GUIMARAS – My grandfather, Jose Gandecela, who we dearly call “Tatay Jose”, is 90 years old from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. So far, he is a life champion and the oldest Alternative Learning System (ALS) exam passer in the region.

Life, however, is not that easy for Tatay Jose. Just like other successful people, Tatay Jose also went through some obstacles and struggles before reaching his dream.

A week before his exam, Nanay Ika, Tatay Jose’s beloved wife had passed away. We were sudden of the bad news reached to us. That was one of the hardest moments in our lives. I just can’t fathom how brokenhearted my Lolo was during that time but he didn’t succumb to sorrow and pursued the final stage of receiving a high school diploma.

Difficulty in hearing was also one of his challenges when he attended his classes every Saturday. Instead of focusing on the negative impact of his disability, he devoted his time in understanding every lesson that he learned. With the guidance of his ALS instructor, assistance rendered by my aunts who are also teachers, and sharpness of mind sustained through answering crosswords puzzles all throughout the years, he was able to finish his schooling.

PUBLIC SERVICE

My aunt once told me that when she and my mother were studying high school in Iloilo City, Tatay Jose really wanted to enroll in the night class. As much as he wanted to materialize his plan, the situation won’t permit for he was staying with his family in Guimaras and was also dedicated in serving his constituents as a punong barangay for several terms.

PROUD GRANDCHILDREN

“Through his story, I can testify that it’s never too late for us in making our dreams come true as long as we believe in ourselves, and have faith in God. There might be instances that will weaken our spirits but God will not let us experience something that we can’t handle,” says Caloy Dulla

, one of his 17 grandchildren, who is also working in social service.

The Gandecela family is very proud of their lolo for they have witnessed how determined their grandfather was in realizing this goal despite the struggles he experienced.

ELDERLY MONTH

October is considered as Elderly Month wherein senior citizens are given weeklong celebration to celebrate their Elderly Filipino Week (EFW) particularly this October 1-7, 2018.

DSWD leads the celebration along with other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and senior citizen associations.

Presidential Proclamation No. 470 mandates the annual celebration of EFW or Linggo ng Nakatatandang Filipino every first week of October to emphasize the important role of our elders.

This year’s theme, “Pagkilala sa Kakayahan, Ambag at Paglahok ng mga Nakatatanda sa Lipunan”, aims to give recognition to older persons for their valuable contribution to society.

As part of the annual EFW celebration, the first Sunday of October is also declared as National Respect for Centenarians Day during which, all Filipinos who have turned centenarian in the current fiscal year will be awarded a plaque of recognition and a cash incentive by their respective city or municipal governments in appropriate ceremonies. They will also receive a Letter of Felicitation and a centenarian gift each.

This is in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 which states that all Filipinos, who have reached 100 years old and above, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity; and a Centenarian gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000).

In the region, around 33 senior citizens will receive their centenarian gifts./dswd6//MGC with reports from Caloy Dulla