Outstanding Baguio senior citizens feted

BAGUIO CITY  - The city government here headed by the City Social Welfare Office and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs gave honor to about 20,000 senior citizens as it celebrated Filipino Elderly Month Oct. 1 at the President Fidel V. Ramos gymnasium.    

Highlighting commencement of the month long celebration was the recognition and awarding of ten outstanding senior citizens achievers awardees.

Senior citizens Simona Llanes and Lolita Abastilla bested under the Huwarang Nakatatanda category.

Outstanding senior citizens under the leadership category were senior citizens Nenita Trinidad, Rosalind Camat and Sonia Mina.

Senior citizens achievers awardees Aguiles de Jesus, Lucas Sacoy, Jr., Casimero Viray, Jr. and Inocencia Marfil were recognized under the community service category.

Also, SC Elizabeth Huliganga was awarded under the resource generation category.

The theme of the month long celebration “Igalang and Karapatan ng mga Nakatatanda” aims to promote the rights and the well-being of the elderlies.

Inspirational speaker for the occasion entrepreneur Narda Capuyan spoke about elderly wisdom and guidance in life decisions she made as a young lady, and now as senior citizen.

She reminisced through financial hardships and at times, “unbearable trials,” she with husband Wilson Capuyan underwent as businesspeople. Later opportunities proved better than expected as the native woven “ikat” products labeled “Narda’s” were successfully marketed worldwide.

Capuyan urged her fellow senior citizens to consider hardship as opportunities and be “stewards doing God’s business,” love hard work, learn towards excellence and have fun alongside. Despite human weaknesses, life should be lived with gratitude, coupled with courage, simplicity, love and peace, Capuyan said.

She was introduced by City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan as “Icon of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)” earlier done in Cebu.

Lady Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda rendered the closing message with wishes for the elderly to continue learning and growing, remain mentally and spiritually empowered as assets of community.            

The activity ended with the senior citizens’ parade from the PFVR gymnasium to People’s park where seedlings were distributed.  – Jho Arranz and Julie Fianza