BACOLOD CITY – The city government of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental confirmed on Monday night the death of Francisca Susano, who was believed to be the oldest living Negrense and Filipino, at the age of 124.
Susano, fondly called as Lola Iska, died peacefully in her sleep around 6:24 p.m., according to her relatives.
Susano was born in September 11, 1897, and got married at 14. She has 14 children, wherein one of them is a centenarian at the age of 101.
The Guiness World Records is currently validating the application for declaring her as the oldest person in the world at 124 years old, according to the local government. But no results were released yet.
Susano was a member of the Indigenous People community in Barangay Oringao.
She celebrated her 124th birthday this year, wherein she received a plaque of recognition, cash amounting to P10,000 and a managers check worth P24,000 from the National Commission on Senior Citizens.
The city government led by Mayor Pedro Zayco, as well as all the people of Kabankalan expressed their condolences and prayers with the family of Susano in their period of bereavement.
“Lola Iska will always remain as our inspiration and pride,” the local government said.