Orange Walk Woman Turns 109 Years

While Belize celebrated its 43 years of independence, Orange Walk resident Efigenia Cal celebrated her 109th birthday. Born on September 21, 1915, Cal has seen over a century of change. She was married at the age of 15 and raised nine children.

“My birthday passed just this Saturday. I turned one hundred and nine,” Cal said during an interview with News 5.

Reflecting on her life, Cal shared memories of her late husband, Emiliano Cal, who died at the age of 35. When asked about her health, she remarked, “I feel bad; I get pain; my knees and feet hurt sometimes.”

Her granddaughter, Maria Carrillo, expressed her gratitude for having her grandmother in her life. “It means a lot for me because she’s been so long with me. I care for her and mind her.” Carrillo noted that Cal enjoys a diet rich in callaloo, spinach, beets, and sweet potatoes.

“She could do the work. For example, I’m a sell vendor, and I sell corn and tamalitos… And then she helps me. She grinds it. And she peels the corn. She bakes by herself. So far, I don’t have to bathe her; she bathes herself, cleans herself, and eats by herself,” Carrillo added.

While Carrillo feels a mix of pride and concern, she stated, “One of these days she has to go… but she still has faith and is strong.”