Lucilla Vallarta Yncierto refuses to be weighed down by problems. Instead, she keeps a pleasant disposition, which, her relatives say, is her secret to long life.
Lucilla is 101 years old but remains in good health despite weakening knees, deteriorating vision and signs of senility, according to her son-in-law, Lawrence Lim.
“She doesn’t have diabetes. Her blood pressure is OK and her heart is good. She has no dietary restrictions. She just doesn’t want to worry,” Lim says.
Lucilla was among eight centenarians who were given recognition by the Cebu City government during a testimonial dinner at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Barangay Lahug on Feb. 24, in celebration of the city’s 76th Charter Day anniversary.
Also honored were Teofila Fernandez-Alino, Irene Famador Leyson, Nazaria Matig-a Bantillan and Maria Isip Ochia, all 100; Condrado Canaya Regis, 101; Justina Amatog Arinasa, 102; and Simeon Rama Suplac, 103.
Gifts
Each received a plaque of recognition and a P100,000 check from the city government.
Suplac walked onstage, escorted by two female companions. The others were either in wheelchairs or were walking with canes.
Lucilla, wearing a white dress and red shawl, sat on her wheelchair and did not seem to understand what was happening. She repeatedly asked her youngest child, Nenette, and her husband, Lawrence, to be brought home.
Born on Oct. 31, 1911, in Boljoon town in southern Cebu, Lucilla was only 15 when she went to Cebu City to find a job. There, she also found her love.
She married Chinese businessman Leon Tan, and they had nine children. In 1994, her husband, then 94, died; she was then 83.
Nenette says her mother has been a good housewife and parent. “She never worked when she got married. She was just at home to take care of us,” she says.
Secrets
Lawrence says he once asked his mother-in-law to reveal her secret to longevity. “Her reply was she didn’t want to be sad. There were times when her husband would go astray, but she chose not to worry.”
Nenette says now that her mother is already old, it is the children’s turn to take care of her.
She would prepare her mother’s food. She and her siblings would join Lucilla in singing “Pobreng Alindahaw,” her mother’s favorite song, and in watching TV.
Lucilla has kept her habit of watching afternoon soap operas despite her now poor eyesight.
Her children and grandchildren would talk to her even if she would start to converse in Filipino, English or Chinese.
Nenette recalls the family had planned to hold a party at Grand Convention Center to celebrate Lucilla’s 100th birthday on
Oct. 21 2011.
But Lucilla had to be hospitalized so the event was canceled.
Hospital stay
A day before her birthday, the family took her to a hospital after she complained of chest pains. But the ECG results were normal, and Lucilla was sent home.
The family still pushed through with the celebration although it was held in their residence at Gemsville Subdivision in Barangay Lahug.
It remained special with members of a family being so grateful for their mother’s long life.
Although she can eat whatever she wants, Lucilla’s children have put her on a soft diet and limited her food to Cerelac, fruits and Ensure, an adult nutritional supplement, because she cannot chew properly.