A series of events was held in Tacloban City to honor its elderly residents in observance of the Elderly Week on Oct. 1 to 7, kicked off by a region-wide “Walk for Life” celebration on Sept. 30.
Sponsored by Philhealth, Department of Health, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, participants walked from the DSWD Office to Leyte Park Hotel to advocate elderly healthy lifestyle, regular exercises such as Zumba and walking, and nutritious food intake and supplements for elderly persons.
A medical mission was held on Oct. 4 at Robinsons’ Place, focusing on dementia and bone-related illnesses commonly affecting 60 percent of the elderly. Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez sent her Cristina Learn & Earn Program team to give free haircuts and reflexology to hundreds of senior citizens during the medical mission.
The celebration culminated with the 2nd Coronation Night for the Search for Lolo King and Lola Queen on Oct. 6 at Tacloban City Convention Center/Astrodome. Mayor Romualdez congratulated this year’s Lolo King Leo Rama and Lola Queen Carmelita Yu.
Tacloban City Councilors Aimee Grafil and Dr. Elvie Casal, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, and the other senior citizens organizations in Tacloban City graced the event.
“We give due respect to our elderlies who have contributed much with what we are today. I ask the younger generation to always uphold the rights of our elderlies at all times, because someday we will be like them, let them enjoy their remaining years in life,” said Romualdez.
This year’s national theme is “Kilalanin at Parangalan, Taga-Sulong ng Karapatan ng Nakakatanda Tungo sa Lipunang Mapagkalinga.”
Romualdez said simple acts may be done to honor our elderly, such as offering them a seat, allowing them to be served first, kissing their hands as a gesture of respect, using “po” and “opo” in talking to them, assisting them and holding their hands in crossing the street.
Tacloban City has 18,000 registered senior citizens, according to Office of Senior Citizen Association head Rodrigo Cinco. Senior citizens in the city enjoy 20 percent discount in transportation fare, groceries, restaurant, medicines, free consultation at the Tacloban City Hospital & Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, and free movies every Monday at Robinsons’ Place.
The celebration was done in collaboration with the City Government of Tacloban City, OSCA, Tacloban Federation of Senior Citizen Association, and the City Social Welfare Office.