2 centenarians die ahead of recognition

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—Two of the oldest persons in the province of North Cotabato have died before their formal recognition as centenarians in connection with the province’s 100th founding anniversary on September 1.

Tabeta Gamueda, 102, of the town of Kabacan died on June 30, while Carlos Melchor, 113, of Mlang, died on July 1, according to Ronald Montero, chair of North Cotabato’s search committee for centenarians.

Montero said the deaths of the two centenarians, who had gone through a verification process, saddened provincial officials because the province has lost two of its treasures.

He noted that Melchor had been credited for his role in the restoration of peace and order in Mlang by fighting against Moro rebels.

Montero said despite their deaths, Gamueda and Montero were still on the list of centenarian-awardees and their families would receive the cash gifts for them amounting to P10,000 each.

Montero said the search for centenarians was continuing and that it extended to Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Maguindanao all of which were part of the original Cotabato province.

The original, undivided province is now referred to by locals as Cotabato Empire.

Although commonly referred to as North Cotabato, the province’s official name still is Cotabato, which it retained even as its size gradually got whittled down with the creation of the other provinces over the years.

Montero said the oldest centenarian will receive P100,000 in cash and a plaque of recognition during the province’s centennial celebration.

Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza and Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa will hand over the awards to the centenarians, he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Victor James Yap of Glan in Sarangani province said the 100-day countdown to the town’s centennial celebration started on July 1.

Glan holds the distinction of being the oldest town in Sarangani province.

Yap said every effort has been made to ensure “a most memorable and enjoyable time as the town will be paying homage to the legacy of the service and achievements” of the town’s founding fathers.

Glan was founded on October 8, 1914 by a group of 16 Christian pioneers from Naga, Carcar, Hinatilan and Alegria, Cebu led by Don Tranquilino Ruiz, then superintendent of Agricultural Colony No. 9.

The town was among the first agricultural colonies established in Mindanao under the 1935 Commonwealth Government Resettlement Program.

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