Cadiz City’s “super lola” just turned 109 years old on May 28, a press release from Cadiz PIO said.
She is Visitacion Victorama Contenido, or “Lola Visitacion” to family, friends and villagemates, of Purok Awa, Barangay Zone 6.
Lola Visitacion was born in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City on May 28, 1916.
Her family settled down in Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz City for the past 32 years.
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), and when she wasn’t attending births, she would sell vegetables, fish, and seashells.
Despite her age, Lola Visitacion has no maintenance medicines, despite being bedridden. But she already lost her hearing.
Asked about her secret to longevity, her simple retort: “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 P100,000 by the City Government of Cadiz through its implementation of 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 — a tribute to a life of dignity and service.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was beyond proud of Lola Visitacion, saying, “She was 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,” the mayor added.*
