have a secret. I just pray to God always because He owns our lives,” he shared when asked about his secrets in reaching this age.

“My thoughts are still like my younger days. I am not diagnosed with diseases. I just have mild illness sometimes, like fever, cough, and colds. But I don’t treat them with over-the-counter medicines, instead, I used herbal medicines,” said Bedro.

He also shared that he began his studies at the age of thirteen years old. During his studies, that was the time when the Philippines was still under control by the Americans. It was then that World War II caused immense damage to Filipinos with a million of casualties. After the war, Manuel Roxas was elected as President for the second independent Republic of the Philippines. The formal declaration was formally done by lowering the American flag in Luneta, Manila and raised the Philippine flag. The independence of the Republic of the Philippines was finally granted July 4, 1946.

“Our school superintendent was an American. We raised two flags during flag ceremony – first is the American flag, and then the Philippine flag. Then we sing the Land of the Morning anthem,” he said.

“But during our time, when you’re in Grade 2, students know how to speak English already. Though, not grammatically correct but at least the teacher will get your point. Our teachers were very strict before,” he added.

He only reached Grade 7 due to financial problems.

He worked as a farmer for a parcel of land. He said that at the age of 12 he already knew how to plow the fields, harvests rice, and transports abaca plants. To him that was an experience that he would never forget – when life throws a joke of poverty.

After farming the whole day, in the afternoon when he gets home, he never washes himself. He would just wipe his body with dry cloth, to avoid further complications. At dawn on the next day, he then takes a bath. Doing this, he never got the chance to be admitted in the hospital. Even today, his body is strong, and his feet can still step to where they should be going.

“But one thing I will never forget is the kind of poverty that I have been when I was at your age. Before, we’re really having a hard life. But now, it feels a little bit spacious,” he said.

Berdo shared his experience during the time of Martial Law in 1972. He was then 45 years old. He compared what was Martial Law then, and now – emphasizing that the Martial Law before is worst than now.

“When I was young, I used to walk Cagayan de Oro Hospital up to Camp Alagar, and no one will mind you. But, upon the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, it was very hard. We are really having a hard time. All our actions were guarded. Compared to now, it is really different. The problem now is the people. Before, if ever there is chaos, or people quarrel, what they did is simply battling with their principles. Unlike today, there are stabbing, shooting, burning, and beheading. Even if you’re just walking on the street, you will be stabbed by criminals, and so many other forms of violence,” he said.

His wife died at the age of 75, at least 20 years ago. He did not remarry.

He also said that all his batch were gone already. It was only him left. But you can see it on his face that he is very happy reaching this age. To note, his grandfather died at the age of 112. His mother died at the age of 110, and his sister at the age of 95. Most likely, one would think that this is heredity. But knowing how he takes care of himself, and that he never abuse his body, is also a great factor that contributes to a long life.

To a centennial man, it is unique for him to remember such things. At this age, he should be more susceptible to diseases and complications, to memory loss, and weak immune system, but he has none. He even wishes that he wants to reach the year 2020. By then, he will be turning 104.

On May 25, 2017, Bedro was given the title as Centennial Awardee of Region 10. He received an amount of P100, 000 from Balingasag Mayor and representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 10.

He also shared his message to the youth of today.

“This is what I want to tell to the youth, that they should not drink hard liquor too much. A kind of drinking that they almost died. They should not engage into illegal drugs. Because these are all the causes of crimes,” Bedro said.

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