Cadiz City’s “super lola” has turned 109 years old.
She is Visitacion Victorama Contenido, or “Lola Visitacion” to family, friends and village mates at Purok Awa, Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz City.
Lola Visitacion was born in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, on May 28, 1916, a press release from Cadiz City said on Sunday, June 22.
But for 32 years now, she and her family have settled in Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz.
Lola Visitacion has 12 children – 7 from her first marriage and 5 from her second husband.
With poverty constantly knocking on their door, she did everything she could to survive and raise her family.
She used to be a paltera (traditional/unlicensed midwife).
When she was not delivering babies she sold vegetables, fish and seashells.
Despite her age, and almost being bedridden, Lola Visitacion does not take any maintenance medicines.
But she is already hard on hearing.
Asked what her secret to longevity is, she said “I eat everything, whatever is available on the table.”
Lola Visitacion was honored during the 2025 Recognition and Awarding Ceremony of Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, and Centenarians held on February 14 at the Cadiz Arena.
Though she failed to attend in person, her children and grandchildren proudly received the award on her behalf.
She was given ₱100,000 by the Cadiz City government as mandated under Republic Act No. 10868, also known as the Centenarian Act of 2016, which grants financial recognition to Filipinos aged 100 and above.
She also received P100,000 from the provincial government of Negros Occidental as a tribute to a life of dignity and service, the press release said.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said “she is indeed a living legacy that poverty is not a hindrance to longevity.”
Lola Visitacion’s perseverance amid life’s challenges made her a real heroine amid the test of times, Escalante said.
“She is indeed a Cadizen̈a: a warrior against life’s odds, thus, a tested and proven survivor of so many ‘disasters’ in life – literally and figuratively,” he added.*