Oldest Zamboangueño can compete in Guinness

Lolo Ongonan, a 115-year-old Subanen kainginero of Limpapa discovered and believed to be one of the few oldest men in the world today. Photo by Discovery Zamboanga

“Si puede pa iyo alcansa 200 anos mas bueno.” (If given the chance, I want to reach 200 years old).

This was declared by 115-year-old Ongonan Gumandao believed to be the oldest Zamboanga City resident when recently interviewed by Discovery Zamboanga.

Gumandao, a farmer from Barangay Limpapa, the last barangay of Zamboanga City which is about 47 kilometers west coast bordering Zamboanga del Norte, could be feted as the oldest man in the world through the World’s Guinness Book of Records if properly documented.

Discovery Zamboanga, a local group of development communicators headed by its chairman Prof. Jose Maria Bue, recently visited Limpapa and one of its discoveries is the presence of Lolo Ongonan, who belongs to the Subanen tribe. The Subanens, who are the first tribe of people of Zamboanga Peninsula before the coming of the Spaniards, are also known for their long years of lives.

Bue said Lolo Ongonan may be one of the oldest men in the world as the oldest woman, a 114-year old American woman, reportedly died in US last year.

Lolo Ongonan’s father reportedly died at the age of 120.

Asked what could be the secret of his long life, Lolo Ongonan said: “Ta comme lang comida de kaingin.” (I just eat foods–mostly vegetables– from the farm.)

At present, Lolo Ongonan is being taken cared by his youngest son in Limpapa, a Subanen-dominated village. The son told Discovery Zamboanga that their father was born on March 19, 1896. However, this date is based on testimonial accounts older family members as Subanens in the past were not keen of registering births.

The only complaints of this 115-year-old Subanen kainginero  are his poor eyesight, could hardly hear one talking and that he cannot walk anymore.

But the family members said Lolo Ongonan still eats regularly and spends most of his day sitting at the veranda watching people passing by in a neighborhood of Limpapa.