The family of Enriqueta Espino (Nanay Etang), would like to inform the community of the passing of their loved one on 14 November 2020. She was 103.
A month prior, The Philippine Times published an article in conjunction with Seniors Month, noting Nanay Etang as one of the oldest Filipinos in Melbourne. She turned 103 in July this year.
Article from October 2020:
Many dream of reaching 100, and some say every year after that is a bonus. One of the oldest Filipinos in Melbourne is Enriqueta Espino of Mill Park, who turned 103 in July this year. Henrietta is known as ‘Nanay Etang’ and is loved by many. She is originally from Pangasinan in the Philippines and her family lived in Quezon City before migrating to Australia in 1980. She has five daughters, two sons and 19 grandchildren.
Nanay Etang is one of the first members of the Damayan 3 group of the Filipino Community Council of Victoria (FCCVI). She has been known to have a lot of friends around the northern suburbs and beyond, becoming especially known through the family’s Filipino shop which existed in Bundoora for five years. She loves cooking and attending the Damayan Social Support Group when she is able, as she enjoys being around her friends.
Her simple secrets to living a long life include eating healthy food and living a stress-free lifestyle. She believes that having a positive attitude and making time to bond with family and friends are important. Her general advice to everyone is to ‘take it easy and relax.’ She also says, ‘don’t allow yourself to become affected by problems in life.’
She is also fortunate to be living at home with some family members who look after her each day. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, there was unfortunately no large birthday party for Nanay Etang this year. She spent the day relaxing at home while her family prepared a feast with music to celebrate the special day.
