Centenarian Magdalena R. Flores was born on April 4, 1925 in the province of Capiz but for more than five decades she has called Manila her home, where she lives with her only daughter and her granddaughters.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard, her daughter Merrian Flores-Madayag said she has always been surrounded by her family ensuring she is never left alone.
“Her four granddaughters share in the caregiving, and we are fortunate that three of them are healthcare professionals (two nurses and a doctor), so lola receives attentive care every day… For someone who has reached a century of life, lola is remarkably healthy. She deals only with age-related conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and mild hyperacidity/GERD, as well as low vision and impaired hearing,” she said.
She added her mother has regular check-ups at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.
Occasionally, Nanay Magdalena experiences constipation, which is common in advanced age. After their recent precautionary visit to the hospital, they increased her fiber intake by adding even more vegetables and fresh fruits to her daily meals.
Merrian shared that her mother’s maintenance medicines including Felodipine and Trimetazidine help keep her in good condition, along with multivitamins, B-complex supplements, and prescribed eyedrops.
Although her appetite has naturally decreased, Nanay Magdalena still enjoys three small meals a day and prefers simple yet nourishing food. Her favorites include Pinakbet and Dinengdeng, traditional Ilocano dishes cooked by her daughter.
Nanay Magdalena also delights in a bar of Cloud 9 chocolate reminding Merrian to restock when she runs low. Likewise, she enjoys soft biscuits and cool desserts like fruit salad, ice cream, Slurpees, and fruit shakes.
“Because of her hyperacidity, we avoid serving her overly sour, oily, or spicy foods, as advised by her doctor. And when it comes to sweets, the doctor encourages us to let her enjoy them in moderation because maintaining her appetite and joy is what matters most,” Merrian said.
At around 5:00 a.m., Nanay watches Eat Bulaga on the television beside her bed in the afternoon, and diligently catching the evening news before retiring for the night at 7:00–8:00 p.m.
“Be patient and understanding with your grandmothers and grandfathers. This stage of their lives calls for love and compassion. Caring for an elderly family member is not an obligation—it is an honor and a privilege,” she said.
Taking care of Manila seniors
Manila Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Director Shey Sakaluran Mohammad said there are 216,613 registered senior citizens in the capital city across 6 legislative districts.
She shared that the office receives an average of 80 new senior citizens per day.
The OSCA is monitoring the implementation of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, especially the discounts given in medicines, cinemas, restaurants.
Likewise, they also implement the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024 noting the national government gives P10,000 cash benefits for those senior citizens upon reaching 80, 85, 90 and 95 years old. Meanwhile, centenarians or those aged 100 also receive P100,000.
“Recently, we were able to distribute over 1,500 senior citizens who reached the milestone of 80, 85, 90 and 95 received cash benefits. Meanwhile, 3 centenarians were also given P100,000 this year. Aside from the one given by the national government, the city government of Manila jointly implements DSWD’s social pension for indigent senior citizens giving P1,000 per month and we were able to distribute 30,125 indigents,” said Mohammad.
Other efforts funded and initiated by the local government also includes:
lEnsure Milk Program: each senior citizen receives Ensure milk products yearly
lCake my Day: monthly house-to-house delivery of senior citizens celebrating their birthdays (20,060 cakes delivered as of September 17)
lManila Centenarians: receive P100,000 from the national government and P100,000 from the city government totaling to P200,000
lPamaskong Handog: christmas gift package for senior citizens
lInter-agency programs: Manila Public Employment Service Office (PESO) partnered with food establishments where capable senior citizens are employed; launching of freelance community-tour guide opportunity for senior citizens to be conducted by Department of Tourism (DOT), Intramuros Administration, and PESO
lPrivate partnerships: free dentures for senior citizens
