Nanay Feling just before her 100th birthday.
CATEEL, Davao Oriental -She made it! Felisa Oros Veroy marked her 100th birthday last April 13, 2013, defying the offensive of Typhoon Pablo.
Born April 13, 1913, Nanay Feling, as she is fondly called, is second child and the only daughter to her farmer parents Vicente Sayod Oros and Tmotea Edurece Odales.
Her mother was 28 while her father was 27 when Felisa was born in Sitio Tagada-o, Barangay San Rafael. She was delivered by traditional midwife Memay Andipa of the same village. She had two brothers, Martiniano and Demetrio.
Her family relocated in Barangay Taytayan in 1926 where she attended elementary education. One teacher she remembers was a Mr. Pedro Dacuycuy. Felisa completed Grade 4 level and witnessed the 2nd World War.
She married Leonardo Sillada Veroy and was blessed with her first child Raul, in 1944. During the Liberation in 1946, she gave birth to twins followed by Amador in 1948, then by Urlita in 1950 and finally, her youngest Felizueta in 1952.
When Nanay Feling got older, she decided to stay with daughter Urlita. Then her daughter Felizueta took care of her when Urlita died. Only three of her children got married who eventually produced 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren for her.
At her simple centennial birthday celebration, her youngest daughter Felizueta said the opening prayer while Taytayan Barangay Captain Deonicito P. Manangkis gave the opening message. Some Taytayan senior citizens, her children and grandchildren provided the entertainment. Felisa’s brief autobiography was read at the middle of the program. Cateel Mayor Camilo T. Nunez along with her son Amador also shared their message for the celebrant while Cateel municipal officials, Felisa’s relatives and friends offered tokens and presents. Throughout the short program, Nanay Feling was very attentive and extremely overwhelmed with the tribute granted her.
According to her children, Nanay Feling has been a good mother and a loving grandmother. She has imparted values worth keeping. A woman of amazing faith and courage who stood up to and overcome various trials and hardships in life, her children proudly shared.
Her family and friends are so grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate her 100th year on earth. Truly, her astounding strength and endurance enabled her to outlast Typhoon Pablo. DSWD