PHILIPPINES: 6,328 elderly of Baguio aged 77 and more to get social pension

BAGUIO / Sun Star / February 6, 2012

By JM Agreda

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently announced its plans to expand the Social Pension, which aims to provide monthly pension to senior citizens aged 77 years old and above.

From last year's 3,566 social pensioners, the regional office announced plans to add some 2,762 senior citizens in the region, making the total number of elderly beneficiaries to 6,328.

Leonardo Reynoso, DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region director, said the 77 percent increase in the region is part of the nationwide program expansion targeting around 1,297,159 million poor elderly Filipinos nationwide who are qualified for social pension based on National Household Targeting System data.

This brings the annual budget allotted for the Social Pension program to P37.9 million in the Cordillera.

As stipulated in the Expanded Senior Citizen's Act of 2010, the Social Pension program for indigent senior citizens grants a qualified beneficiary of a P500 monthly stipend to augment daily subsistence and medical needs.

The department currently distributes this monthly stipend quarterly to pensioners.

Reynoso said only indigent senior citizens are covered by the social pension program, excluding pensioners of insurance providers such as the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and other insurance services.

The DSWD is set to release P9.4 million this February as first quarter stipend of the pensioners. The amount, according to Reynoso, has already been released to the DSWD by the Department of Budget Management.

The regional program management committee is currently facilitating the preparation of payrolls for all pensioners who are set to receive their cash stipends for the first quarter by February.

Last year, the program was able to release over P21.3 million in grants for its beneficiaries.

The Social Pension Program is implemented in partnership with local government units, municipal and city social welfare offices and Offices of Senior Citizens Affairs.

Sun.Star Publishing, Inc.
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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. 
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

PHILIPPINES: Senior citizens warm up opening of food exchange

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan / Philippines Information Agency / November 29, 2011

By Jose Mari M. Garcia

Unfazed by the crisp morning air of the Christmas season, 500 senior citizens flexed their torsos in the recent “Todo Sayaw Todo Galaw, Senior Citizen Humahataw” held at the Brgy. San Juan, Balagtas.

The weekly exercise program was held concurrent with the Saturday opening of the North Food Exchange (NFEx) Tiangge last weekend which sold local agricultural and fisheries products.

Carmen Mina, head of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, said the weekly program is an early Christmas present to the senior citizens of the town who also received prizes and free food.

“The happiness of the grandfathers and grandmothers is overflowing that our gratefulness to Mayor Romy and to NFEx is continuing. We hope that they will continue to love the senior citizens of Balagtas,” said Mina.

The participants went home with prizes from the raffle and bingo programs. Free fishball, delicacies, mineral water, coconut and orange juice were also given to the seniors, according to municipal information officer Rolly Danes.

Mayor Romy Castro said programs for the elderly are available in Balagtas like discount cards and PhilHealth, and they even own an office for the association under the Love ko si Lolo Love ko si Lola, Elderly Project.

“It is inherent to Filipinos to be supportive of our grandfathers and grandmothers so the attention we give to our senior citizens are really at full blast,” said Castro.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed elation over the “Todo Sayaw Todo Galaw, Senior Citizen Humahataw” program where they now regularly meet conducted at the same site in NFEx, touted to be the Divisoria of Central Luzon.

“We are glad that with this program, we get leisure time and the members of the association have the chance to meet. We feel that we are important,” said Abelardo Ramos, president of the Federation of Senior Citizens of Balagtas.

After the program, the participants took time in buying vegetables and seafood which they said were cheaper and fresher than those in public markets.

Copyright © 2005 Philippine Information Agency

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.

Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

PHILIPPINES: Audit report does not consider Mayor buying cakes for senior citizens as illegal

ILOILO CITY, Philippines / Sun.Star / July 19, 2011

Mayor welcomes cases filed vs him

Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he welcomes the filing of criminal and administrative charges against him, confident the case will not succeed.

Businessman Rommel Ynion filed the charges against Mabilog before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for buying cakes for senior citizens in 32 separate purchases during Christmas and New Year.

Mabilog said the issue will finally be settled by a competent body and he is positive the cases against him will not succeed. More than 80 percent of cases filed against elected public officials in Iloilo are dismissed as political harassments out to rattle and distract public service, he said.


The city mayor said his conscience is clear and what were charged against him were products of wrong facts.

Recent photograph of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog courtesy: allaboutphilippines

The reimbursements of cake purchases amounted to Peso 106,690 were taken from the Peso 4.09 million expense allocations for conferences, meetings and entertainment.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit (COA) report did not consider buying cakes for senior citizens as illegal. The COA report showed the expenses are properly made under the appropriations for Other Maintenance and Operating Expenses, Extraordinary Expenses or Discretionary Expenses.

Copyright: Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. __________________________________________________________
Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

PHILIPPINES: Senior citizens receive social pension

DUMAGUETE City, Philippines / The Visayan Daily Star / July 2, 2011

By Juancho Gallarde

Senior citizens in Dumaguete City yesterday received P1,500 each under the Social Pension for Senior Citizens that allocates P500 per month for senior citizens under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The distribution of cash assistance to 27 senior citizens was assisted by Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria.

In the meantime, validation and accounting of senior citizens in the city is ongoing to determine the next batch of recipients, George Villamor, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs president, said.

Initially, the OSCA has accounted for more than 400 qualified senior citizens to receive the cash grant in the coming pay-out, and the list will be submitted to the DSWD for confirmation.

Recipients should not be receiving pensions from GSIS, SSS, Pag-IBIG and other insurance firms, have no children abroad, and are aged 77 years and above.

