ILOILO – One, if not the oldest, senior citizen to have received a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this province is encouraging other elderly to get their jabs, too.
Vaccine helps prevent severe COVID, according to Lucila Sobrevega-Sobremisana, 106, a resident of Barangay Cabilauan, New Lucena town.
Sobremisana received her first dose of the China-made Sinovac vaccine on June 22 at the Central Philippine University.
She was temporarily residing in the house of her eldest daughter, Nemia Sobremisana-Sumongcad, 75, in Jaro district, when the Iloilo City government kicked off its free vaccination program.
Sobremisana received her second dose on Aug. 5.
How was she doing after inoculation?
“Waay ako may ginbatyag, waay tana sang sintomas, wala sang hilanat, waay gid,” Sobremisana told Panay News on Monday.
Sobremisana, who would be turning 107 on Oct. 31, said she did not hesitate when asked by her children about getting vaccinated; she believed the vaccine was “the only protection against COVID-19”.
Sumongcad, meanwhile, shared before they approved their mother’s vaccination, they had to consult their family doctor as they also had doubts.
“Premiro daw indi man kami. Kami mismo nangindi. Pero ginpadal-an kami sang barangay officials sang ticket nga magpabakuna so amo ‘to gin-confirm ko sa family doctor namon kon ano ang iya opinion kag nagpasugot man sia. Amo ‘to ginhambalan ko si Nanay nga, ‘Mapa-vaccine kaw?’ Siling ‘ya huo para indi man sia magka-COVID,” said Sumongcad.
Unfortunately, Sumongcad, her husband (both vaccinated), their son, and a house helper tested positive for COVID-19 on July 11.
Three days later, Sobremisana, tagged a close contact, underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test; she tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Sumongcad, her mother initially showed mild symptoms such as cough, but it was gone after two days.
“Si Nanay gani way man sang nabatyagan sa following day. Sa first day ‘ya naubo sia pero wala sia nahilanat. Nag-take antibiotic, nadula. Nakabulig gid ‘ya ang vaccine kay mild lang kami, especially kay Nanay,” added Sumongcad.
Her mother also has a strong immune system, underscored Sumongcad.
The family was also baffled about how they contracted COVID-19 as they were not going out of the house.
WHAT’S THE SECRET?
Sobremisana said she has no secret as to why she’s still strong despite being a centenarian.
“Sang una laswa ang ginakaon, tanan nga laswa, tanan nga prutas nga ara sa amon… Wala kami pagkaon sang baboy kag mga karne… isda amo gid pirme. Ang gina-‘bitsin’ namon, ginamos. Wala kami naga-usar sang seasoning,” added Sobremisana.
Another reason was her being prayerful, she said.
Sobremisana said she reads the Bible every day and attends a live Holy Mass on Sundays.
Sumongcad shared that her mother had never been admitted to the hospital for severe illness, only that case three years ago when she had mild pneumonia and a swollen leg.
Sobremisana can still see and speak clearly, although her hearing is somewhat weak.
She also has a hearty appetite, especially with her favorite tinolang tambo.
Sobremisana has four children and 11 grandchildren.
Finally, Sobremisana encourages her fellow senior citizens to get vaccinated and not be afraid of side effects.
“Kinahanglan gid nga magpa-vaccine sila tanan kay ako kaagi na ako, waay ako may nabatyagan. Magpa-vaccine na kamo para indi dali-dali gawa kamo ma-COVID kon may vaccine,” said Sobremisana.
Based on data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), as of Sept. 12, 41,353 senior citizens have already completed their vaccination – 17.8 percent of the province’s 232,378 elderly target population./PN
