Centenarians receive cash gifts

SENIOR citizens in Cebu City who have reached a hundred years old were honored by the City Government during its 76th Charter Day celebration.

The City distributed awards to eight centenarians and gave them P100,000 each during the Charter Day anniversary testimonial dinner held Sunday night at Waterfront Hotel in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

The centenarians are Teofila Fernandez Alino, 101, of Barangay Cogon Pardo, Irene Famador Leyson, 100, of Barangay Pit-os, Nazaria Matig-a Bantila, 101, of Barangay Busay, and Ma. Isip Ochia, 101, of Barangay Sambag 1.

Also awarded were Conrado Canaya Reyes, 100, of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Lucila Yncierta, 101, of Barangay Lahug, Justina Arenansa, 102, of Barangay Mabolo, and Simeon Rama Supla, 103, of Barangay Talamban.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Ma. Lourdes Sanchez, daughter in-law of Leyson, said their family is thankful for the award.

The cash assistance, she said, will be used to buy medicines for Leyson.

Because of old age, Leyson has a hard time speaking and can no longer hear.

Sanchez attributed the long life of Leyson, who is the eldest of 10 children and one of the only five siblings who are still alive, to exercise.

The awards and financial assistance to the centenarians is based on City Ordinance 2235.

The ordinance says that those who will qualify for the recognition must be a centenarian who is a resident of the city for the past 10 years.

Aside from the centenarians, the City also handed out other special awards to outstanding institutions and individuals.

For the mayor’s special award, the awardees are SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, 888 News Forum, Lourdes Jereza and Punta Princesa Barangay Captain Jose Navarro.

For the outstanding institution award, the awardees are the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, International Pharmaceuticals Inc, and the Rotary Club of Cebu West.

For the outstanding individual awards, the awardees are Architect Socorro Atega for helping the City in the beautification and management of the city’s rivers, and Raymond Alcoseba Aba of the University of Cebu chorale, for winning an international recognition.