Meet the 90-Year-Old Woman Who's Keeping a Dying Tradition Alive in Cebu

CONSOLACION, Cebu—She slowly walks down the streets, her frail frame undeterred by the weight of her bag full of prayer books, rosaries, and novenas. At 90 years old, Buenaventurada Potestas has become a familiar sight in Consolacion, Cebu, where she has long been a mananabtan - a prayer leader for families who have lost loved ones.

As Kalag-Kalag, Cebu's version of All Saints' Day, approaches, Buenaventurada's presence becomes even more significant. While some say that the younger generation has lost interest in the traditional prayers and rituals, Buenaventurada moves forward, quietly preserving a tradition that has been passed down for generations.

Buenaventurada remembers a time when families would gather around her, intently listening as she led the prayers for their deceased loved ones. Kalag-Kalag was a time when the community came together, each family sharing stories, tears, and memories of those who have gone before them.

Despite her advanced age, Buenaventurada continues to make her way to families' homes, prayer book in hand, ready to lead them in prayer and guide them in honoring the dead. Her dedication has earned her a special place in the hearts of those in Consolacion.

Buenaventurada's journey as a mananabtan began decades ago, when she was still a young woman. She remembered learning the prayers and rituals from her mother, who had learned it from her own mother before her. The tradition was passed down through generations of women in her family, each one taking on the role of mananabtan when the time came.

Today, Buenaventurada is one of the last remaining links to a dying tradition. The younger generation, caught up in the trappings of modernity and technology, seems less inclined to carry on Kalag-Kalag as their ancestors once did.

Still, Buenaventurada remains optimistic. As she moves from one home to another, prayer book in hand, she knows that as long as she continues to lead the prayers, the tradition will live on. Even in her advanced age, she remains committed to her role as a mananabtan, quietly preserving a ritual that has been a cornerstone of Cebuano Catholic tradition for generations.