TAYTAY, Rizal – A week after OpinYon Rizal came out with an article about her, centenarian Adelaida Cullano Rabi somehow got what she wished for during her 100th birthday last February 19.
According to her family, Lola Adelaida received a centenarian cash incentive from the local government – a cheque amounting to P30,000, that was turned over to her children.
On top of the cheque, Lola Adelaida also received a certificate recognizing her longevity.
In a statement, Mayor Allan de Leon said that the amount represents the local government counterpart, which is way below what the centenarian had wished for.
In a related development, President Marcos signed into law Republic Act 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2016 which gives cash incentives not only to the centenarians but also to some Filipino octogenarians and nonagenarians residing in the country and abroad.
Through the expanded Centenarians Act, senior citizens are entitled to a P10,000 cash incentive upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95 and will receive P100,000 upon reaching the age of 100.
Lola Adelaida’s children said they hoped that the awarding of the national government’s cash gift to their matriarch would happen very soon so that the centenarian would still enjoy the mandated benefits due to her.
Lola Adelaida, who turned 100 on February 19, has six children, 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Born in 1924, Rabi was raised in Pagsanjan, Laguna by her parents who came from a simple family who loved backyard vegetable gardening. Lola Adelaida’s neighbors' exercising has been among her passions even since she reached the age of 80 plus, doing some stretching and deep breathing cycles in the morning after getting up from bed.
She also used to attend Zumba sessions twice a week until the age of 92.
The centenarian, now a widow, according to her children, still possesses a sharp mind as she still loves to play Bingo and Scrabble Word games with her family members. Reading books and magazines was also her passion then.