The Lapu-Lapu City government gave a surprise birthday party to a 102-year-old woman living in Barangay Pusok on Wednesday, March 6.
Maximina Quintero, a resident of Sitio Sta. Maria in Barangay Pusok, was not only treated with a cake and a birthday feast, but was also given P100,000 by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
Though she can no longer see clearly, Quintero said her hearing is still stable, though she occassionally needs to be whispered by her children and grandchildren.
The 102-year-old centenarian has eight children, but only four are still alive.
She also has 74 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Quintero's children boasted that their mother never experienced being hospitalized due to a strict healthy lifestyle.
Bonifacia Pocong, Quintero's 65-year-old daughter, said eating vegetables, swearing off pork and other meats; and drinking "tuba" or jungle wine are some of her mother's secrets to longevity.
“Nag-amping gyud siyas iyang lawas, mga mongos ug ubang utan ra iya kan-on, moinom ni siya ug tuba unya manabako sad usahay,” Pocong told Superbalita Cebu.
Pocong said her mother is accustomed to eating vegetables on a daily basis since she came from a family of farmers living in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.
Quintero transfered to Lapu-Lapu City on 1989.
Another secret to Quintero's longevity is not bathing during Tuesdays and Fridays, her daughter added.
Radaza personally turned over the cash gift to Quintero before her children and relatives on Wednesday.
Quintero was entitled to the P100,000 following the passage of a city ordinance that mandates the City to allocate funds for financial assistance to centenarians.
Quintero is the fourth centenarian from Lapu-Lapu City who received a cash assistance and birthday treat from the city since the ordinance was passed on 2017.
Radaza said that even before the ordinance was approved, she has been giving gifts to centenarians using her personal funds.
"It's already a reward for her that she is still with her family. The cash assistance is meant to give importance to our centenarians and how they continue to survive for their families," Radaza said, in Cebuano.
Pocong said she plans to use the cash gift to buy a wheel chair for Quintero as she always wanted to roam around the barangay despite her extreme old age.
What is left of the cash gift will be saved for Quintero's basic and medical needs, Pocong added.