Centenarians Say Long Life is an Attitude Thing
Aside from good diet and regular exercise, positive attitude matters
May 30, 2009
Joaquin Talisayan still plays golf at the age of 103. "But I admit that my knees are not as sturdy as before. But I still can swing the club," he muses. Talisayan lives in Stockton, California with his wife.
In an interview by this writer in May 2009, Talisayan said there is really no big secret to a long life. "Just eat lots of vegetables and fruits and exercise everyday. And don't worry. Worries are poison to the body," he quips.
A native of the Philippines, Talisayan came to the US with his parents when he was seven years old. His parents worked as sugar cane farmers in Hawaii where he lived and studied as a young boy. He worked in the asparagus farms in Stockton for the most part of his life, rising to become a trusted administrator in his later years.
He joined the US navy during the World War II and became a naturalized US citizen after the war.
Cheerful Disposition
Talisayan continues to possess a cheerful disposition to this day. He is jolly and always cracks jokes. His two sons and wife have high respect for their old man. "My dad is the coolest. In times of trouble, I never saw him fret. He always listens to everybody's side. And then he gives out his opinion and suggestions. Then things get better. We are able to see clearly and do what is appropriate," his son Edward said.
Talisayan said that if something was bothering him, he would silently turn to prayer. "If something concerns me, I pray and give up my worries to God. Then I would feel better."
Like Talisayan, 103-year-old Rose Morat, who lives in Jamaica Heights in New York, thinks her happy disposition has brought her a long way in life.
"Talking to people and being with my friends are my best moments," she said in an interview in her apartment in a rainy afternoon in April this year. Rose easily cheers up a sad friend by her wit and advice. "When I see my friend losing weight, I tell her to eat more. Life is too good to lose appetite for. And I give her some tips to good food."
Morat was born in Brooklyn in New York in 1906, the second child of John and Sophie who were both from Germany. John began his life in Long Island, getting into all kinds of work, from driver to factory worker, until finally he established his own beer manufacturing plant.
The young Morat finished high school and landed on being a telephone operator in one of the largest telecommunications company in New York. She spent the longest part of her life as professional in a brokerage house in Wall Street as telephone receptionist.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky showed that being happy can prolong life to at least 10 years, compared to those who were sad. In an article entitled Secrets to a Long Life published by ThirdAge.com, researchers noted that "the trick is to find happiness in everything that you do, live for the moment, and relish the small pleasures of life." It added that being positive adds to at least 7.5 years of one's life.
Healthy Diet
Morat and Talisayan eat fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Processed food is a no no.
For Talisayan, there is always fresh fish (that is either steamed or grilled) on the table and his favorite vegetable soup, malunggay (Moringa oleifiera), with chicken or fish.
Malunggay is a popular vegetable soup in the Philippines and India that has exhibited some health benefits for its users. Now gaining popularity in western medicine, Malunggay is dubbed as the miracle vegetable which has proven to strengthen the immune system, control blood pressure, eliminate headaches and migraines, and manage diabetes sugar levels, ulcers, and arthritis.
Morat cooks her own food, usually the German way, on beef and potatoes and yellow and green vegetables. "And I rarely eat sweets."
Exercise
Morat exercises everyday by walking. "Thirty minutes of walk in the morning and afternoon does good for me," said. Talisayan on the other hand, walks hand in hand with his wife regularly every afternoon. "When you walk with your loved one, it is both healthy and happy. It makes you feel young all the time," he beamed.
 |
