The Oldest Living Filipino Is One Hundred Thirteen Years Old

Don Angel Carlin y Collantes

Oldest Living Filipino

As of October 2025, the title of oldest living person in the Philippines belongs to Don Angel Carlin y Collantes, a resident of Barangay Abuyog, City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon Province. Born on August 27, 1912, Don Angel is now 113 years old, making him three months older than Leopolda Robble, who previously held the distinction of being the oldest verified Filipino alive.

Because of the wide reach of the Pinoy History Team, one of Don Angel’s paternal descendants reached out to the group to verify and authenticate his documents through the Region V Civil Registry Office in Sorsogon City. The verification process was formally witnessed and signed by Ms. Piopongco, who attested to the authenticity and legality of his birth certificate. This document, preserved in local records, provides clear proof of Don Angel’s birth year, confirming his remarkable age of 113 years.

Further research revealed that Don Angel is the unico hijo (only son) of Don 

Pedro Carlin and Doña Melania Collantes, members of a well-known and respected family in Sorsogon during the early 1910s. The Carlin-Collantes family was among the prominent families in the province at that time, known for their contributions to local governance and community development.

According to the records, Don Angel’s birth document had been certified three times by the civil registry. The most recent certification, signed by Mrs. Canon, was issued exactly ten years ago, reaffirming the document’s legitimacy. In 2025, the Pinoy History Team also received a recent photograph of Don Angel from Mr. San Jose, a family acquaintance, which confirms that he is still alive and in relatively good condition despite his advanced age. Witnesses reported that Don Angel can still walk with minimal assistance and occasionally engages in conversations with neighbors and relatives.

This extraordinary verification has led to Don Angel being officially recognized as the oldest living Filipino today. His longevity story has sparked widespread interest among historians, genealogists, and the local community in Sorsogon.

In collaboration with Atty. Gubaton, the verification process further established that Don Angel now sits at the top of the list of verified supercentenarians in the Philippines, surpassing all other living Filipinos currently on record. Below him are 31 other verified individuals who have reached at least 105 years of age and are still living as of this year.

Don Angel’s life serves as a living testament to the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit. His story not only highlights the importance of historical record preservation but also celebrates the enduring legacy of Filipino elders who have witnessed more than a century of the nation’s evolution, from the American colonial period to the modern Republic of the Philippines.

From AI Overview in Google:

The oldest person alive is Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom, who is 116 years old and was born on August 21, 1909. She holds the title after the death of the previous holder, Inah Canabarro Lucas, in April 2025. The oldest living man is João Marinho Neto of Brazil, who is 113 years old.  

Meanwhile, my Personal Reflection on The Secrets of Longevity: Lessons from Maria Branyas Morera and Ethel Caterham

Longevity has always fascinated me. As someone who has reached my 90s, I often find myself wondering what keeps some people alive, alert, and engaged even past a century. Recently, I read about Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to be 117, and Ethel Caterham, now recognized as the world’s oldest living person at 116. Their lives, more than their years, offer a quiet lesson in what it truly means to live well.

Maria Branyas Morera was born in 1907 in California but lived most of her life in Spain. She survived two world wars, a civil war, and even COVID-19 at age 113. When asked about her secret to longevity, she often replied with disarming simplicity: “Good health, order, tranquility, good connections with family and friends, and staying away from toxic people.” That last part, about avoiding negativity, struck me deeply. It wasn’t about medicine or diet—it was about the company she kept and the peace she cultivated within herself.

Ethel Caterham, on the other hand, from the United Kingdom, has lived through even more history—her life spanning from horse-drawn carriages to self-driving cars. She attributes her long life to “no special diet, no secret formula, just moderation and a happy disposition.” She still enjoys a glass of sherry now and then. Like Maria, she values calmness and gratitude over strict rules or modern health fads.

I find something comforting in that simplicity. Both women remind us that longevity isn’t only about genes or healthcare—it’s about the art of living lightly.
They lived without rushing, held close to family and community, and adapted gracefully to a century of change. There’s wisdom there for all of us, especially as we grow older.

As I reflect on my own journey—writing daily blogs, playing bridge and mahjong, and doing my best to move despite leg pain—I realize that perhaps the secret is not just how long we live, but how gently we do so. To live without bitterness, to keep curiosity alive, to remain connected to others—these may be the true markers of a long and meaningful life.

“Longevity is not measured in years, but in the peace, kindness, and gratitude we bring to each passing day.”

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Lastly, here are the top 3 Largest Super volcanoes on Earth — Nature’s Sleeping Giants!

These massive calderas once unleashed eruptions powerful enough to reshape continents and alter global climates. Though most now lie silent, their stories remind us of Earth’s fiery past

Apolaki Caldera — Philippine Rise, Philippines

~150 km wide — the largest known caldera on Earth!

Status: Extinct — formed millions of years ago, now a silent giant beneath the sea.

Toba Caldera — Sumatra, Indonesia

~100 km wide

Erupted about 74,000 years ago, releasing thousands of cubic kilometers of ash.

Status: Dormant — still active underground, showing signs of geothermal movement.

La Garita Caldera — Colorado, USA

~75 km wide

Formed around 27 million years ago in one of the largest eruptions in Earth’s history.

Status: Extinct — no signs of future activity.

From ocean floors to mountain peaks, these super volcanoes prove that our planet’s calm surface hides unimaginable power beneath.

My Photo of the Day:  

Every March, the streets of Puerto Princesa transform into a sea of soft pink and white — the dazzling bloom of the Balayong tree (Cassia nodosa or Cynometra ramiflora), often called the “Palawan Cherry Blossom.”

This native species paints the city in colors reminiscent of Japan’s sakura, yet uniquely Filipino in spirit. The Balayong Festival celebrates not just the tree’s fleeting beauty, but also Puerto Princesa’s growth and resilience — a living symbol of nature’s grace intertwined with local pride. When the Balayong petals fall, they remind every onlooker that Palawan’s true beauty lies in its roots.

My Food For Thought for Today:

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