Last July 27, two centenarians from the City of San Fernando who celebrated their 100th birthdays last June have been given cash gifts of PhP 100,000 each.

Manong Dong Gualberto personally visited the two seniors namely Maria Balancio and Leonora Flores-Munar to congratulate them on this life milestone. Lola Maria and Lola Leonora hail from Sitios 3 and 4 respectively of Barangay Bungro.

According to Lola Maria’s proud second daughter Minda B. Flores, her mom imported fabric goods and mats made of buri palm or locally known as “ikamen” in the 80s and 90s. She sold these goods at the San Fernando wet market. Aside from that, she also sold several vegetables harvested before from their farm.

Minda also shared that her mother is a vegetarian and that this helped her reach the age of 100. Meanwhile, Lola Leonora is bedridden and is being cared for by Margarita Apiado, her seventh daughter.

Aside from the cash gifts, they were also given certificates by Manong Dong which stated: “With warmest love from People’s City of San Fernando, we wish to congratulate you for another milestone in your life. You have lived a hundred years of fruitful and meaningful memories, and we wish you more joyous and memorable ones.”

The City of San Fernando celebrates your lives, Lola Maria and Lola Leonora! We are grateful because of the inspiration you bring not only to your families but to our kakabsat in the City. In the time of pandemic in which we all strive to be healthy and safe against COVID-19, you have achieved a truly heartwarming and amazing feat.

Kakabsat, let us again congratulate our centenarians’ here in #SanFernandoTayo!