‘Oldest living Negrense’ dies at 124

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Francisca Susano, who was believed to be the oldest living Negrense and Filipino based in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental died at the age of 124 on Monday, Nov 22, 2021.

This was confirmed by the city government of Kabankalan in a Facebook post on Monday night.

Susano died peacefully in her sleep around 6:24 p.m., according to her relatives.

Susano, fondly called as Lola Iska, was born on September 11, 1897.

She was married at 14 and had 14 children, and one of them is already a centenarian at the age of 101.

Prior to her death, the Guinness World Records has validated the application for declaring her as the oldest person in the world at 124 years old, but the result was yet to be released.

The city government led by Mayor Pedro Zayco, as well as all the people of Kabankalan expressed their condolences and prayers with the family of Susano in their period of bereavement.

“Lola Iska will always remain as our inspiration and pride,” the local government said.