All roads led to the Bohol Cultural Center early morning of October 10, 2016, with almost all city-based senior citizens from all walks of life excitedly rushing in to get the first best seats at the venue of the culmination program for the 2016 National Elderly Filipino Week celebration.

This year’s theme is “Pagmamahal at Respeto ng mga Nakababata, Nakapapaligaya sa mga Nakatatanda.”

The Proclamation No. 470 of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos which was signed on September 26, 1994 declares the first week of October of every year as Linggong Katandaang Filipino (Elderly Filipino Week).  This proclamation mandates the DSWD, DOH, DILG and the Coalition of Services (COSE) to coordinate with and provide the necessary assistance to the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP), a non-government organization with nationwide machinery for carrying out the activities for the week.

The Tagbilaran City FSCAP for 2016 – 2019 are  Esperanza E.  Bruñidor – President; Wellibrado S.Bersaluna – Vice President;   Crescencia B. Remoreras – Secretary; Andres L.  Dano – Treasurer; Engr. Lupicina F. Halasan – Auditor; Evangelina N. Alberca and Fely G. Onque – PROs.

Members of the Board:  Alfredo B. Angalot, Feliberto D. Buhion, Roberto R. Ighot, Antonio T. Lungay, Ma. Luz Quiobe, Guilberto B. Reyson, Jr., Gil O. Sanchez, Kag. Salome A. Vitorillo and Niceto A. Zamora.

In consonance with the proclamation No. 470, coupled with his devoted concern for the senior citizens, City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, II convened with all the CFSCAP officers and members of the Board headed by Bruñidor; OSCA staff headed by Mrs. E. S. Leyble; CSWD staff headed by Dr. T. Q. Villafuerte and the City Mayor’s office staff headed by Mr. Matthew Nemenzo on September 13, 2016 to ensure that all activities from October 1 – 7 would be well-coordinated and well-participated in by the 9,168 federated seniors of the 15 barangays and one subdivision chapter of this city.  He allotted more than enough financial assistance for the transportation, food accommodation and prizes for the seven days celebration.

With God’s blessings and with Mayor “Baba” Yap’s whole hearted support, triggered by the dynamic cooperation of CFSCAP, OSCA, CSWD and City Mayor’s staff, plus the enthusiastic participation of the senior citizens present, the culmination program on October 10, 2016 was indeed an affair to remember.

Who could forget the “Kuratsa” of the working committee members; the uplifting presence and messages of the three (3) “Magi”, Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto; First District Cong. Rene L. Relampagos thru his representative, Engr. Archie Lungay, and the announcements of the City Mayor of the different programs for the benefit of the city federated senior citizens, the most recent of which is the plan to establish a city physical therapy free clinic for the seniors.  This announcement elicited a resounding applause from the audience.

The symposium, likewise, cannot be forgotten.  The panel of discussants were Mayor “Baba” Yap, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Matt Nemenzo; CFSCAP President Bruñidor and OSCA Head, Leyble. During the open forum, moderated by Veep Bersaluna, the questions and requests of the audience were respectfully answered by Mayor Baba himself, together with the other discussants.  Bruñidor further announced that there are now three centenarians in Tagbilaran City who are qualified to receive P100,000 if they can submit authenticated supporting documents.

Who else too, could ever forget the well-distributed food by the CSWDO and OSCA Staff; the zumba sessions; the “hot” modern dances which came alive at the dance hall during the afternoon jam-sessions, and the happy bonding of all the federated seniors present until 3 p.m. that day?

Generally, all that were started well from October 1 up to October 10, 2016 celebration also ended well.

Ladies of ceremony of the day were Evangelina N. Alberca and Fely G. Onque. (FGO / ESL)