Tuesday, April 08, 2008 Caring for elderly in Lahug
THEY may be already in the “pre-departure” area, said Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, but the elderly need not set with the sun into obscurity.
Yesterday, Lahug feted some 250 senior citizens of the barangay during a formal launching of its program intended to increase awareness on the need to respect the elderly.
The barangay will post tarpaulins in strategic places within its territory announcing that “in Barangay Lahug, we take good care of our most prized possession, our…senior citizens.”
To finance the self-help project, the barangay is selling framed engravings in marble of two children kissing the hands of their grandparents, which is an age-old show of respect for the elderly.
Costing P1,200 each, the marble also includes two engraved sunflowers, which got its name because of it peculiar nature of always facing the sun, as a symbolism of warmth for the old.
De los Santos said they already prepared letters addressed to establishments, urging them to buy the memento and display them in their premises to show that, like the barangay where they are situated, they are also senior citizen-friendly.
Proceeds will be used to buy the tarpaulins.
The program came a year after Lahug officials gave pneumonia vaccines to 410 senior citizens on Feb. 14, 2007.
At P1,000 each inoculation, the vaccines were purchased using money the barangay gathered from caroling activities in December 2006.
De los Santos said they wanted to show gratitude to the senior citizens for what they have done in the prime of their lives to prepare the barangay for today’s generation.
“It is a question of gratitude. We will be like them someday. How would we feel if we, too, will be neglected and not given importance?” she said.
Jukebox
During the launching, singer-preacher Alvin Barcelona serenaded the senior citizens with “kundimans,” Cebuano oldies like “Matud Nila” and “Usahay,” and songs of Philippine jukebox kings from Yoyoy Villame to Eddie Peregrina, Victor Wood, and April Boy Regino.
It made them reminisce the time of their youth, said one, her face aglow.
United Senior Citizens Association head George Villamor, who was invited to the gathering, wished that officials of other barangays would emulate what Lahug is doing.
“I wished other barangay officials will have a similar attitude towards the senior citizens. Many are indifferent. To be given importance, for the public to be made aware that the senior citizens are important and part of the community, is heart-warming,” he said. (RHM)
