Thursday, September 28, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home LGUs Luzon

Ecija centenarian’s secret to long life

Ferdie G. DomingobyFerdie G. Domingo
February 19, 2017, 12:01 am
in Luzon
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija— This 100-year-old lady still washes her own laundry, does toilet habits on her own, walks by her lonesome with a cane, eats food with gastronomic passion and engages in neighborhood talk.

But she is no ordinary senior citizen.

Centenarian Dionisia Mamaclay-Reyes of Barangay Sta. Cruz in this town still alive and kicking. She turned 100 years old last Dec. 6 and expects to live some more years actively and somehow spritely at that.

Lola Dionisia still has an impeccable sense of humor. When asked what’s her secret for longevity, her answer nearly floored everyone when she quickly replies without batting an eyelash, “puffing cigarettes every day.”

CASH FOR CENTENARIANS. Rosalinda Fabreo and Purificasion Esberto receive their checks for P100,000 from Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla (standing, fourth from left) and provincial officials in fulfillment of the province’s Centenarian Ordinance of 2014. 
Ben Moses Ebreo

“I’ve been smoking cigarettes since I was nine years old,” enthuses Reyes when she sat down for an interview with this reporter.

From La Campana to Balintawak to Marvels, the cigarette brands she’s tried goes on and on.

She said she felt good chomping cigarettes, practically disproving conventional wisdom which says smoking is bad for everybody’s health.

Lola Dionisia shrugs this medically proven threat off. “Pampahaba ng buhay ‘yon (That gives you a long life),” she said with a chuckle.

As if to prove her point, she lit up a cigarette stick from a pack and went smoking while fielding questions.

Research and experts’ advice have revealed that smoking can cause lung disease by damaging the airways and the small air sacs found in lungs. Lung diseases caused by smoking includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.

According to the American Lung Association, there are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 69 of which are known to cause cancer.

Mamaclay-Reyes, who has not encountered any serious illness, said when she met a doctor, Roland Valdez and told him of her “longevity secret,” the latter advised her to “continue smoking.”

A mother to seven siblings, four of whom were still alive, Mamaclay-Reyes never entered school. She is also fond of singing.

Her daughter Lucita, the eldest of the surviving siblings, said her mother also is fond of eating and drinks up to seven glasses of coffee a day. “She gets mad when I try to prevent her from drinking coffee,” she said with a laugh.

Dionisia Mamaclay-Reyes

Lola Dionisia’s family has a history of longevity. Two of her sisters, Gregoria Madrid and Consuelo died at the age of 105 years and 103 years, respectively. She lost her husband, Nicanor Reyes, who died at the age of 97.

The centenarian gets to mingle with his children who are still alive: Lucita, 66; Antonio Reyes, 62; Ligaya Gatlabayan, 60 and Gerardo Reyes, 55. Gone were Ricardo Reyes, Gregorio Reyes and Juanita Castro, who all died ahead of her due to various ailments, and Gregorio due to lung cancer.

A certificate of live birth was issued last Dec. 14 by the Zaragoza municipal civil registrar Lorna Bacani-Azarcon for Mamaclay-Reyes who was born on Dec. 6, 1916.

Despite the wear and tear, Mamaclay-Reyes said she never felt she is slowing down, despite a recent freak accident when she fell from her bed and suffered lumps in her face.

She said she wants to continue to enjoy life and live it to the fullest, with his family and relatives.

“Gusto ko pang mabuhay dito sa mundo. Masaya naman ako. Ang mga apo ko mababait. Mahal na mahal nila ako [I still want to live in this world. I am happy. My grandchildren are kind. They love me so much],” she said.

Lately, she has also been gulping down bottles of a popular energy drink endorsed by retired NBA legend Michael Jordan which, her relatives swore, makes her feel stronger.

The chinky-eyed “super lola” still has good eyesight and does not wear eyeglasses. Occasionally, she would call her grandchildren over the phone.    

Appeal to President Duterte

Mamaclay-Reyes has been shuttling from this town to relatives in Gen. Natividad town and to Cabanatuan City, hoping to someday soon receive the much-awaited financial incentive and benefits for centenarians like her.

Mamaclay-Reyes said that she feared that she may not be able to receive the P100,000 cash incentive as there are two other centenarians living in this town, one of whom died recently without even receiving a single centavo of the financial incentive due her under the law.

She said she did not want to suffer the same fate and appealed to President Duterte to grant her the incentive.

“Mahal na Presidente Duterte, ‘yung benepisyo po sana e inyong tulungang maipag-kaloob [Dear President Duterte, I am hoping you can help me get the benefits…] referring to the incentive.

Last year, then-President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10868 that will grant a P100,000 cash incentive and additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians.

