Francisca Susano, a 123-year-old woman who was born on September 11, 1897, is the oldest person alive in Negros Occidental.

Francisca, a mother of 14 children, was used to working on the farm. She likes eating freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. One of the primary reasons she appears vibrant despite her age is her healthy lifestyle.

Susano celebrated her 123rd birthday in her house in Barangay Oringao on September 11, 2020.

With that, members of the Kabankalan City Police Station surprised the celebrant with a small gift to congratulate her on attaining that milestone. On their official Facebook page, they shared a photo and a brief statement.

“She is the oldest living Filipino, born before the Philippine Independence Day and was able to witness two world wars. She survived the Martial Law, the People’s Power, the Isis attack, many typhoons, and calamities, even the novel coronavirus pandemic that had passed the nation,” they wrote in the post.

“Truly, she is a thriving national treasure. We are hoping for your good health, happiness, and best of luck. May you continue to inspire us and give us hope that the human spirit will continue to strive and endure anything that comes no matter what the odds are,” they ended.

Susano was honored in 2015 by receiving an award under the Negros First Centenarian Act.

In 2019, it was reported that her birth records were verified by the Gerontology Research Group to determine if she can be declared as the world’s oldest living person.

Moreover, many Filipinos are hopeful that she would be recognized as the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Watch more of Lola Susano here: