DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (CNN Philippines) — Dapitan City has just honored its oldest living resident part of activities leading up to the its celebration of its 52nd Charter Day on Monday (June 22).
On Sautrday, Dapitan City Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos herself, along with other city officials, went to the house of Gertrudes Jamolod Insong, who is 102 years old, to hand over the Mabuhay Ka Plaque of Recognition, according to Vicky Cad-Bangara, city information officer
Bangara said Gertrudes, the wife of Jose Samo-ay Insong, was recognized for exemplifying a happy and healthy lifestyle that makes her a living treasure that every Dapitanon should be proud of.
This is the first time the Dapitan has given such recognition, Bangara said on Monday during the city’s 52nd founding anniversary celebration.
Insong has nine children, 32 nephews and nieces, 67 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren, her sixth child, Bernardo, told CNN Philippines.
Bernardo, a retired Air Force master sergeant, said his mother is a simple housewife who knows how to cook the salbero bread and bibingka (rice cake) at her sari-sari store which, along with his father’s tailoring shop, was enough to put him and his eight other siblings through college.
Bernardo had only words of gratitude for the city government for honoring his mother.
The city’s week-long Charter Day celebration started last June 16 and focused on farmers and fishermen through their Agro-Industrial Fair Festival, which will culminate this evening with the announcement of winners in all the contests and the search for outstanding Dapitanons.
To formally start the celebration on Monday, a mass was held at 8:00 a.m. at the Saint James Church followed by a motorcade and a flag raising ceremony before the start of another round of parlor games for the barangay locals and the employees.
