City honors another centenarian

City officials honored Aurelia J. Mandapat as a centenarian of the country’s Summer Capital.

Under Resolution No. 098, series of 2022, the centenarian was born in Pura, Tarlac on December 2, 1921 and is the third child among the 5 children of Severino and Eulogia Javier.

She was barely 17 years old when her mother died due to a lingering illness.

Aurelia’s father, who was then the mayor of Pura town, was allegedly kidnapped together with her 2 younger siblings and were never retrieved from the unidentified kidnappers.

The resolution disclosed that Aurelia was married to her townmate, Federico Mandapat, Sr. on January 6, 1946 and the couple subsequently settled for good in the city after their wedding.

Federico worked as a police officer while Aurelia stayed home as a housekeeper while living in the city over the past several decades.

As years went by, the Mandapat couple was blessed with 10 children, 8 boys and 2 girls, who are now all grown up, married and have their own respective families, except for the 5th child, Lorna Mandapat, whom Aurelia is currently living with.

The resolution stated that marital and family relationship was described to be harmonious in spite of some difficulties through the years. 

On April 14, 2003, Federico died due to alleged pancreatic cancer at the age of 85 but life went on smoothly in the absence of Aurelia’s husband.

At present, Aurelia is still physically strong for her age. She can recognize people around her and can slowly walk with the use of a cane.

She is optimistic and believes that she lives long because of her being resilient to combat stress.

Further, her family is looking forward to her living longer and enjoying life with them.

The resolution stipulated that the centenarian be awarded the privileges pursuant to Ordinance No. 45, series of 2013 as amended by Ordinance No. 53, series of 2016 and further amended by Ordinance No. 84, series of 2019 as amended by Ordinance No. 10, series of 2022. – Dexter A. See