Ligao’s 2014 Elderly Filipino Week highlights healthy lifestyle of senior citizens

Guest speaker Blesila Belmas, RND shares tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

More than 700 senior citizens gathered at Ligao City Gymnasium to celebrate the Senior Citizen Day on 8 October as part of the annual Elderly Filipino Week sponsored by the City Government of Ligao. With a theme “Nakakatanda ay Yaman, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan, Pangalagaan Kanilang Karapatan” [loose translation: Senior Citizens: Society’s Treasures and Partners of Development; Protect thy Rights], the Elderly Week highlights the preservation of good health and nutrition of senior citizens.

Registered Nutritionist Dietitian Blesila Bermas and guest speaker for the event, shared several tips on how senior citizens can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Included in her presentation are the following:

• Observe a proper Diet. Elders should maintain a balanced diet following the “Go, Glow, and Grow” nutrition curriculum
• Choose white meat over red meat. Elders should prefer fish, chicken instead of pork and beef.
• Drink non-fat milk- Non-fat milk (e.g. Anlene) is best for senior citizen to keep their bones strong.
• Exercise. Aside from healthy foods, Belmas advises senior citizens to exercise regularly.
• Maintain medication. Most elders take in maintenance medication for certain illnesses that comes with age such as Hypertension. Belmas suggests that they should take these medicines religiously as prescribed by the doctor.
• Do what the doctor says. Elders should have regular checkups with their doctors to monitor their health.
• "Find humor in little things; choose to be happy". It pays to have a positive disposition. Despite everyday challenges and health problems, elders should take some time off and have a laugh from time to time. 
• Join a group or create a circle of friends. A group of friends helps elders fill in their need for belongingness and maintain a good social life. 
• Find your purpose. Finding a niche gives elders a sense of direction and purpose in their senior years.

Belmas also discussed several issues that people come across as they reach the age of 60 and above, or belong to the category of Senior Citizens. Awareness to these issues can help them understand themselves as they go through the aging process.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING OLD? Belmas discussed issues that elders go through in their senior years.

Dr. Julian Salazar Jr., Ligao City’s medical consultant for senior citizens, said that elders are more prone to malnutrition than children. Hence, they need special attention to achieve adequate health care.

The Elderly Filipino Week is an annual celebration prepared by the City Government for the senior citizens of Ligao. The program is the City’s way of recognizing the senior citizens as an important sector of the society, said Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua. Dr. Salazar also believes that Ligao is the only city in Albay with a robust program for senior citizens.

Through the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, senior citizens can purchase medicines with 20% discount, 5% discount for commodities, and 5% discount for water and electricity bills. The City Government also provides free medical checkups for senior citizens and P2,000 as burial assistance, said Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua.

As a tradition, the City Government awards senior citizens who reach the age of 100. This year, Lola Nacional Divinaflor, aged 103, was awarded as the Oldest Senior Citizen of Ligao. Additionally, Dr. Salazar led the distribution of canes to the senior citizens.

Left photo: 103-year old Nacional Divinaflor was awarded as the Oldest Senior Citizen in Ligao. Top right photo: Dr. Julian Salazar Jr. (middle) led the distribution of canes to senior citizens. Bottom right photo: Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez (extreme left) gave cash gifts to senior citizens.

To add more fun to the event, Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez sponsored an impromptu dance competition. Senior citizens showcased their dancing skills as they groove in to the Pantomina and Cha-Cha music. Winners received a cash prize of P1,000 (1st Place), P500 (2nd Place), and P300 (Consolation prize).

Senior Citizens also received cash gift worth P200 from Congressman Gonzalez, while the City Welfare and Development Office distributed grocery packages.

Written by Lala Peñafiel