Anacleto Maratas of Santa Maria celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday at Wallard Park with his family.

Maratas was born March 26, 1908, in the Philippines, and stayed there until he was 19 years old, according to his daughter Aurora Blake. He went to school up to the fourth grade, and wanted to continue his schooling, but his parents couldn't afford to send him to a bigger island to continue.

He came to the United States when he was 19, with a group of friends from the island. He settled in the Salinas Valley and found work cutting lettuce and strawberries, Blake said.

In 1945, Maratas came to Santa Maria and cut broccoli and lettuce. He met his future wife, Nancy Moya, and they married in 1957. They had two daughters, Aurora and Molly. He also has five children from a previous marriage, according to Blake.

He has 22 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, Blake said.

Maratas became an avid fisherman after retiring in 1972. Blake attributed his long life to not smoking or drinking, eating moderately, and eating lots of seafood and ginger. He also enjoys Filipino boxing and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bettina Adragna can be reached at 739-2220 or at badra gna@santamariatimes.com.

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