Under the law, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 will receive a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines and the P100,000 cash gift, whether they are residing in the country or abroad.

They will also be awarded with a plaque of recognition and additional cash gift by their respective city or municipal governments during the National Respect for Centenarians Day, which is set on Sept. 25 of every year.

An estimated 3,500 centenarians were benefited by the enactment of the Centenarian Act.

She also called on the provincial government, led by Gov. Czarina Umali and the municipal government, led by Mayor Louella Belmonte, to help in facilitating the release of the monetary incentives provided by law.

Asked what she would do if she receives the cash windfall, she said she would divide it equally among her grandchildren whose number she could no longer recall.

Tags: CentenarianDionisia Mamaclay-Reyeslong lifeNueva EcijaSenior Citizen
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferdie G. Domingo

Ferdie G. Domingo

Related Posts

LTO orders owner of Honda car in viral video to produce road-raging driver

byRio N. Araja
September 26, 2023, 11:10 pm
0
8
‘LTO failed to enforce Motorbike Crime Act’

THE Land Transportation Office has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the registered owner of a vehicle whose driver figured...

Read more

Solons hand out masks, ask for N95, other supplies vs. Batangas vog

byMaricel Cruz
September 25, 2023, 11:10 pm
0
8
Pharmacy jabs

Lawmakers continued to distribute face masks and other supplies to residents of Batangas affected by the volcanic smog or vog...

Read more

Malolos mayor ensures safety of 30k Bulacan State U students

byOrlan L. Mauricio
September 25, 2023, 11:05 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

MALOLOS CITY –The safety and well-being of some 30,000 students of the Bulacan State University is a top priority concern...

Read more

Puerto Princesa mayor urges parents to get kids vaxxed vs. cervical cancer

byManila Standard
September 25, 2023, 5:33 pm
0
8
Puerto Princesa mayor urges parents to get kids vaxxed vs. cervical cancer

The City of Puerto Princesa through the leadership of Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron is committed to increase human papillomavirus (HPV)...

Read more

Batangas barangays get solar streetlights for safety and sustainability

byManila Standard
September 23, 2023, 8:30 pm
0
8
Angeles products go to Japan

Two barangays in the province of Batangas were the beneficiaries of a donation of solar streetlights to assist in the...

Read more

First Zambales hybrid workspace opens

byButch Gunio
September 23, 2023, 8:20 pm
0
8
Angeles products go to Japan

Subic Bay Freeport–The first-ever hybrid workspace in Zambales opened at the Pacific Ace Building in this premiere freeport. SBMA Chairman...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • PSC chief Bachmann: More medals will come
  • Real estate winners
  • Pirates vow not to relax after victory over Knights
  • Energy summit
  • Azkals need to be ‘brutal’
  • 2 eagles drive Uy to ICTSI Mimosa romp
  • Tudor’s De Kleijn tops stage 8, Carr keeps Langkawi leadership 
  • Coca-Cola PH, partners collect more than 1,000 kgs of waste in coastal cleanup in Tanza, Cavite

Advertisement

Latest News

2 eagles drive Uy to ICTSI Mimosa romp

byManila Standard
September 28, 2023, 8:45 pm
0
8
Blazers trade Lillard to Bucks

Clark Freeport Zone—Daniella Uy dusted herself off a previous setback that ruined a three-straight title drive and went right back...

Read more

Tudor’s De Kleijn tops stage 8, Carr keeps Langkawi leadership 

byRandy Caluag
September 28, 2023, 8:40 pm
0
8
Blazers trade Lillard to Bucks

MELAKA, Malaysia--Arvid De Kleijn of Tudor Pro Cycling Team again displayed his vaunted sprint prowess and won his second stage...

Read more

Coca-Cola PH, partners collect more than 1,000 kgs of waste in coastal cleanup in Tanza, Cavite

byManila Standard
September 28, 2023, 8:35 pm
0
8
Coca-Cola PH, partners collect more than 1,000 kgs  of waste in coastal cleanup in Tanza, Cavite

Coca-Cola Philippines, together with Plastic Bank Philippines and Lighthouse Legacy Foundation, led over 200 volunteers to collect debris and marine...

Read more

Blazers trade Lillard to Bucks

byAFP
September 28, 2023, 8:35 pm
0
8
Blazers trade Lillard to Bucks

LOS ANGELES­—Damian Lillard is headed to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he’ll team with two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo...

Read more

Marcos hails work of outstanding Filipinos

byCharles Dantes
September 28, 2023, 8:30 pm
0
8
Nueva Ecija, Quezon rally past MPBL foes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday hailed outstanding Filipinos who showed excellence in their respective fields and cited their contributions...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Pets
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Cravings
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Agriculture
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App