QC Centenarian Awardees Include Rizal Grandson

The Quezon City government awarded seven centenarians, including a grandson of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on Monday, October 1 during its flag raising ceremony at the Quezon City Hall.

The recognition rites is part of the City’s observance of the Elderly Filipino Week with the theme: Kilalanin at Parangalan: “Tagasulong ng karapatan ng nakakatanda tungo sa lipunang mapagkalinga” which embraces the promotion of elderlies’ rights and the recognition of these rights as a factor for a just society.

Among those recognized as part of the city’s latest batch of 100-year-old residents is Jose L. Arguelles, grandson of Dr. Jose Rizal’s youngest sibling Soledad Mercado-Quintero.

Jose L. Arguelles, grandson of Dr. Jose Rizal’s youngest sibling Soledad Mercado-Quintero. (Photo grab from QC PAISO facebook)

Lovingly called Lolo Pempot by his grandchildren, Arguelles had been a resident of Barangay Immaculate Conception since 1945.

Arguelles said he witnessed the changes and improvements of the city in the past six decades.

“Nakita naming, tumubo lahat ng bahay. Dito noong araw, ‘yang kalye ng Espana, bato-bato pa, hindi aspalto. Bihira pa ang auto no’n, puro kalesa. Maayos naman ‘yung naging pagbabago,” Lolo Pempot said.

His son Carlos Ignacio Arguelles expressed gratitude for the recognition given to his grandfather by Quezon City.

“As a resident of Quezon City since 1945, he has contributed to Quezon City in terms of taxes, especially real property taxes he regularly pays. I think that by being a centenarian, he deserves a little recognition,” the younger Arguelles said.

Esterlina Pausanos, niece of the 101-year old Rosa Pausanos, also expressed her appreciation to the city government for recognizing her aunt.

“We thank the Quezon City government, especially Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte for the award given to our aunt, who has been living in QC for over 30 years,” Pausanos said.

The other centenarians present at the ceremony were Asuncion N. Aguda Sr., Amelia V. Borromeo, Benjamin O. Cucio, Juanita C. Garcia, and Marina C. Molato.

There are more than 90 centenarians living in Quezon City who each receive a 100,000 grant upon achieving their enviable age, a 1,000-peso monthly allowance, as well as a birthday and Christmas financial gifts from the city government.

The recognition and financial grant to centenarians is in line with city’s implementation of Republic Act 10868, also known as the Centenarian’s Act of 2016.

Prior to the Centenarian’s Act of 2016, the city has been recognizing its centenarian residents through cash incentives since 2009 through City Ordinance 1986-2009 as amended by City Ordinance 2542-2016.

Centenarians are also awarded plaques of recognition. (PIA-NCR)