Mommy Lucring turns 100

By Herbert Vego

NOT everybody knows somebody who is still alive at age 100.  But now I am happy to report about one whom I fondly call Mommy Lucring, who turned centenarian on March 16 this year – literally alive and kicking while waiting for her cash gift of one hundred thousand pesos (PHP 100,000) in her son Belmar’s home in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

A widow, she is like a mother to me because I used to live with her family while working in Manila in 1980.  Four of her six children – Oscar, Elmor, Evelyn and Merlyn — have passed into the afterlife.  Her remaining two sons – businessmen Belmar and Joemar –  take good care of her.

She used to run a restaurant where she served nutritious “lutong bahay,” usually served with vegetables. She would often remind me not to skip “laswa.”

I am sure her fondness for leafy green vegetables is what has made her still mentally and physically able.  She still drinks a bottle of beer daily.

Another reason is her determination to hit 100 and receive her centennial cash gift from the national government.

Under Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, Filipinos, upon reaching the age of 100, are entitled to PHP 100,000.

As recently amended by RA 11982, seniors turning 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old may receive PHP 10,000, claimable within one year of reaching those ages. The cash is meant to help cover medical expenses and daily needs.

Yesterday, I received a chat message from Mommy Lucring’s son Belmar, saying that the old lady was worried she could die any day without receiving her money. He said he had already written a letter to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to relay her impatience.

Should she wait for 100 more days?

On the lighter side, the long wait could be another incentive for Mommy Lucring to go on living longer. May you have many more beers to drink. I hope to see you next year when you turn 101 in your hometown of San Jose, Antique.

-oOo-

WOMEN POWER AT MORE POWER

As the month of March — celebrated globally as Women’s History Month and National Women’s Month in the Philippines – is ending soon, we would like to laud MORE Electric and Power Corp for employing many of them, whether as executives or subordinates.

Three of seven executives at MORE Power are women, namely Atty. Mishiele A. Villagracia, Vice President and Controller; Ms. Ma. Cristina D. Cabalhin, Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Department; and Ms. Daphne Karina De Pedro, Assistant Vice President for Human Capital Management.

Atty. Mishiele A. Villagracia oversees the comprehensive operations of accounting, treasury, and information technology. In this capacity, she holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the organization’s financial reporting, thereby upholding the highest standards of transparency and compliance.

Ms. Ma. Cristina D. Cabalhin brings a comprehensive skill set honed over 25 years of experience in marketing, business development, and customer relationship management across diverse industries.

Daphne Karina De Pedro is known for her strategic insights, innovative approaches, and demonstrated ability to cultivate high-performing teams that enhance talent acquisition initiatives, promote a culture of continuous learning and development, and strengthen employee engagement and retention strategies.

Not to be forgotten is Angel Tan, the spokesperson who communicates updates on power interruptions, infrastructure maintenance, and energy consumption.  She hosts the weekly radio-TV program “More Power at Your Service.”