Binay to honor Makati’s oldest residents today

Mayor Jejomar Binay will lead city officials and residents in honoring Makati City’s oldest residents during a simple ceremony at the City Hall quadrangle today.

Binay said the event is part of the city government’s celebration of “Senior Citizens Week.”

The city will honor 102-year-old Paula Garcia-Samarista of Barangay Poblacion; 97-year-old Melchora Oria-Ancheta of Barangay Southside; and 95-year-old Mercedes Sarmiento-Belandres of Barangay San Lorenzo. They will all receive cash rewards and certificates of recognition.

Binay said Samarista was born on June 29, 1906 to the late Sinporosa Garcia of Culi-Culi, Makati, Rizal, now known as Barangay Pio del Pilar.

Samarista was married to the late Marcial Samarista on May 18, 1926 and blessed with seven children and 22 grandchildren. 

Binay said Ancheta was born on Jan. 6, 1910 to the late Doroteo Oria and Fausta Medina of Bulangao, Pangasinan.

At the age of 29, Ancheta married Nicolas Ancheta on March 16, 1939 and bore him three children, who have given them 12 grandchildren.  

Binay said Belandres, a pharmacist by profession, was born on Sept. 22, 1912 to Simeon Sarmiento and Justay Dimaandal of Batangas  City . 

“This former Miss Batangas, married to Angel Belandres, an agriculture graduate from University of the Philippines-Los Baños, has two children and four grandchildren,” he said.  

Binay said that aside from the tribute to the oldest living senior citizens, they will also visit elderly patients at the Ospital ng Makati in Barangay Pembo and its Acute Care Center in Barangay Bel-Air and at private hospitals such as the Makati Medical Center and St. Clare Hospital. – Jose Rodel Clapano