Turning a century old in December, the oldest living Dagupeño says his secret for his long life is constant prayer.

“I’ve had nothing else to do except to pray,” said Dionisio Datuin Mendoza, born December 6, 1908, resident of Pogo Grande.

Mang Dionisio or “Isio” to his old friends received his special citation as the oldest citizen of the city on Friday during the 61st anniversary of Dagupan as a chartered city.

According to his son Antonio, Mang Dionisio had been attending the 5:30 a.m. Mass at the St. John The Evangelist Church daily until he was prevailed upon by his children to stop his Church routine on account of his frail health.

“Rain or shine, typhoon or flood, he went without fail,” Antonio said.

He was always accompanied to church by several of his 9 children. He survived his wife who died recently at age 90.

Now, Mang Dionisio regularly prays his novenas every morning at home.

Mang Dionisio is an only child and only finished secondary school but speaks fluent English and Spanish.

He worked as cashier at the defunct Pantranco Bus Company in Dagupan City.

Though he has been provided a wheel chair and needs a cane to walk, he insists on moving alone when he can.

“He wants to do things on his own,” Rufina said, adding, “he would often tell off the maids, ‘I can do it”.

Dionisio received a plaque, P2,500 cash from the city government and another P1,000 cash from Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez plus other boxes of gifts.

“I am very, very happy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the youngest Dagupeño born 7:55 a.m. Friday at the Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City was named Mildred Ferrer. She also received gifts from the city government.—#

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