Marcela Alvior walked proudly to the municipal hall in Santa, Ilocos Sur in her Filipiniana attire. Despite her age, she managed to climb the second floor to receive her reward for reaching 100 years old. 

She is the first to reach 100 in her family and never thought she would reach this far.

Her key to a long life: Eating meat in moderation.

“Hindi ako masyadong kumakain ng karne," she said.

Alvior raised six children and once earned a living by washing clothes.

She said she learned many lessons about life in the past century with kindness being the most important. This is what she has passed on to her grandchildren and relatives.

"Ang ginagawa kong kabutihan noon ang siyang itinuturo ko sa mga apo at kaanak ko," Alvior said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) staff disclosed they prayed for Alvior when she fell ill in 2022, which was why they were happy to see her smile and vibrant eyes at the municipal hall. 

Genevieve Balbuena, Santa MSWD Officer, said only Alvior was able to visit the town hall among all centenarians in the town. Alvior is a resident of Barangay Pasungol. 

"With all the centenarians we had here in Santa, si Lola Marcela lang ang nakapunta sa munisipyo namin at the second floor to receive her P25,000 coming from the LGU, aside from the P25,000, Lola Marcela also is our social pensioner, and the provincial will be providing P15,000 [while] yung national is P100,000, [we’re just] waiting for the fund," she said.

Alvior said she still wishes for a longer life so she can continue serving her children and grandchildren.

"Hiling ko na mabigyan pa ako ng mahabang buhay upang masilbihan ko ang aking mga anak at apo," she said.