The elderly is perceived to be one of the most vulnerable groups in the society. Our country sees them as mere recipients of help and assistance.
However, when the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) – Quezon Chapter emerged victorious at the 2ND Regional Bayani Ka Awards, Bayanihan Category, the stigma of frail elderly was proven otherwise.

The Bayani Ka Awards was held to honor the members of the community who showed unwavering commitment and dedication to community service. Awardees range from volunteers, civil society organizations, to local government units.

The level of participation required to be granted this award is basically high. To name a few, the common tasks of the volunteers who receive this award include writing sub-project proposal, maintaining a high level of community participation in assemblies, and being a part of LGU dialogues and meetings – tasks that are unlikely done by people way past their retirement age.

“Sa edad naming ito, ang gusto lang naman namin ay mayroong maiwang maganda sa mga anak namin at sa susunod na henerasyon,” said Severino Taylan, a member of the Barangay Representation Team (BRT).

According to them, they want to maximize their decades of experience in different areas of community leadership by steering the younger generations to aim for empowerment.

While most people their age stay at home and enjoy the comforts of retirement, the group endures the scorching summer heat in their barangay hall just to participate in barangay assemblies. They even go as far as walking house-to-house just to invite their fellow citizens to participate in barangay assemblies.

During their victory speech at the awards day, their representative said, “Maraming salamat sa pagkilala ninyo sa ginagawa namin. Makakaasa kayong ipagpapatuloy namin ang serbisyo sa bayan.”

Their story goes to show that community service is not limited to those who have strong bones, agile body, and shiny black hair. Sometimes, community volunteerism is best reflected by our wrinkly, silver-haired grandmas and grandpas who are willing to go the distance just to render service.

After being awarded at the 2nd Regional Bayani Ka Awards last October 15 at The Harvest Hotel, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, the FSCAP will also become Region 3’s representative to the National Bayani Ka Awards.

SALUTE TO OUR ELDERLY FOR THE UNPARALLELED HEROISM!### (Ma. Dennielle M. Lomboy)

City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Dumalaw si DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo sa DSWD Field Office III kahapon, October 19, upang siguraduhing handa ang ahensiya sa mga posibleng epekto ng Bagyong #LawinPH.

Pinangunahan ng kalihim ang puspusang pagplaplano para sa darating na bagyo. Ayon sa kanya, huwag limitahan ang pangangalap ng datos ng mga nasalanta sa numero o statistics ng mga biktima at nangangailangan ng tulong. Bilang social workers, dapat ay alamin natin ang kalagayan ng mga biktima at ng kanilang mga pamilya upang maibigay ang kanilang pangangailangan.

Ang ahensya ay nagbibigay ng mga family packs, food items, at non-food items sa mga kababayan nating direktang apektado ng bagyo. Bukas din ang mga evacuation centers ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa mga mamamayang kinakailangang lumikas sa kani-kanilang tahanan.

Isa rin sa mga binigyang-diin ng kalihim ang paninigurado ng kalagayan ng mga kawani ng DSWD na nasa Quick Response Team (QRT).

Isa ang Region 3, partikular na ang Northern Aurora, sa mga lugar na madadaanan at makakaranas ng hagupit ng Bagyong Lawin. ### (Ma. Dennielle M. Lomboy)

Ms. Florentina Calalang, OIC-Chief of the Operations and Program Division of the DSWD Field Office III received PhilHealth Lifetime Membership during the Elderly Filipino Week celebration held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, October 7.

Ms. Calalang, who has spent more than 28 years of government service at the DSWD Field Office III, will be retiring this month.

The awarding was one of the highlights of the celebration with the theme, ”Pagmamahal at Respeto ng Nakababata Nagpapaligaya sa Nakatatanda,”

The Lifetime Membership is given to individuals aged 60 years and above and have paid at least 120 monthly contributions with PhilHealth and the former Medicare Programs of SSS and GSIS; Uniformed personnel aged 56 years and above and have paid at least 120 monthly contributions with PhilHealth and the former Medicare Programs of SSS and GSIS, said Ms. Ruby Vitug of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Region III. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)

Mula sa labing walong pamilya a iba’t-ibang rehiyon ng bansa, tinanghal ang Bulso Family, mula sa Barangay Dibutunan, Dipaculao, Aurora na isa sa mga limang nanguna sa (4th runner-up) Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, ngayong araw, October 1, 2016 sa Commission on Audit (COA) Sport and Cultural Center, Quezon City, bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng National Family Day.

Ang naturang nasyonal na paligsahan ay naglalayong kilalanin ang mga huwarang pamilya – mga pamilyang may matatag na samahan na ang pundasyon ay pagmamahalan, sa buong Pilipinas; at mga mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino na nagsusumikap na tumaas ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay, at magbigay ng mas magandang bukas.

“Sa pamilya tayo nagiging tao, sa pamilya rin nahuhubog ang ating pagkatao,” bahagi ni Sec. Judy Taguiwalo, na dumaan pa sa naturang paggawad upang batiin at pasalamatan ang mga natatanging pamilya.

“Nakita ko pa lamang po ang mga pamilyang nagsusumikap sa kabila ng kahirapan, tulad ninyo, ay ‘yun na mismo ang inspirasyon,” wika naman ni Asec. Malou Turalbe na nakibahagi rin sa pagdiriwang.

Ang Pamilya Bulso ay nakakuha ng plake ng pagkilala at premyong P10,000.00, bukod pa sa P20,000.00 na napanalunan nila sa palighasang pangrehiyon.

Ayon kay Liliosa Bulso o Nanay Lota, ang ilaw ng tahanan, ang ibang bahagi ng premyo ay gagamitin nila upang tumulong sa pagpapatayo ng bagong simbahan sa kanilang lugar at ang iba naman ay idadagdag nila sa kanilang puhunan sa negosyo at pampaaral ng kanilang mga anak.### (Andyleen C. Feje)