Source: Visayan Daily Star
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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

PHILIPPINES: Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales May Take Over as Ombudsman

MANILA / Manila Standard Today / Nation / June 19, 2011

After 40 years, Morales bows out of Supreme Court

Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, who administered the oath of office on President Aquino, retires after serving the government for 40 years, 28 of them in the judiciary. Since Morales’ compulsory retirement age of 70 will still be on Sunday, June 19, the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Renato Corona decided to hold the retirement ceremony in her honor on June 17.

With her retirement, there is no more legal impediment for her nomination to the Ombudsman post, but the female justice would have to answer several objections against her being shortlisted as nominees by the Judicial and Bar Council.

Morales, a native of Paoay, Ilocos Norte who graduated from the University of the Philippines and passed the bar examinations in 1969, was appointed Supreme Court justice on September 3, 2002 by then President Arroyo.

Morales served as chairman of the SC’s third division and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. She was a member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal until last year and was chairperson of the 2010 committee on bar examinations.

She had represented the SC in various international conferences.

Morales received many awards and commendations, among which were as “Outstanding Awardee in Championing Justice/Justice” given by the UP Alumni Association in 2008; the “Most Outstanding Kannawidan” of Ilocos Norte in 2003; and the “Ulirang Ina Awardee for Law and the Judiciary” given by the Father’s Day Mother’s Day Foundation in 2001.

Among the recent controversial decision written by Morales was the ruling that allowed live television and radio coverage of the trial of the cases involving the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 57 persons died, 32 of them journalists. But the decision cannot be used as precedent in other cases since it was adopted only after considering the peculiar circumstances of the trial. She said.

She also authored the decision that dismissed on technicality the petition of the Dacer family seeking the indictment of Senator Panfilo Lacson, in connection with the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. The SC ruled that only the Office of the Solicitor General may bring actions in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, or may represent the people of the Philippines or the State in criminal proceedings before the CA or the SC.

Rey Requejo

Copyright Manila Standard Today 2005-2009

PHILIPPINES: Needy senior citizens get additional pension

CALAMBA CITY / Philippine Information Agency / May 6, 2011

By Carlo P. Gonzaga

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Calabarzon held an orientation recently on the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizen to equip local government units on the operational guidelines in the implementation of the program. 280 senior citizen affairs officials from Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon attended.

Social pension for indigent senior citizens is in line with government’s mandate to provide assistance and protection to the vulnerable sectors. Guidelines detail the prioritization: first priority are aged 80 years old and above; second priority are aged 70-79 years old and the third priority are aged 60-69 years old.

Illustrative photo of elderly entitled to additional pension in the Philippines. Courtesy: loqal.ph

Indigent senior citizens are frail, sickly or with disability, and without pension or a permanent source of income, or regular support from any relative to meet the basic needs.

Each qualified indigent senior citizen will receive a monthly stipend of P500 as augmentation to their daily subsistence and other medical needs. Distribution of stipend in the provinces of CALABARZON region (Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon) started in the first semester of this year.

Copyright © 2005 Philippine Information Agency

PHILIPPINES: Lawmaker wants 30% real estate tax discount for seniors

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MANILA / SunStar / Home / April 18, 2011

Senior citizens should get a 30-percent discount on their real property taxes, a member of Congress said.

Caloocan City Representative Oscar Malapitan has filed a bill at the House of Representatives to give the elderly special property tax rates.

He said most senior citizens, already in retirement, have enough trouble meeting their daily needs as it is.

“Almost 90 percent of our senior citizens are living below the poverty threshold set of P10,000 a month and would not be able to pay the almost confiscatory real property taxes,” Malapitan, vice chairman of the House committee on Appropriations said.

(Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)

Copyright: Sun.Star Publishing, Inc.

PHILIPPINES: Aging is now considered a disease.

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MANILA / Manila Bulletin / Lifestyle / April 16, 2011

Never Feel Old

If Symptoms Persist...

By DR. JOSE S. PUJALTE JR.

Aging is now considered a disease. Or, as my favorite beatnik philosopher Alan Watts would have said, aging is now considered a dis-ease. This mind shift among health professionals and increasingly, among the educated public has tremendous implications in the way we approach the aging process.

In the past, physical aging was resignedly expected. Now, with better science and greater access to knowledge, our bodies can be tweaked and tinkered with for optimal function to the very end.

One new fact is that only 30% of any man or woman’s longevity can be blamed on genetic factors. Health behavior – the choice of food, environment, and activity – accounts for 70% of living long and strong. For indeed, worldwide, this new century will not only see an active elderly population (the elderly defined as 65+) but also a new group called the “oldest-old,” or those 85 and older. 20% of the world’s elderly population or 61 million people are in the oldest old. By 2020, this group will double to 146 million.

So what causes aging? Three main areas contribute to aging and death: aging of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system), aging of the immune system, and aging caused by accidents and the environment. Clogging of the arteries from a diet of highly saturated fat can cause heart attacks and strokes. A weak immune system and environmental toxins may cause some forms of cancer. Of course, accidents may mean premature death.

What accelerates aging? There are lifestyle choices that pull you closer to an early grave. These are: overeating and poor nutrition, smoking of whatever form, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, lack of mental challenge, and feeling unloved or uncared for. How many of these can you control? All of them.

Successful aging. According to Dr. John Rowe of the Mount Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine, successful aging is the ability to maintain three key behaviors. These are:
* Actions that produce low risk of disease.
* High mental and physical action.
* Active engagement with life.

Prevention is the main action in producing low risk of disease. Therefore, know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body weight, etc. See a doctor and determine if measures – diet, medication, supplementation or surgery – are needed for correction.

“High mental and physical action” means continuing mental and physical independence. Having to depend on someone because of disease or disability causes depression in the elderly. I am sure that you have heard of old people dying of sadness.

