At 117 years old, Spanish woman María Branyas stands out as the oldest person in the world, but she is not the only one in Spain with expectations of living such a long life. More than 20,000 centenarians in the country aspire to reach her remarkable age.
In this context, Dr. Manuel de la Peña, a renowned scholar and president of the European Institute of Health and Social Well-being, has embarked on a tour of clinical interviews with the world’s oldest people. Recently, he met with Mr. Engraciano González, who is celebrating his 109th birthday today. According to Dr. de la Peña, healthy habits and lifestyles have played a fundamental role in Engraciano’s longevity. This outstanding centenarian maintains a balanced diet, walks daily in the garden he considers his “oasis”, and maintains a very positive attitude towards life. Additionally, Engraciano challenges his mental abilities with crosswords and games such as dominoes and bingo.
What has impressed Dr. De la Peña the most is Engraciano’s positive thinking, intelligence, and vibrant enthusiasm. Despite being hypertensive, his vital signs are carefully monitored, and his heart rate and cholesterol levels are examples of good health. This care has allowed him to recover from various health problems, including a heart attack, colon cancer, a hip fracture, and Covid-19.
Engraciano also has unwavering faith and is a member of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Fatima. Currently, he resides at La Aurora Nursing Home in Navalcarnero, Madrid, where he feels especially happy. During the interview, Mr. Engraciano demonstrated a powerful memory, recounting anecdotes of his life, including his work as head of maintenance at IBERIA during World War II and his career alongside illustrious pilots such as General Manuel Presa Alonso.
This supercentenarian also expressed pride in his children and grandchildren, with whom he maintains a close relationship. His stories, which include tales of dedication and achievements, will be included in Dr. de la Peña’s upcoming book, “Guide to Living Healthy for 120 Years”, which will be published on September 5 of this year. Engraciano concluded the interview with a message of love and optimism: “Love everyone.”
In addition to his academic work, Dr. De la Peña is recognized with the Gold Insignia of the Coronary Patients Association and the Bronze Medal of the Society of International Studies, reflecting his commitment and contributions to health and social well-being. The European Institute of Health and Social Well-being, of which he is president, counts on the participation of prominent figures such as Nobel Prize winners, ministers, and members of the European Parliament.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
