Eighty to a Century: Aklan's Oldest Witnesses
- Jonell Gregorio
- Jan 5
- 6 min read
Written by: Josefa Anjeneth G. Mabutol, Abigael S. Javier, Floyd R. Salvadico, Yardenette Messiah S. Tumanon
2025
In Aklan, the past whispers through the stories of its oldest witnesses — the grandparents.
Living Archives of Numancia
Veronica “Lola Nica” Dela Cruz-Constantino has been sought far-too-many times by students and locals, delving insights into unpublished history and traditional practices passed by word of mouth.
This 79-year-old resident of Barangay Badio, Numancia, is a treasure trove of knowledge. She holds insights on unrecorded facts such as the origin of their barangay’s name.
"Gina-adtunan gid ako iya it mga estudyante dati ag ginakutana kung siin maghalin do pangaean nga barangay Badio nga akon man nga hasayran halin sa mga magueang," Lola Nica shared proudly. (Students used to come to me to ask where the name of the barangay came from, which I also learned from the elders.)
Her wisdom stems from a rich inheritance — the stories passed down from her mother, Salvacion “Lola Basyon” Tampico Dela Cruz.
A Legacy of Faith and Education
Lola Basyon’s legacy is interwoven in their barangay. As a revered “papangadyi” leader, her prayers brought solace to those seeking comfort during their “pag-húbo” or “lipat-bahay” (moving house).
"Tag okay pa ta imaw dati, naga-pangadyi imaw run it nobena, parehas ku mga nabilin nga mga magueang iya sa amon. Gina-kangay gid imaw kung may naga-húbo o nagapasaka it baeay. Imaw man ra hay naga-pangadyi gid sa chapel," Lola Nica said, speaking about Lola Basyon. (Back in the days when she was well and in a better situation, she would pray the novena, just like the remaining elderly in our community. She was always invited every time someone moved houses or during house blessings. She also regularly prayed in the chapel.)
This role wasn’t just spiritual — it was a testament to her compassion towards her community.
Beyond prayer, Lola Basyon bridged gaps in education by teaching unschooled elderly. The knowledge she accumulated throughout the years gives way to enhance the people's lives in her barangay; this helps them live in harmony and peace.
These remarkable women are living links to the past, and their stories are a testament to the province’s rich history.
A Centenarian's Journey
Lola Basyon became a centenarian on 21st of September, 2021. Six months later, on the 8th of March, 2022, she received a hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) cash gift from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of the Centenarians Act of 2016.
This law has been expanded in 2024 by the Expanded Centenarians Act or the Republic Act 11982 which provides earlier cash gifts and benefits to octogenarians (80+) and nonagenarians (90+) and adjusts amounts, with the aim to help with the healthcare needs and living expenses of seniors at younger ages.
This could also include other benefits such as additional cash gifts from the local government. This, without a doubt, could greatly help the elderly.
Yet, despite the joy of reaching such milestones, the journey to recognition is often fraught with challenges.
Barriers of Recognition
The process of application was not immediate nor trouble-free.
One of the primary required documents is the applicant’s birth certificate, but Lola Basyon had none on record at the municipal hall.
It was an extremely common situation to not have an official, government-issued birth certificate in the Philippines during the 1900s, especially in the earlier decades.
Like many Filipinos born in a time when the widespread civil registration was not fully established, and records lost during the wars, her existence lived more in memory than in paper.
Determined to find another way, Lola Nica has thought of another proof and turned to old voter’s lists, hoping they might serve as enough evidence of her mother’s age and identity.
"Hadumduman ta nakon do sa voter's list, syempre hay elector man si nanay. Hay idto ta do anang [birthday] ag gin honor mata rato it [regional office]. Sa voter's list ko lata ginbuoe ro ana mana nga birth certificate," she said, relieved. (I then remembered the voter's list, as she is also a voter. Her birthday was included there, and the regional office recognized it. I decided to submit the voter's list as a proof of her birth and identification instead of the birth certificate.)
Prolonged Waiting
This predicament is shared by other elderly people including Monina “Lola Moning” Cordovero, who turned 90, last December 13, 2024. Although Lola Moning had her birth certificate, her other papers, which her children submitted as secondary/support documents, recorded a different age.
"Disisais pa eata abi si nanay tag ginkasae imaw, kaya anang marriage contract karun, gindugangan ta ra edad it 3 years agud maging disinuebe," her daughter, Rechilda Cordovero Zaradulla, said. (She was only sixteen when she married, that's why in her marriage contract, they had to add 3 years to her age to make her nineteen.)
She continued, "Mawron hay ginkinahangean gid namon ro anang birth certificate ag rato ro ginbasehan ku ana gid nga edad [nga 90]." (That's why her birth certificate was really important and that is where they recognized her real age of 90)
But complications did not end there for octogenarians and nonagenarians like Lola Moning. The beneficiaries of the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024 experienced delay in the release of the cash gift.
In the report of ABS-CBN News in February 2025, NCSC commissioner Mary Jean Loreche stated that under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the only funding they received was for those who will reach their "milestone" age in this year of 2025.
“Gusto kong iparating sa inyo na meron tayong tinatawag na GAA, ang budget [na tig-P10,000] para sa ating 80, 85, 80, 95 ay nakalagay sa NCSC, subailit ito ay para sa papasok o magbi-birthday simula January 2025 hanggang December 31, 2025,” Loreche said in her interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo. (I would like to inform you that we have what is called GAA, the budget [of P10,000] for our 80, 85, 80, 95 is listed in the NCSC, but it is for those who will be entering or celebrating their birthdays from January 2025 to December 31, 2025)
It was noted that the delay could be due to the timing of the passage of the law, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in February 2024, way after the budget law for the year was approved.
Qualified beneficiaries from last year will have to wait until DBM provides funding for their cash gifts. “Made-delay lang yan, hindi naman sinasabing hindi sila mabibigyan, parang so to speak mawe-waitlisted sila,” Loreche assured, adding that those who had their milestone birthdays last year should continue to apply. (That [cash incentive] is just delayed, it is not said that they will not be given, it is just as if they are waitlisted)
A Legacy that Lingers
After a long period of waiting and verification, the breakthrough came not through an office window, but at their own doorstep. Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, together with regional officers, and former municipal mayor of Numancia, personally went to their home to hand over the certificate and the cash assistance.
It was a quiet yet meaningful moment, an acknowledgement that arrived late, but still carried the weight.
For Lola Basyon, who has lived her life serving others without any expectation of reward, was finally recognized. For Lola Nica, it was a moment of relief and pride, a confirmation of her mother’s life and legacy.
Now, at a hundred and four, Lola Basyon is clinging to the days of yore. She is pleasantly lost in her memories and is unaware of how many years have passed— mutters about her life decades ago. However, through Lola Nica’s sharing, Lola Basyon’s impact endures, revealing how one’s dedication can shape a community’s perspective and leave a lasting imprint.
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