Finally, older people like everyone else, need love and respect. Active engagement thus means a continuing role in society as guru or sage. At home it can be as simple as feeling useful and needed. In the community, it can be mean mentoring, volunteering, or any action that keeps the elderly integrated.

What’s on the horizon? Two – human growth hormone (hGH) and sex steroids.

In theory, since hGH and testosterone (or estrogen) are responsible for the rapid growth and maturation in adolescence, replenishing them in old age will reverse the effects of aging. In fact, a study (from the Journal of the American Medical Association) said that combined hGH and sex steroids did just that – increased lean body mass and decreased fat in both men and women subjects. So is this the new silver bullet? It’s too soon to say. Long-term risks and side-effects are not completely known.

We all grow old. Aging gracefully, now that is a matter of choice. Because you may grow old but it’s a choice NOT to feel old.

Dr. Jose S. Pujalte, Jr is an orthopedic surgeon.
E-mail jspujalte@yahoo.com

Copyright 2011. Manila Bulletin

PHILIPPINES: One is old only when one says he is old

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MANILA / Manila Standard Today / Sports / April 11, 2011

IT’S time once again to sing hosannas to our senior citizens. They are, to put it mildly, wizards of all time.


I say this in lieu of UConn’s recent victory in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association.

More to the point, this is for Jim Calhoun, 68, the UConn (University of Connecticut) coach, who coached the UConn Huskies past the Butler Bulldogs of Indiana.

It was as dramatic a win as it could be for the victors, as traumatic a loss as it could be for the losers.

Calhoun’s tormentors chased their tormented all the way to the showers and it couldn’t be as painful as this one.

To the vanquished, it hurts to the bone. They’ve worked so hard to get this far—only to get waylaid in the so-called moment of truth.

Blame it to Granddad: Jim Calhoun.

Once more, the 53-41 UConn triumph typified to the hilt the timeless power of defense. Plus, the always-timely infliction of ill-laden blast by the intrepid senior citizens of our time.

UConn’s suffocating defense, tirelessly devised by Calhoun, limited Butler to only 12 shots made out of 64 attempts for a low of only 18.8 percent shooting from the field.

“Without question, 41 points, 12 of 64, is not good enough to win any game, let alone the championship game,” said Butler coach Brad Stevens.

At 34 years of age, Stevens could be Jim Calhoun’s son already.

At 68 years of age, Calhoun, in winning his third NCAA crown after 1999 and 2004, became the oldest coach to win America’s most-coveted college title.

The way Calhoun defeated Stevens, he put across a message—emphatically: “Hey, kid, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!”

If I heard Calhoun shout, “Who said I’m old?” in a berating manner after the game, he’d be justified.

No one is really old, I tell you.

I remember one top gun in the PBA say, in response to my answer to his query if Robert Jaworski will be a good choice to coach Meralco, “Isn’t he too old to be still coaching?”

Again, I say, no one is old. Only the one who says he is old is old.

Jaworski turned 65 on March 8.

“Do you know he still does 100 push-ups right after rising from his bed in the morning?” a friend of Jaworski’s told me a while back.

I have openly professed faith in Ryan Gregorio’s ability to coach, but had MVP hired Jaworski instead as Meralco coach, the Bolts might be in a different plane by now.

Never will the job of coaching require an age limit, as proven again by Calhoun.

You are 25 or 85 years old, it doesn’t matter, for as long as you don’t have the Alzeihmer’s.

Coaching is never about playing anyways but rather, knowing about who your players are, mastering the art of shuffling your players, devising plays, motivating personnel from the water boy to the team’s star player.

In the NCAA, a coach is supposed to be young to be able to cope with the rigors of almost a year-long job of honing a crew into a championship team.

Not totally true.

Yes, Stevens is 34 and his youth had somehow pushed Butler to back-to-back NCAA Finals appearances. But, alas, both times, he was deflected by seasoned coaches—the first being authored last year by Duke’s Mike Zyrwski, who also coached the US to the Olympic gold medal in 2008.

Stevens had one big consolation: He defeated coach Shaka Smart of VCC in the semifinals. Shaka is 33.

But if Stevens—and the rest out there trying to build a career in coaching—wants to learn some more about honest-to-goodness coaching, he need not look far.

There’s always Jim Calhoun. At 68, coaching tips should be flowing out of Jim’s ears—as in water spurting out from a faucet.

Monuments are always like that.

Copyright Manila Standard Today

PHILIPPINES: Senator welcomes 5% seniors' discount for power, water

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PASAY CITY, Philippines /  Senate of the Philippines / Press Release / January 6, 2011

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today lauded the announcement of the 5% senior citizens' discount for electricity and power rates by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and major water distribution utilities.

Cayetano is the principal sponsor in the Senate of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994) which laid down several benefits for the country's elderly, including the 5% discount for power and water, as well as a provision exempting them from the 12% expanded value added tax so that they may fully enjoy the 20% senior citizens' discount.

"I welcome the announcement of the 5% discount for water and power rates by ERC and major water companies as part of the benefits under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. This should give our seniors much-needed relief, even as toll fees, public utility fares and prices of basic goods continue to increase."

"But these benefits, while well-deserved by our lolas and lolos, should be enjoyed responsibly and must not be abused under any circumstances," she cautioned.

"I urge our elderly to fully comply with the requirements to be able to enjoy the discount, and for utility firms to step up their information drive about the discount guidelines to make the application process simpler, faster and easier to understand for our elderly."

As per the guidelines of ERC, senior citizens may avail of the 5% discount if their household monthly electricity consumption does not exceed 100 kilowatt-hours and if the installed electricity meter is registered under the name of the senior citizen.

Distribution utilities, such as Meralco and electric cooperatives, are mandated to give the discount upon their approval of the senior citizens' application.

