Baguio to honor two lady centenarians

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government will honor two lady centenarians here for being icons of longevity, lighthouses of wisdom and pillars of moral strength.

            

Leonor Supsupin-Oliva of Scout Barrio barangay who turned 104 years old last June and Magdalena Datoc-Visperas, 103 of Salud Mitra barangay were cited in separate resolutions approved by the city council last week.  

           

They will be feted in simple but fitting ceremonies to be arranged later, according to the body.

Proponent Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said the tribute is in line with the thrust to honor centenarians for surpassing three decades of the average life expectancy which is already an achievement itself as champion in House Bill 834 passed on third and final reading on March 2012. 

           

“Exhibiting a trait deeply engrained in the Filipino culture, Baguio City recognizes the significant role that our elderly play in society, being looked up to for wisdom and guidance,” the body noted in the resolutions authored by all of the councilors.  

       

Oliva was born on June 30, 1908 at Naguilian, La Union where the fact of her birth is duly registered.  

           

She attended Grade I class at Naguilian Convent School then transferred to Irisan Elementary School, Baguio City in Grade II.

           

Because of the escalating First World War then, Ms. Oliva was not able to pursue further her studies, but she is highly literate. 

           

She married and complemented the family income as a vendor at the Baguio City Public Market, as rice dealer, house caretaker and as a dressmaker in a dress factory.  The Oliva couple is blessed with 11 children, eight of them surviving, and with around 300 grandchildren at present.

           

She revealed that one of the secrets of her longevity is her vegetarian diet, coupled with a very

Datoc-Visperas was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on July 30, 1903.

           

Lola Nena, as she is fondly called, was orphaned at age the and along with her three brothers, they were adopted by their aunt who brought them to Baguio City in a caravan of cow-driven carts, selling wares along the way;

           

She grew up selling vegetables and native vinegar and wine (basi) to help in her and her siblings schooling.  

           

She finished her secondary education at St. Louis School of Campo Filipino and was among the 2nd batch of graduates in 1930. 

           

She then pursued her college education at the Baguio General Hospital School of Nursing and was one of its pioneer graduates.

Lola Nena was married to the late Engr. Feliciano L. Visperas, a civil engineer who worked at the mines in Benguet. Visperas.  

           

The couple was also the pioneer in the handicraft and wood carving business in Baguio.  

           

They were blessed with seven children and a total of 38 grandchildren;

Visperas was recognized as a Centennial Awardee during the Baguio Centennial year celebration in 2009.