San Fernando centenarians get cash gifts from mayor

By Erwin G. Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- Three centenarians were cited here as the oldest living persons and were given cash gifts of P50,000 each in the Christmas celebration of the Senior Citizens Association (SCA) at a restaurant Tuesday.

Mayor Pablo C. Ortega presented the awards to Magdalena Gurtiza, 101 years old and born on May 15, 1913 of Barangay Apaleng; Leoncia Graycochea, 102 years old and born on Jan. 9, 1912 of Barangay Cabaroan; and Laureano Flores, 103 years old and born on May 25, 1911 of Barangay Bungro.

During the awarding ceremony, the three centenarians, all wheel chair-bound, were too weak to talk but were able to show their gratitude with their wide-eyed enthusiasm and huge smiles during the program, according to SCA president Rogelio Jubilo.

Vice Mayor Hermenegildo Dong Gualberto and the city council also presented Christmas gifts to the SCA members for the year and also treated them to a sumptuous meal.

Also present were SCA chairperson Natividad Pelaez, vice chairperson Erlinda Casuga and personnel of the social welfare office of the city government.