Feature: A rewarding cash gift for 101 year-old Lolo Jose in AgSur town
Love and attention are essential in taking good care of the old people. Frail, fragile, and delicate as they are, they need all the respect and admiration for their long and rich experiences as they continue with life's journey. And what wonder to meet someone who has reached the big 1-0-0. Well, you will definitely admire Jose Inso of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur once you meet him.
Born on January 18, 1921, Lolo Jose turned 101-year-old this year. He maybe is in a wheelchair but this does not negate the innate perkiness and hilarity he has to offer. When told about the cash grant he’d receive, his reply cracked up everyone – “Oy sige maghubog ta’g tunga sa adlaw (Okay, let’s go get drunk for half a day)” he said with a big smile.
His demeanor and positivity in life are somewhat factors on his looks and how he feels – this is the reason why he looks and behaves younger than his current age.
Lolo Jose is in the care of his daughter-in-law, Sabina Inso. According to Sabina, Lolo Jose has never suffered any major illness other than minor infirmities due to his body’s wear and tear. When asked about Lolo Jose’s unprecedented run to 100 years old, Sabina shared that “Isa sa iyang unahon permi, pagkaon. Ginasigurado gyud niya nga mukaon sa saktong oras ug likayan nga mapasmo. Sa batan-on pa siya, ganahan siya mag joker-joker (He makes sure that he eats properly, and that he eats on time – he doesn’t want to skip meals. When he was younger, he loved to joke around).”
Under the Centenarian Act of 2016, all Filipinos reaching a hundred years are entitled to receive a centenarian cash gift. Thus, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through its Centenarian Program, handed over the cash gift to Jose Inso. As Lolo Jose holds the cash, teary-eyed, he can’t help but ask, “Akoa ni tanan? Na, salamat ipalit ko ni’g bugas (Is this all mine? Well, thank you, I’ll buy milled rice with this money).”
Sabina, who has been with Lolo Jose for a long time promised to buy nutritious food for him using the money that Lolo Jose received. “Pagkaon ang mas daghanon nakog palit labina nga kada taod2 sa isa ka adlaw mangayo gyud ni siya’g ma sima-sima (I will make sure that there will be enough food for him, especially that he frequently ask for food),” Sabina said.
The Centenarian cash gift is a reward given to Filipinos reaching the age of 100 years old as an expression of gratitude by the National Government for their contribution in shaping and in putting up the Filipino values and culture. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
