By Matters India Reporter
Manila, September 11, 2019: Francisca Montes-Susano of Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental is the oldest living Filipino and most likely the oldest person in the world.
She was born on September 11, 1897, before Philippine Independence and witness to two World Wars, reports Pinoy History.
Currently, the recognized world’s oldest person as confirmed by Guinness World Records is Kane Tanaka of Japan who was born on January 2, 1903. But, once Susano’s birth records have been verified by international bodies, such as the Gerontology Research Group or Guinness World Records, she could be officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person.
Lola Francisca bore 14 children with her husband, Pabian. She recalled that lolo Pabian died a long time ago at the age of 89. And, 8 of their children are still living. Their eldest daughter, Magdalena Ortega, is 98 years old. She has even seen the children of her great grandchildren.
Long-life runs in the blood. Could her secret be in her diet? She eats lots of vegetables even during her younger years and a little bit of meat if there’s any but no pork in her diet. Sometimes she helps herself to servings of chicken and beef.
She is currently in Kabankalan City where she stays with her 72-year-old son, Ernesto, who attests that his mother is not yet dull of hearing, can still walk on her feet and still responsive. Her son says that she usually spends most of her time sleeping, eating and trying to walk around the house.
With the passage of the Centenarian Act of 2016 signed by former President Benigno S. Aquino III, lola (grandmother) Francisca along with other centenarians in the Philippines received a cash grant of 100,000 Pesos each.