According to Maynilad, senior citizens may enjoy the 5% discount on water provided that the service connection is classified under residential or semi-business category, registered in the name of the senior citizen, and monthly basic consumption of the account does not exceed 30 cubic meters. Maynilad provides water and wastewater services for the West Zone.

On the other hand, Manila Water Company, which is in charge of the East Zone, has reportedly been implementing the 5% discount to qualified beneficiaries since October last year.

© Senate of the Philippines

PHILIPPINES: Declaration soon of added privileges of expanded law for elderly

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TAGBILARAN CITY,  Bohol Province / The Bohol Standard / People / October 17, 2010

Bohol is conducting a month-long celebration of the Senior Citizens’ Week in recognition to the valuable contribution of the elderly in the community.


Senior Citizens’ Bohol Provincial Federation President Melchor Daniel said, instead of the mandated one week celebration, the senior citizens in the whole Central Visayas- Region 7 has decided to make the whole month of October dedicated to activities for senior citizens.

Tubigon had conducted their senior citizens’ activities last Oct. 8 while Jagna had their own last Oct. 12.

Series of activities will also be held in Ubay and Sierra-Bullones on Oct. 21, while on Oct. 22, in Garcia- Hernandez.

Governor Edgar M. Chatto is a golden boy walking on a silver lining. He is the 25th governor of Bohol at the age of 50.

The culmination of the month-long celebrations will be on October 28 at the JJs Seafoods Village, Tagbilaran City. Invited to grace the occasion is Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Godofreda Arquiza that will deliver her message and updates of the added privileges of an expanded law for the elderly. (EdCom/ VGO)

©Copyright 2006-2010. TheBoholStandard.com

PHILIPPINES: Feel Good With Green Tea

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MANILA, Philippines / Manila Bulletin / Reuters Health / September 19, 2010

Elderly people who drink several cups of green tea a day are less likely to suffer from depression, probably due to a ''feel good'' chemical found in this type of tea, Japanese researchers said.

Several studies have linked drinking green tea to lessening psychological problems and Dr. Kaijun Niu, of Tohoku University Graduate School, and colleagues found men and women aged 70 and older who drank four or more cups of green tea daily were 44 percent less likely to have symptoms of depression.

Green tea is widely consumed in many Asian countries, including China and Japan.

Niu and the team investigated 1,058 relatively healthy elderly men and women. About 34 percent of the men and 39 percent of the women had symptoms of depression, according to the study that was published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

A total of 488 participants said they drank four or more cups of green tea a day, 284 said they downed two to three cups daily and the rest reported having one or fewer cups daily.

According to the researchers, the apparent effect of drinking more green tea on alleviating symptoms of depression did not fade after they factored in social and economic status, gender, diet, history of medical problems and use of antidepressants.

By contrast, there was no association between consumption of black or oolong tea, or coffee, and lower symptoms of depression.

A green tea component, the amino acid theanine, which is thought to have a tranquillising effect on the brain, may explain the ''potentially beneficial effect'' shown in the current study, Niu noted in an email to Reuters Health.

However, further studies are needed to confirm whether greater green tea intake actually has antidepressant effects, the researchers said.

© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters

PHILIPPINES: When people forget their own memories

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MANILA, Philippines / The Philippine Star / Science & Technology / September 2, 2010

FACT: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) became more common due to the prolonged life expectancy of human beings. Contrary to the notion that people’s lives have considerably shortened due to pollution, artificial preservatives and junk food, human life expectancy has actually been lengthened because of modern medicine.

This was according to Dr. Michelle Anlacan of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines (ADAP). “Living longer, however, has made humans more prone to neurodegenerative diseases like dementia,” she said. This is where the ADAP comes in.

ADAP is an organization composed of persons with dementia and their family caregivers, dedicated doctors, medical professionals and others involved in the care of patients.

It has educational programs and support services that help the patients cope with the disease, and the families cope with the patient.

The family and caregivers will especially need the support and proper education on how to properly treat, care, manage and interact with the AD patient.

ADAP also makes efforts in educating healthcare workers all over the country about the disease. Wherever patients may be, there will always be a reliable health specialist they can consult with.

It also aims to raise public awareness about dementia. Extending the proper information about Alzheimer’s disease to the general public will help even people who are not familiar with dementia properly handle a situation when they encounter one. A well-informed public will also lose any prejudices they have of AD patients.

Elderly people already need special care due to their age. With Alzheimer’s disease, they will need even more special care. It is for this reason that ADAP also advocates quality care for the elderly.

Having superior care facilities for the elderly widely available will contribute greatly to optimizing the lives of the patients and their families.

Lastly, ADAP also supports research for scientific advancements in dementia care and treatment. “The organization strives to relieve the world of this disease. If there is a possibility that dementia can ultimately be cured, we surely want to have a part in it,” said Anlacan.

“At the very least, we want to contribute in making the disease more manageable,” she added.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines, a multinational pharmaceutical corporation, supports ADAP in providing quality healthcare to the patients.

Dealing with persons with dementia can be difficult. It requires lot of patience. Difficult as it may be especially for the people who are around the patient, they must learn to understand that the patients themselves are suffering more from the disease than they are. They already forget their own memories; they themselves should not be forgotten.

Copyright © 2010. Philstar

PHILIPPINES: Centenarian Day - Sept 25 - will honour Filipinos who live to 100

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MANILA, Philippines / Manila Standard Today / Business / August 30, 2010

Live a hundred

By Dr. Emiliano T. Hudtohan

The proposed House Bill 834 motivates senior citizens to live a hundred years. This bill will also honor and grant benefits to Filipino centenarians on Sept. 25, which has been proposed to be Centenarian Day.

