There’s something deeply special about reaching 100 years old, and even more so when that person has touched the lives of so many.
On May 20, 2025, the town of Daanbantayan honored one of its own, Lola Corona Rosell Castro-Arranguez, for officially joining the Centenarian Club. They made a post on social media to celebrate her legacy and how she has been a valuable member of the community.
Mayor Sun Shimura himself made the trip to Sitio Cang-oyao, Barangay Bitoon, to personally hand Lola Corona a ₱50,000 cash gift and a plaque of recognition; a simple yet heartfelt way of celebrating a woman who’s lived through a century of stories, struggles, and triumphs.
Born on May 14, 1925, Lola Corona dedicated her life to education. She spent her career at Bitoon Elementary School, shaping young minds and helping raise a generation of learners. Today, she enjoys the company of her loving family, 5 children and 10 grandchildren, a living legacy of the values she instilled in both the classroom and her home.
The Secret to Long Life? Malunggay and Mahjong
When asked about her secret to a long life, her niece shared a couple of thoughts: living a stress-free life, eating malunggay regularly (you know how we Cebuanos swear by it), and keeping her brain active by playing mahjong in her spare time. That’s Lola; chill but sharp.
Aside from the gift from the LGU, Lola Corona will also receive ₱100,000 from the Cebu Provincial Government, and another ₱100,000 from the national government, a well-deserved recognition for a life well and gracefully lived.
In a world that moves fast, it’s inspiring to pause and celebrate people like Lola Corona, proof that a life rooted in purpose, simplicity, and connection is a life worth a hundred years.
