The Elderly Filipino Week was celebrated in spectra of colorful dresses, fancy costumes and endless musical numbers from participants in Region IV-MIMAROPA, October 24, 2013 at Atrium Hotel Makati, City.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IV-MIMAROPA conducted the 5th Ulirang Nakatatanda Awards 2013 – an award-giving body that recognizes the contributions of the Senior Citizens in the region to their respective community. As a small contribution of the department in the celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week, Ulirang Nakatatanda was created back in 2008. It is composed of four categories, namely: Basic Sector, Professional, Government Service Category and Group Category.
The process of selection was done through series of background check, paper validations and a panel interview with the shortlisted candidates. The panel is consisted of participants from partner agencies such as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA). At the end, the members of the panel will deliberate to choose a winner.
This year, Palawan was one of the greatest contenders as 3 of the winners came from their province, they are: Leonila Buenavista (Aborlan, Palawan) Basic Sector; Editha Feria (Bataraza, Palawan) Professional Category; Rio Tuba Senior Citizen Association (Rio Tuba, Palawan) Group Category. On the other hand, Rodolfo Pacia of Occidental Mindoro won the Goverment Service Category.
One Voice Collective Action
The awards night was capped with a message from the Regional Director, Wilma D. Naviamos with words of encouragement encapsulated in her phrase “One voice, collective action”. Her words befit the theme of this year’s Elderly week, Nakatatanda: Pagtulungang Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Maginhawa at Masayang Pamayanan. It is a call to all sectors of the Filipino community to exert a concerted effort in advancing the welfare of the Elderly. In the face of the current time where political adversities and societal disputes are battling our nation, it is of utmost importance that Filipinos have unified effort in providing support to our seniors.