Indeed, we must honor our centenarians because even when they have retired early (and permanently retired in many institutions at age 70), they continue to peak and remain productive.

I know of three senior citizens who are active members of society, as they journey toward their centenary.


Septuagenarian engineer
Br. Crisanto Moreno FSC is 75 years old and the oldest living Filipino De La Salle Brother in the Philippines. Though retired, he is authorized to sign checks of De La Salle University, and continues to look after the many buildings of the De La Salle Philippines Inc., many of which were built under his supervision. He also continues to practice his profession as a civil engineer-consultant of non-De La Salle schools in order to build up an educational fund for the young Brothers.

In 2009, he was honored by La Salle Greenhills for his architectural concept and design as building engineer-in-charge of the construction of St. Benilde Gymnasium, a landmark likened to Araneta Coliseum. This gym was the historic site of the Namfrel count during the 1986 snap election and of late, the venue of the wake of President Corazon Aquino.

Born in Oton, Iloilo, Br. Cris has a sister who is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul de Chartres. Br. Cris, his sister and their other siblings manage the Maria Mediodia Moreno Foundation, which has become a channel of the Moreno Christian charitable and social responsibility projects.

Octogenarian supervisor
Eugenia “Gene” Agravante is an 81-year-old supervisor of the San Antonio Community School at Singalong. She travels everyday from Antipolo to Manila to be with Alma del Mar, Gina Ferreras and Cynthia Batungbakal as they teach some 300 nursery pupils in two sessions.

According to Gene, she got involved with the school in 1998 as a social worker of St. Scholastica’s College and as a catechist and family planning advocate of St. Anthony parish church. It was Sr. Francoise of St. Paul who founded the school in 1973 and later turned it over to St. Scholastica’s College. The school then had a feeding program, catechism classes, and rosary circle with bible study.

From Gene’s socio-religious experience, she later broke her “culture of silence” by actively teaching human rights anchored on biblical principles. Today, she dreams of becoming a lawyer to help defend the poor and the oppressed.

Nonagenarian directress
Mamang Luz, my mother, is 94 years old and she is the directress-proprietress of Haven’s Learning School in Bacolod City. On school days, she stands at the gate of Haven to say, “Good morning” to incoming pre-schoolers. Then she goes back to her room to rest and by noontime she stands again at the gate to bid the pupils goodbye. Two teachers and a registrar-administrator (my youngest sister Jo) help her manage the school she founded in 1993. Jo tells me that our mother still observes her teachers, and she sometimes takes over the class to demonstrate her time-tested methods.

She holds an elementary teacher certificate and is a master of arts in teaching elementary agriculture graduate. She retired from the public school with a rank of principal 3. Her love for teaching and passion for learning inspired me to follow her profession.

I believe her maternal DNA is resilient. Her mom, Ana Profetessa Clavel vda. De Torrecarion (who named me after her husband, Emiliano) died at the age of 88 and her grandmother, Lola “Putot (which means Shortie)” Rodregaso died at the age of 101.

Conclusion
As our nation matures, it is critical that the government does not only provide benefits for the senior citizens discounts and privileges. The Singaporean model has an employment program for the elderly who are still active and productive. RH Bill 834 must create jobs for the elderly, if society expects the elderly to live a hundred years.

It is also my experience that several companies I patronize are sensitive to the needs and requirements of senior citizens. We hope they will continue to propagate programs to honor the senior citizens of the country.

May senior citizens and service providers all
live to be a hundred years old.

Dr. Emiliano T. Hudtohan, the author, teaches at the De La Salle University College of Business. 
E-mail: dr.eth2008@gmail.com

Copyright Manila Standard Today 2005-2009

PHILIPPINES: Aging is never an excuse not to look sexy, declares Carmi, 46

. MANILA, Philippines / The Philippines Star / Lifestyle / Fashion & Beauty / March 17, 2010 She has wowed everyone, stirred attention and inspired a lot of women. Carmi Martin personifies what aging gracefully really means with her body, which is unbelievably sexy. Yes, she’s 46 years old and yet still possesses a 36-25-36 vital statistics. Who wouldn’t flaunt this figure? “I’m confident with my body, and I love being in my 40s because I’ve proven that aging is never an excuse not to look sexy,” Carmi shares. Indeed, she even broke boundaries so she could inspire women to look their best and be more confident. This summer, Carmi is the only celebrity in her 40s wearing a swimsuit — a gold, sequined, cutout maillot — on her much-talked-about billboard along EDSA, Guadalupe. “Honestly, I was hesitant at first,” she says. “I had this feeling that I’m already 46, I don’t want to wear a swimsuit for the billboard. I felt like I was finished with that. But I was convinced because I trust the slimming center that I endorse. I’d like to encourage women and say that even in your 40s, you surely can! Marie France makes it possible,” she says. For 24 years, Marie France has set the bar higher in the slimming industry by introducing the latest, most innovative and highly advanced non-surgical treatments. “Their treatments are the best! My body has always been voluptuous since the ’80s, but as I age, my metabolism has slowed down and I started to get flab,” Carmi says. “I tried exercising, but it wasn’t enough. That’s why it’s important to get professional help with Marie France. I couldn’t achieve my desired body by myself.” So how did she achieve her billboard body? “I really prepared. I knew I could do it. In just three weeks, I’ve effortlessly maintained my 25-inch waistline and my curves. No surgery, no cuts. I love the natural way!” she says. Carmi proves to the world she can. And you can, too. “Start losing excess weight while you’re still young. If you’re growing older, it’s never too late, too. Say, ‘Yes, I can — only at Marie France!’” Call Marie France at 894-BODY (2639), Cebu (032) 233-7637 or Pampanga (045) 961-2981 for a free consultation. Carmi’s favorite Marie France treatments Want to have Carmi’s flaunt-worthy body? Try her secrets and see the results for yourself. • Plasti-Dermi Treatment (PDT) – Breaks down and releases trapped fat cells and helps eliminate excess inches. Carmi says: “My thighs were really my problem area. May bulges talaga. I tried exercising but PDT is the only thing that made them smaller.” • Endermologie (EDM) – FDA-approved for cellulite reduction. It eliminates stubborn fat, trims flab and smoothes out dimpled skin. Carmi says: “I really like this for my tummy. There was a time before my taping that I had Endermologie first and a day after, wow, my tummy was flatter!” • Fat Mobilization System (FMS) – Melts off pounds and helps you burn as much as 2,000 calories in just 25 minutes while you’re comfortably lying down. Carmi says: “I make sure that I regularly undergo FMS so when I wear a swimsuit, it will turn heads. And they’ll see that what’s on the billboard is real!” [rc] Carmi shows how to bring sexy back Be sexy and look fabulous at any age with Carmi’s simple yet very practical tips: FOOD She says YES to / She says NO to Fish and veggies / Too much desserts and soft drinks SLEEPING HABITS She says YES to / She says NO to 7 to 8 hours of sleep / Staying up late DRINKS She says YES to / She says NO to Drinking water / Soft drinks TO BE HAPPY EVERY DAY She says YES to / She says NO to Always be confident / Being dowdy and flabby FOR A BEAUTIFUL BODY She says YES to / She says NO to Having a flat tummy / Bulges TO MAINTAIN MY 25-INCH WAISTLINE She says YES to / She says NO to Regular treatments at Marie France / Being lazy and not having my treatments Copyright © 2009. Philstar

