Life is short, as they say, but there are a few fortunate people who live longer than most of us do these days.
In the province of Ilocos Sur, municipality of Cervantes, a 111-year-old grandma and the oldest living centenarian of Ilocos Region does not change her life status over the years – modest and quiet, which is a component to her longevity.
Monica Timaang of Brgy. Comillas North was born on the 4th of February 1912 and has six children – two from her first husband and four from the second. She originally plants corn, sweet potato and other root crops sold to the neighborhood or delivered to the market during her prime.
Leticia Tomalban, one of her granddaughters, said that her “Apong” always lived a simple life away from the urban place, planting vegetables for their daily living and doing the traditional “panag-abel” or weaving as a hobby during her younger years.
“When I ask her the things she does to reach her centenarian age, she’d accurately tell that it’s just the simple living they have,” Leticia said.
“She doesn’t have any complaints,” Leticia stated, adding her Apong’s life contentment amidst every hindrance. This must have been because she came from a humble family and experienced unfortunate life at a young age.
Lola Monica already lost her eyesight and her sense of hearing slowly weakens due to aging but can still talk joyously.
Because she enjoys eating, Lola Monica is blessed with wonderful health and is still going strong at 100 years old. However, she now spends the majority of her time in bed due to old age.
Recently, DSWD Field Office 1 visited Lola Monica and awarded her with a certificate as the oldest living centenarian in Region 1. She was also given grocery gift for her longevity.
Leticia, who is currently the caregiver of Lola Monica, added it gives her so much joy to take care of her grandmother with the assistance of their other relatives who are close to them. “It’s not easy but it feels worthy, just seeing her still being alive at her age is a different kind of happiness deep inside,” she tearfully exclaimed. (by: Jesslyn Keith B. Valite, Information Officer I – Social Marketing Unit)
