RECOGNIZING their contribution not only to their respective families but to the progress and development of the city, the city government of Makati on Monday awarded P100,000 as cash gift to each of the three new centenarians, all women, in a ceremony held on January 24 on the 21st floor of Makati City Hall.
Mayor Kid Peña led the awarding ceremony attended by the two living centenarians and their family members, as well as the son of the other honoree who passed on last December a few days after she turned 100.
“We in Bagong Makati humbly take our hats off to our new centenarians who have contributed so much not only to their respective families, but to the progress and development of the city. The cash gift is but a simple token compared to the priceless contributions they had made to society,” Peña said.
The mayor also acknowledged their families for the love and support they have given to their elders.
“We admire you for the love and care you have given to the elderly members of your family that have helped them stay healthy and happy during their twilight years,” Peña said.
Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) Officer in Charge Remedios Ramos identified the three new awardees as Margarita Sanchez Ugarte of Barangay Dasmariñas, Valentina Perez San Jose of Barangay San Antonio, and Otilia Oliva Gustilo of Barangay Bel-Air, who passed on last December 14 after her 100th birthday on November 27.
Sanchez celebrated her 100th birthday last November 17. Even as a mother of five sons, she had actively engaged in dancing and sports activities, such as swimming and bowling. In fact, she used to join a regular bowling team at the Manila Polo Club. To date, she still does crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp.
San Jose was born in Cebu City on November 26, 1915. Sanchez, the youngest of 10 children, is the surviving spouse of a World War II veteran. She is described as a very supportive and loving mother to her only son Vicente. A former resident of Barangay Tejeros, she currently lives with her eldest granddaughter, Jacqueline Paredes in Barangay San Antonio.