Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza treated three centenarians who celebrated their birthdays recently.
And like in any other birthday party, Mayor Radaza brought birthday cake, lechon, balloons and pancit to fête the birthday celebrant.
She also dug into her own pockets for cash gifts ranging from P30,000 to P40,000. The Lapu-Lapu City Council is still in the process of approving an ordinance presenting a P100,000 cash gift to an Oponganon who turns 100 years old and older.
Yesterday, Mayor Radaza surprised Pacita Aubejero at the Mactan Air Base in Barangay Pajo while she was celebrating her 101st birthday. Aubejero is a native of Bacolod City who resettled in the air base in the early 1980s with her daughter who married an airman.
Pacita Aubejero, 101, makes a wish and blows the candles of her birthday cake at her home in the Mactan Air Base (CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN MENDOZA)
Though she is visually-impaired and requires help when she walks, she is able to hear and hold a conversation.
She proudly declares she drinks at least three glasses of whisky each week and sometimes smokes tobacco leaf up to the present, “dili ko abusado sa lawas niadtong hingkod pa (I did not abuse my body when I still young), she said.
Last March 16, Faustina Labarejos of purok Kapayas, barangay Canjulao got a birthday treat from the mayor.
Faustina Labarejos, 100, of barangay Canjulao takes a deep breath before blowing the candles of her birthday cake.(CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN MENDOZA)
She is still spry and her hearing and sight are good. She loves to eat vegetables and imbibes in moderation. She has 29 grandchildren and more than 50 great-grandchildren.
Feliciana Pagobo of sitio Malingin, barangay Punta Engaño celebrated her 100th birthday last February 25 with Mayor Radaza in her humble home.
Mayor Paz Radaza assists Feliciana Pagobo, 100, at the latter’s home in Sitio Malingin barangay Punta Engaño (CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN MENDOZA)
Pagobo eats all kinds of food but when she turned 98 years old, she started to moderate her food intake. She is still able to hear and see and can identify people.
She thanked the mayor for the presents and the program for the seniors and centenarians. She hopes to see the mayor in the coming years.
Mayor Radaza said she spends time and resources to celebrate with centenarians to encourage people to live healthful lives.