PHILIPPINES: Senior citizens ask for so little

. MAKATI CITY, Philippines / Philippine Daily Inquirer / Viewpoint / February 4, 2010 Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer In relation to poor Filipino senior citizens: The Philippines is the only country in Asia that has no social pension for poor, older people. I am referring to the ones not formally employed when they were younger and thus did not have social security or insurance that they could draw from in their older years. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Viet Nam have some kind of social pension for the elderly poor, says Ed Gerlock, advocacy officer of the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE), a non-government organisation that focuses mainly on the elderly poor. Now comes the much-awaited expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2009 (SBN 3561) which was passed by the Philippine House of Representatives and by the Senate on third reading on Jan. 27, 2010. It is titled “An act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending RA 7432”. Only the signature of President Gloria Arroyo is being awaited. If passed, the Senior Citizens Act would grant senior citizens their entire 20 per cent discount and exempt them from the 12-per cent value-added tax (VAT) provided under the National Internal Revenue Code on the sale of goods and services from all establishments. It is one of the major significant provisions of the act. Senior citizens have been complaining that they have not fully enjoyed the 20-per cent discount because of the VAT. Under the proposed Act, they will be entitled to a 20-per cent discount and exemption from value-added tax on the following: 1. Purchase of medicines, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and such other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health. 2. Professional fees of attending physicians in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care services. 3. Professional fees of licensed professional workers providing home health care services as endorsed by private hospitals or employed through home health care employment agencies. 4. Medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinic and home health care services. Aside from the VAT exemption, there will be exemption from payment of individual income taxes for those considered as minimum wage earners. There will be death benefit assistance of a minimum of 2,000 pesos (about US$50) for the bereaved families, monthly stipends of 500 pesos ($11) for indigents, and senior citizens’ wards will be built in government hospitals. Other benefits for poor SC are free medical and dental services, no diagnostic and laboratory fees in government facilities, full PhilHealth insurance coverage, free anti-flu and anti-pneumonia vaccines and five-percent discount on water and electric bills. These benefits will also ease the burden on poor families who love and care for their elders but who cannot provide for their basic needs. The estimated 54.4 million pesos ($1.18 million) in foregone revenues is really a pittance and should not be considered a loss to the government. Think of society’s gains from improved health care and increased purchasing power that the elderly will have. The foregone revenues should not be a compelling reason to deprive our elders of the quality of life they deserve. Smiling Lola. Photo credit: COSE Last Monday, hundreds of senior citizens braved the heat and marched from Morayta to Mendiola to ask the President not to dilly-dally and sign the expanded Senior Citizens Act. (Two fainted but recovered.) When told that the President will sign the bill on or before Valentine’s Day, COSE’s executive director Francis Cupang said the senior citizens should not be made to wait. “We Filipinos pride ourselves as loving and caring of our elderly,” Cupang said. “Our national policies should reflect this Filipino value. Senior citizens’ interest is of national interest.” He was worried that interest groups might sway the President to do otherwise. Last week, Malacañang (presidential palace) was said to have shown signs of hesitation because exemption from the 12-percent VAT would mean 54.4 million pesos in foregone revenues during the first year of the bill’s implementation. How easily they computed and came up with the figure. Citing National Economic Development Authority figures, Cupang pointed out that of the seven million Filipinos who are over 60 years old, three million live in poverty and 900,000 are “desperately poor.” These senior citizens should not be considered a burden. As COSE has proven through their programs and projects, the poor elderly they have served for 20 years still have much to give by way of services to their communities. Note that COSE means Coalition of Services of the Elderly, with emphasis on “of the elderly” not “for the elderly.” I have visited some communities where COSE-initiated community programs of the elderly operate. COSE started home care services in some Metro Manila communities but these services need to be replicated and institutionalized by local governments. The poor older people have a lot to give to their peers and the younger generation. In COSE areas, the strong work as home care assistants, community gerontologists and peer counselors. Others are fund raisers, organisers and mentors for the young. Many who found themselves alone in the sunset of their lives live together, take care of one another and do something for their neighborhood. Why does the President need to wait for Valentine’s Day to sign the Senior Citizens Act of 2009? [rc] (c)2002 ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PHILIPPINES: Senior citizens now enjoy 20 percent discount on goods and services

