Villamor
Visitacion Villamor, 70, walks 12 kilometers daily from her home in barangay Binaliw to her farm in sitio Kan-irag, barangay Sirao in Cebu City.
In some instances, she also carries on her head bundles of flowers and baskets of fruits and vegetables that she harvested from her farm and deliver these to vendors selling in a portion of the transcentral highway, near Ayala Heights.
But she does not mind the long walk and the weight on her head. Villamor said walking keeps her fit in her old age.
“Kalooy sa Ginoo lagsik pa kaayo ko. Wala gyud koy gipamati sa akong lawas (Thank God I remain healthy. I don’t have any sickness to worry about),” she said.
Villamor also credits her good disposition and healthy lifestyle for her good health.
Her daily meals would always include a piece of “sili” (chili pepper) and eggs.
She would also drink a bottle of beer as a treat to herself after she collects her senior cash assistance from Cebu City Hall or if she wins in suertres, a numbers game. Villamor, a widow, now lives with her youngest son Harold.
One-way ride
One of her daughters died of cancer years back while her four other children are already married. Her husband, Hernani, died on June 24, 2013.
Villamor said she owns a motorcycle but she would rather walk the six kilometer distance from her house in barangay Binaliw to her small farm of 30 flower beds in Kan-irag.
Taking a motorcycle for hire would also mean paying P100 for a one-way ride.
Villamor said she also walks back home in the evenings to enjoy the night breeze.
Last Wednesday, Villamor walked the more than one kilometer from her farm to the transcentral highway twice to deliver flowers to roadside vendors.
Good disposition
She earned P400 for her first delivery and P300 for the second delivery.
The following day, she made her final delivery which consisted of anthuriums, paradise, storks and rosals.
The delivery, which she wrapped in plastic and carried on her head, weighed 12 kilos.
Villamor wore old sneakers and a jacket over her pants and blouse while she walked unaccompanied to the transcentral highway.
She was walking fast when Cebu Daily News chanced upon her.
Villamor said she also keeps a good disposition and good relations with others to spare herself of any headaches.
“Mas nindot gyud nang wala tay kontra aron dili mag labad atong ulo (It’s better not to have enemies so you won’t get a headache),” she said.
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