Aging citizens show true form at celebs

JAGNA – WELL, they are retired but that does not mean they are tired.

Coming out strong to aver that they have not fully surrendered to the debilitating abuse of old age, senior citizens, some of them obviously not mindful of their ripening age came in active during the elderly Filipino week celebration on Oct. 19.

The day was marked with a joyous activity at the Jagna gymnasium. It was sponsored by the Local Government Unit (LGU), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in observance of the Elderly Filipino Week for 2006. With Mayor Exuperio Lloren out in Tokyo for scholarship studies, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) head on the senior citizens office Councilor Vitorino Nayga Sr., took on the advised in the DSWD.

The day-long activity started with a mass at 6AM followed by the grand parade of aging men and women who literally took their ages in stride. A fitting program was held at the Jagna gymnasium later, participated in by members from the 33 barangays here. The instant quest for the oldest member present was a big hit to the morning activity. A retired light house keeper of then Jagna wharf, a pre-war employee who was born in 1914 walked with the handsome prize that day.

The 92-year Luis Apalisok, the most active member of the Pangdan Federated Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) still managed to be the beacon to all aging who could not graciously take the age toll candidly. Ex-board member lawyer Alexander Villacastin, Jagna FSCAP president welcomed the participants. Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Alberto Cafe gave the message for the mayor. Senior SB member lawyer Bonifacio Virtudes Sr., gave the statement of purpose while Kagawad Godofredo Okit Sr., also gave an inspirational talk in place of the chair on social services who was out of town.

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