Lola Trining, or Trinidad Inciong-Sayo JEROME C. BALINTON
Unable to walk after suffering from a stroke in 2010, Trinidad Inciong-Sayo, fondly called Lola Trining, proved she is never too old to vote and to hope for a brighter future.
On May 13, Lola Trining was brought to the polling precinct in her wheelchair with help from her fourth child Yolanda Ansaldo, 62.
A mother of five with 26 grandchildren and great grandchildren, Lola is set to celebrate her 101st birthday on June 7.
Her husband, Olimpio, who is now deceased, is said to have served as Calatagan town mayor for 26 years, from 1945 until 1971.
Lola Trining said she has been participating in local and national elections since the country first held elections in the Commonwealth period in 1935 when Manuel L. Quezon was chosen president.
She said it is her civic duty to become part of the May 13 elections because society needs it.
Her eldest daughter, Erlina Dalita, 71, said Lola Trining “wants to help the people by taking Election Day as a very timely opportunity to select those who are fit to serve the people.”
“As long as she is capable, she wants to vote so she can help the public,” Dalita said.
A confessed big fan of superstar Nora Aunor, Lola Trining said she voted for Vilma Santos-Recto for Batangas governor.
Lola Trining said she has not lost hope the politicians and the youth today could make democracy work.
But she believes the government was run “better” before than it is now.
“Politicians before were kind and helpful unlike today when politicians are helping less,” Lola Trining said.
She said politicians before were less educated than those elected into office now. She said the politicians today should use their educational attainment to serve the people in a clean and honest manner.
Lola Trining lamented how the youth at present have become less courteous but she still believed they (youth) could still be instruments for change because of their education.
Lola Trining urged the politicians to help chart the direction of the youth toward ends that are meaningful.
She said during the time she served as first lady for her husband when he was mayor, she was also actively helping the people of Calatagan for their livelihood needs.
“Definitely, we are helping those who were in need. As he (husband Olimpio) helped them, I was also assisting them (needy)” Lola Trining said in Tagalog.
Lola Trining said the secret to her longevity is her big appetite for meat. “I love meat,” she said.
Her youngest son, Boy Sayo, 60, barangay (village) captain of Lucsuhin, said his mother doesn’t eat much fish and vegetables. “She has a big appetite for pork, beef and chicken, she really eats lots of meat,” he said.
Lola Trining frequently laughs at the simple jokes of his son Boy who said his mother has maintained a positive view of life and chose to be happy all the time.
Daughter Ansaldo recalled that her mother used to tell them, “We should be happy even if we are poor.”