. MANILA, Philippines / Manila Bulletin / Lifestyle / January 22, 2010 Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act approved By Hannah L. Torregoza A Congress bicameral conference committee has approved the reconciled version of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) to allow them full enjoyment of the 20 percent discount on basic goods and services. Senator Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice and the bill’s principal author, said the measure was approved Wednesday night by both contingencies from the Senate and the House of Representatives. Sen. Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano is the youngest woman elected in the history of the Philippine Senate. She is a lawyer, triathlete and mother of two. The bicameral report is expected to be submitted for ratification by both houses of Congress next week before it is forwarded to Malacañang for the President’s signature. Twelve-percent VAT exemption of senior citizens will apply to the purchase of medicines and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; and medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees. Likewise, they would also enjoy full discounts on fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, public railways, domestic air transport and other vessels; services in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments; admission fees in cinemas, theaters and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens. Cayetano said senior citizens have long been clamoring for VAT exemption to enable them to fully enjoy the 20 percent senior citizens discounts embodied in the original Senior Citizens Act passed years ago. She said the discount had been effectively reduced to eight percent since seniors are also required to pay the 12 percent VAT in their purchase of medicines and services. Indigent senior citizens will also be entitled to a monthly stipend of P500 which will be subject to a periodic review of Congress in coordination with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD). In case of death of an indigent senior citizen, an amount of P2,000 will also be awarded to his or her nearest kin as death benefit. Under the bill, senior citizens may also enjoy a five percent discount on water and electric bills on the condition that the utilities are named under the senior citizen residing in the household. Consumption for electricity and water should be below 100 kilowatt-hours and 30 cubic meters per month, respectively, to enjoy the discount. Likewise, the measure increases penalties for establishments that refuse to grant senior citizens benefits. Violating establishments including their owners, managers and personnel may be fined a penalty of not less than P10,000 but not more than P50,000, or imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.[rc] Copyright 2010. Manila Bulletin

PHILIPPINES: Sales tax exemption for elderly approved

. MANILA, Philippines / Manila Standard Today / December 27, 2009 By Fel V. Maragay Congress has a special gift for “senior citizens” this Christmas — exemption from the 12-percent value-added tax on their purchase of goods and services. The Senate, before adjourning last week, unanimously approved Senate Bill 7342 that seeks to expand the benefits to senior citizens and “maximize their contributions to nation building.” Senator Pia Cayetano, chairman of the committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, said the bill also mandates the Health Department to provide indigent senior citizens with free vaccination against influenza and death benefit assistance of P2,000 through the Social Welfare Department. Cayetano said the Senate considered two options in upgrading the benefits for senior citizens. The first was increasing the current discount for senior citizens from the present 20 to 30 percent for the payment of goods and services. The second was exemption from the VAT. In the end, the latter was chosen, she said. A similar measure has been passed by the House of Representatives. A bicameral conference committee will convene upon the resumption of the regular session next month to craft a common version of the measure. [rc] Copyright Manila Standard Today 2005-2009

PHILIPPINES: More Senior Citizens Benefit From One-Shot Grant of P500

. QUEZON CITY, Philippines / Philippines Information Service / Social Welfare / October 29, 2009 More senior citizens benefit from Katas ng Vat: Para kay Lolo at Lola By Leah T. Quintana, DSWD-Caraga BUTUAN CITY - More senior citizens have benefited from the government’s Katas ng Vat: Para kay Lolo at Lola implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Department has continued the one-shot provision of P500 to senior citizens taken from the collection of the oil value added tax. Implemented nationwide, the program requires that beneficiaries must be 70 years old and above, dependent or belonging to a family whose income is within or below the poverty threshold per are and not covered by any private and/or government agency retirement benefit like SSS, GSIS, PVAO. The guideline also provides that a ratio of one beneficiary per family shall be followed. The claimant, according to DSWD Caraga Director Mercedita P. Jabagat, shall present a valid identification card (OSCA ID, etc.) that indicates the birth date of the senior citizen, for validation purposes or a certification from the barangay captain as to the age of the senior citizen. In case the claimant is an authorized representative of the senior citizen, Jabagat said, he/she shall present the valid ID of the claimant and authorization letter attested by the senior citizen beneficiary. Last year, a total of 9,632 senior citizens received the P500. For this year, DSWD Caraga has distributed this October to 2,612 senior citizens from Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Another 2,312 beneficiaries from Butuan City will get the P500 on November 4, 2009. As of this report, a total of P6,122,000.00 has been released by DSWD to senior citizens. [rc] Copyright © 2005 Philippine Information Agency

