TAIWAN, HOU BI DISTRICT – In the quiet farming community of Houbi, Tainan, a 101-year-old woman pedals her bicycle past rice paddies each morning, proving that age is merely a number. Qiu Su-Pin, a legendary centenarian and award-winning environmental volunteer, has become a local icon—and she’s finally sharing the simple habits that have kept her vibrant for over a century.
A Century of Service and Sustainability
Qiu, who turned 101 in 2025, gained recognition through the Taiwanese film Let It Be (無米樂), which spotlighted Houbi’s agricultural heritage. But her reputation extends far beyond cinema. She served as a community volunteer for three decades, retiring only at 99, and was honored as a Model Environmental Volunteer in 2019. Today, she remains a familiar sight: cycling through fields each dawn, belting out karaoke tunes, and embodying an energy that defies her years.
The Centenarian’s Diet: Milkfish and Moderation
Qiu’s dietary philosophy is refreshingly uncomplicated. She eats what she enjoys—and avoids nutritional supplements entirely. Her “must-eat” menu includes white rice, sweet potatoes, and two preferred proteins: pork and milkfish (known as 虱目魚 in Mandarin and sabahee in Taiwanese Hokkien).
Milkfish, sometimes called “milkfish” in Hong Kong, is a staple in Taiwanese cuisine but remains relatively uncommon in Hong Kong markets. According to the Hong Kong Market Fish and Seafood Research Society, the fish appears seasonally, typically weighing between 10 taels and 3 catties, and is priced at about 2 to 3 Hong Kong dollars per tael. Most of what reaches Hong Kong comes from Taiwan or is wild-caught.
Nutritionally, milkfish offers impressive benefits:
- High-quality protein: Easily digestible and low in fat, supporting muscle maintenance for all ages
- Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA): Beneficial for brain function, eye health, and cardiovascular protection
- Collagen and zinc: Found abundantly in the skin, promoting skin elasticity and metabolic health
- Iron and calcium: Supporting blood health and bone density
Qiu’s approach to cooking is equally straightforward. Her secret for pan-frying milkfish: “More oil, less salt. The extra oil prevents sticking, and the aroma fills the kitchen.” She admits a fondness for sweets, including sugary bubble tea, explaining simply, “Sweetness makes life flavorful.”
Four Daily Habits for an Active Life
Pedaling Through the Morning Mist
Qiu wakes at 5 a.m. daily and rides her bicycle for at least one hour—checking on the fields that she once worked herself. Even now, with hired help managing the land, she cannot resist a morning inspection. That same ride takes her to the local clinic for blood pressure medication, a routine she maintains without fail.
Embracing the “Harder, Stronger” Spirit
“The more you do, the stronger you become,” Qiu often says. This philosophy drives her to handle household chores independently: cooking, washing dishes, mopping floors, cleaning toilets. She only stopped at 99 after family members pleaded with her to rest. “I don’t like bothering others,” she explains. “Doing things myself keeps me young.”
Her life has not been easy. She married a farmer and gave birth to her second child in a sugarcane field shelter. When her husband suffered a stroke at 66, she cared for him alone for nine years, refusing outside help. Today, she lives on a monthly old-age farmer subsidy of 7,000 Taiwanese dollars (approximately 1,800 Hong Kong dollars)—enough, she insists. She declines offers of hired caregivers, calling it wasteful and uncomfortable.
A Mindset of Resilience and Joy
Qiu cannot read or write, but that has never limited her. She has traveled abroad more than 20 times, booking group tours to Japan, mainland China, and even Angkor Wat—sometimes without telling her family. “I just go,” she laughs.
At home, she frequents the community center to socialize with other seniors. Lunar New Year brings her greatest joy: “Four generations together, handing out red envelopes, seeing my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—it fills my heart.”
What This Means for Longevity Seekers
Qiu Su-Pin’s story challenges conventional wisdom about aging. She does not follow restrictive diets, take supplements, or avoid sweets. Instead, her longevity appears rooted in three pillars: consistent physical activity, meaningful purpose, and emotional resilience.
For Hong Kong readers, incorporating milkfish into regular meals could offer nutritional advantages, but the broader takeaway is more profound. As Qiu demonstrates, a long life may have less to do with perfection and more with persistence—pedaling forward, one sunrise at a time.