4 Pangasinan war vets’ longevity secrets: Eating veggies, praying

LINGAYEN — Four centenarians – all World War II veterans who were among those honored during the 75th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and the 13th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration yesterday – have two secrets to longevity: eating more vegetables and praying.

Gregorio Martinez, 101, from the province’s Bugallon town who can still talk, walk and even dance, said he eats anything, but more on vegetables.

Martinez added that he goes around their house without a wheelchair as part of his daily exercise.

And he also prays a lot – leaving to God the right time for him to rest.

“I’m already old and have lots of bonuses in my life,” the veteran said.

Martinez reminisced about his difficult fight with Japanese invaders that he said still makes him cry.

“It was hard and I was imprisoned for three months,” he said, adding that he handled machine gun during the war, together with two other companions.

He also sustained a gunshot in his left foot during the war.

Santiago Genechano, also 101, from Barangay San Macario Sur, Natividad, recounted that he was in Isabela during the war.

Genechaco can still walk, eats fruits and vegetables and drinks milk to keep fit.

He said he is thankful to God for giving him a long life.

Valentin Untalan Sr., 103, from Barangay Doyong in Calasiao recalled tohe escaped and was captured in Orion, Bataan. “I escaped four times,” he said.

Untalan said the memories of war bring him to tears. He is thankful to God that he is still alive.

Untalan has been based in the United States for many years, but he requested to be brought back to the Philippines last year.

He still reads and goes around the house as his form of exercise and way of keeping fit.

Gregorio Natarte Erese, 103, a former prisoner of war from Trenchera, Tayug also goes around his house without a wheelchair and sometimes sweeps the floor.

Erese loves eating vegetables, especially ampalaya or bitter gourd.

Asked how he is, he responded clearly, “Mabuti (I’m well).”

Erese said he took a bath early morning to attend yesterday’s event.