“Eat, sing, dance and work”: this is the secret to a long and happy life. The recipe comes from Rosa Verso, who celebrated her 107th birthday on Wednesday, January 31st, and celebrated it this Saturday surrounded by family and friends at the Residência Social de Caria in Belmont. In fact, believe me CM“There are 108 of them, because when I was registered, I was already born.” At 107 years old, Rosa is almost the same age as the Republic. It has survived two world wars, the Spanish flu pandemic and, most recently, Covid-19. “I’m tough. One day I got sick and they told me I was going to die. But by the time they realized that, I was already out of bed and eating,” he says between laughs. Rosa was born in Ferro, in Covilha, and began working at the age of 7 as a shepherd, and later became a foreman on three farms, “where she managed the people.” She was widowed at 50, but life has blessed her with three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who visit her whenever possible. Rose loves goat cheese and sausages. “Good food also makes you want to live,” says a centenarian who has never had problems with diabetes or cholesterol.