Devout Catholic marks 100th birthday

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – What more can one pray for, if one reaches the age of 100? And for the centenarian, Lola Escion as fondly called by many, her answer would be just a smile when the question is repeated again and again.

Concepcion  Enfestan Acupanda Elnas of Zamboanguita town in Negros Oriental, recently turned 100 with family and friends celebrating her birthday with her at a local hospital where she is confined for some health concerns.

Lola Escion was born on December 8, 1914, and thus, she was named Concepcion as her natal day falls on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Catholic Church.

Lola Escion was preceded by her husband, Gregorio Elnas, who passed away in 1983 and with whom she has four children.

All her children are still around today and are also having indications of living beyond the usual life expectancy of Filipinos. They are: Fortunato Elnas, 78; Josefa Elnas Credo, 76; Felicitas Elnas Peñaranda, 73; and Emilia Elnas, 68.

The centenarian has ten grandchildren and great grandchildren, majority of them already in their adult years, while two younger ones, Allianna Magallano, 9, and her younger brother, Kennon Paul, 8, keep her "entertained" at times when they come visiting.

According to Emilia, the youngest of Lola Escion's children, her mother, prior to her hospitalization, hears Mass everyday and would walk about 800 meters from their home to the church in Zamboanguita.

With barely any education to speak of, the great grandmother spent most of her time at home, doing menial tasks like sweeping the yard and going to bed in the early evening, Emilia said, adding that Lola Escion's life centered mainly on the church.

Lola Escion has her own group of friends, also already in their senior years, with whom she spends time with when at church, according to Emilia.

The 100-year-old woman from Zamboanguita, about half an hour's drive south of Dumaguete, is a member of the Catholic Women's League and was actively involved in church-based activities in previous years.

Father Lyndon Zerna, former Zamboanguita parish priest until his transfer last May, said Lola Escion is known for being religious and has been given the privilege of hosting the 10th Station of The Cross at her house for the year Via Crucis in observance of the Holy Week.

Zerna said the other Way of the Cross stations have been rotated so others may have the chance to serve the church in that way, but Zamboanguita residents agreed to exempt Lola Escion from such policy, somewhat like a "privilege" for her.

Emilia's wish for her mother is for her to have many more years on earth. A single mother to only daughter June, Emilia had lived with Lola Escion for a very long time at their ancestral home.

According to Emilia, her mother does not probably have any secrets to tell for her long life. Lola Escion has never had any vices, rarely drinks coffee, does not eat chicken but loves Filipino dishes like "humba" (pork stew), pork chop, vegetables and her regular soda drink, which "adds life."

In almost every meal, the centenarian loves to have this particular brand of soda and is surprisingly not diabetic, Emilia added.

Lola Escion's family members believed she could be the oldest living person in Zamboanguita, while Zerna said there were also a number of senior citizens in that town already in their 90s and still active in attending Mass regularly.

Emilia fondly recalled how Lola Escion would only smile and remain silent if any family member would ask her why she constantly prays and what her prayers are when she is already "close to the Lord."

Family members and friends have been grateful for Lola Escion who they believed must be "stress-free" and "worry-free" such that it has led her to live this long, Emilia said.

A Marian devotee as well, Lola Escion has been ambulant and in her right senses until only very recently when signs of forgetfulness and other physical infirmities of old age have set in.