SAMAL, Bataan — A veteran of the Second World War with eight children, 23
grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren celebrated his 100 th birthday Monday
in a simple party at a resort in the middle of rice fields here.
Onofre Buan Bugay, Sr. of Barangay Sta. Lucia, who was born on Sept. 12, 1922 is
WWII Post Commander of Samal. He also presently holds the position of Vice
District I Commander of WWII veterans from the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa,
Orani, Samal, Abucay, and Morong.
Together with Filipino-American soldiers, he fought against the Japanese
invaders. After the war, he went into farming and later drove his own passenger
tricycle to augment his income.
Bugay became a widower and after some years found a new love. At 70, he
married 20-year-old Luz Aquino on March 4, 1990.
Bugay had six children with his first wife Fely Poblete, and two children with his
present wife Luz.
Aside from close relatives, friends, and neighbors, Samal municipal officials like
members of the sangguniang bayan headed by Vice Mayor Ronnie Ortiguerra
greeted the centenarian. Mayor Alex Acuzar also sent his greetings.
“Napakahalaga at napakaligayang kaarawan ito ni Mang Onofre dahil
napakabihira ang ganitong umaabot sa 100 years kaya sa mga anak at asawa, ito
ay malaking biyaya na galing sa Panginoon,” the vice mayor said.
According to his wife and children, the secret of the centenarian’s long life are
prayers and discipline.
“Ang paboritong ulam ng asawa ko ay mamali na sinigang sa bayabas, mga
pangating isda at gulay at ayaw nito ng karne. Wala itong bisyo, hindi
naninigarilyo at hindi umiinom ng alak,” Luz said.
“Napakabait nitong asawa at napakasipag at nasa kanya na ang lahat ng aking
hinahanap sa isang lalaki. Napakabait niyang asawa at ama ng aming mga anak,”
with tears of joy, Luz described her husband.
Pastor Alberto Bugay of the Jesus the Strong Tower Church said it was a blessing
from the Lord that his father reached 100 years old and is still strong. He said his
father is still healthy and is only hard of hearing.
“Ako ay nagpupuri at nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon dahil umabot sa 100 years
ang aming ama dahil bihira ang umabot sa ganitong edad at sabi sa Bibliya na
kapag ang tao ay umabot ng 70 years old o higit pa sa 80 years old, siya ay
pinagpala ng Panginoon,” the pastor said.
“Bilang isang lingkod ng Panginoon ay lagi kong ipinagdarasal ang aking ama sa
umaga at sa gabi at ito ang sekreto ng mahaba niyang buhay at ipinapanalangin
ko na ito ay magkaroon ng magandang kalusugan at nawa’y laging taglay ang
kalakasan ng buhay,” he added.
He said that aside from prayers, his father has discipline. “Hindi ito kumakain ng
matataba at ang laging ulam nito ay mga pangatin na isda, gulay at ayaw nito ng
mga karne dahil ito ay nakakaiksi ng buhay. Naniniwala ako na ang aming ama ay
bibigyan pa ng mahabang buhay.”
The pastor said his father while still young tried cigarettes but because of
discipline his father stopped using tobacco. “May disiplina at pangangalaga sa
katawan kaya naialis nito ang mga bisyong iyon noong bata pa siya at ito ay isa sa
kanyang sekreto kaya humaba ang kanyang buhay.”
Onofre expressed his gratitude to all those who attended his birthday party. “Sa
aking mga kamag-anak, mga kakilala, mga pamangkin, mga apo, mga konsehal,
vice mayor at mayor maraming salamat. Unang-una, ang pasasalamat ko sa
Panginoon na nagbigay sa akin ng lakas at sigla ng katawan.”