PHILIPPINES: A kiss is never just a kiss

. MANILA, Philippines / The Philippine Star / Lifestyle Features / Sunday Life / October 4, 2009 A kiss is never just a kiss Sunday Life A COMMITMENT By Tingting Cojuangco, The Philippine Star It’s 3 a.m. and I still don’t know what to write about for today’s deadline. I had originally written, “You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply as time goes by…” As I scribbled more sentences to immortalize a kiss I couldn’t get past the second paragraph, after realizing how giving women are with affection; after a kiss what follows is quite naturally the unexpected because a kiss is never just a kiss. In 1996, Life magazine wrote that Thomas Edison gave Hollywood its first 30 seconds of silent footage with a kiss that critics called disgusting. Photographer Stephen Wilkes captured the moment with 200 pictures. Given that technology, a movie kiss that required a nose in its proper would have been the least of Wilkes’ worries on the set of Romeo and Juliet starring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCarpio. Danes whispered to DiCarpio, “This is so bizarre.” Because 23 kisses were required by the camera. DiCarpio would giggle and Danes would feel his lips trembling, so she’d laugh, too. In fact she commented, “When you really kiss someone you never know where it’s going to go. But if it’s scripted at some point the director calls ‘Cut’ and it’s the end of the kiss.” In Hollywood a kiss that looks amorous could be just a professional kiss, another day at the office. Apparently it confirms what Shakespeare said: “Everything is more about language.” And kissing on the lips is a craft, meaning striking an aesthetic pose without getting one’s nose in the way. I kiss the petal of a red rose. My touch can’t be gentler than the dew but I feel its tenderness and brush it against my cheek; it’s softer than the brush I use for my blusher, and I place it in my hair for some romantic allure. Its smoothness reminds me of silk fiber, Chinese silk, constructed by worms from their kisses that made cocoons for a concubine’s robe. Her loose, wide silk sleeves fall just below her shoulders ready for two kisses on her barest white shoulders. A kiss? You shouldn’t be surprised that in India just to touch the nose, mouth or cheek of another and inhale is a unique customary kiss in their southern areas. That’s the way some elder women from Paniqui, Tarlac kiss me. Also in India, from ancient writings one reads that the practice of kissing begun as early as 200 BC. Herodotus, the early Greek historian, revealed that among Persians of equal rank men would kiss one another on the mouth. The “Unequals” greeted each other on both cheeks. Hebrew history refers to “Esan falling on the neck(!) of his brother Jacob and kissing him.” There’s a kiss of death and a kiss of peace. The kiss of death was a term attached to a fatal relationship. Presumably it originated from Judas Iscariot, Christ’s apostle who kissed Christ to identify him before that infamous arrest. But there is also a holy Kiss of Peace that early Christians used to salute fellow Christians. The gesture has become part of our Holy Mass as we greet strangers with “Peace be with you.” A kiss. The eyes begin to say it all — but my eyes are shut trying to take in sleep as I build castles in the air. When you’re day- or night-dreaming it’s safer to keep your eyes shut to leave everybody clueless about what’s on your mind. Tingting Cojuangco w/ grandchildren March 29, 2007 Photo by Carlo Carlos When I was unconsciously more demonstrative while thinking, I wound my hair between my fingertips and Peping would say, “You’re thinking again.” So I shut my eyes instead. I’ve thought about redecorating the house but that’s taboo with Peping, who wants to save it for my single daughter’s future, innovative learning lessons in college. Tonight it’s an image of a gentle touch on a person’s face that could be more tender than a sexual kiss. Can you imagine two galaxies meeting and locked in a cosmic waltz? The dormant exposed; the irresistible turns into a gravitational force; and the galaxies merge to become one in a dance of celebration. Those are just random thoughts because I want men to realize a woman needs tenderness there; but after all, it’s a two-way street. “A man must have his mate, that no one can deny… It’s still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, a case of do or die… The world will always welcome lovers as time goes by…” Whether it be a sniff of the cheek, a kiss on two cheeks or a smack on two lips, kissing a baby’s skin is ever so tempting and easy to abuse. My two-year-old grandson Renzo, before he began to walk gingerly away from me and learned to shake his head to signify “no,” could be easily cuddled. I could turn his neck backward and fill his throat with kisses. I can’t do that now, as he runs away; so I lunge at him for a swift grab — never too gentle, of course, because he’s strong and rejects my embraces. I manage though to give him a hard-pressed smack and all too soon he’s struggling away from my hold with a loud cry for help (“Mommy!”) that ends my kisses and leaves my hair disheveled. I go back to fixing it to make sure the red rose is still in its place after that reluctant kiss. It would seemingly be more appropriate for Renzo to say, in a tone of rejection, “Wawa, kiss off.” When Alec was a five-year-old I would kiss his ear and he’d say “Sarap.” I kissed off, and often. Sometimes kisses come without a warning like unforeseen gales and heavy seas, fog and rain, low temperature and blizzards. Be glad; they’re better than none. But kissing is indeed a lady’s choice. The man should wait for his cue. I like kisses. They reverberate with everlasting memories of attachment and satisfaction. A kiss is like a grandfather’s clock with a pendulum that swings back and forth, reminding me of my childhood — from a hurting scrape on my knee and running to Daddy; or complaining about a boyfriend’s call that never came and sharing it with Mommy; to a wedding day’s kiss when a groom makes a bride his; to old age when a kiss can mean security — all these kisses I’d like to hold on my cheeks and feel forever. I’d like my children to remember this trick I played on them when they were younger; you can try it, too. I put a thick layer of lipstick on and I kissed them goodbye while they were asleep every morning. When they would wake up to wash their faces they would laugh to see lipstick marks on their cheeks. They knew then that Mommy kissed them before work. It’s 5:25 in the morning and I’m not yet done, but it’s the best time to communicate with Mai in Florence and send her a kiss via text. Her reply is rather amusing and enlightening: “Thanks, Mommy! We always find a way to justify our birthdays! If I convert to pesos what I buy here in Italy I will starve, stay home, and end up naked and shoeless! I bought a shoe that’s so, so, so simple and so stylish. It’s the eye candy Louboutin. The shoe is called Circus so you can imagine! It’s leather with suede and mesh! Black and gold! I’m 33 today. Almost as old as you! Demi is a Taurus like you and also has a temper! So expressive and likes shiny things too like gold. Like Wawa. She stares at the jewelry that I wear and eats my necklaces!!” It’s 7 a.m. and this is the most time-consuming article I’ve ever written just because of a kiss. When language is a barrier, a kiss can settle everything bleak.[rc] Copyright © 2009. Philstar.