Senior Citizens in Cebu get holiday treats too

The residents of a home for the aged in Danao City, which is 31 kilometers from Cebu City, received a holiday treat from employees of a mall and members of the Uy family.

Through the Centre of Light program, they received much-needed wheelchairs, blankets, toiletries and goodies.

The facility, which was built in 1973, houses 24 elderly and four among them are bedridden.

Most of the residents, aged 50 years and more, also joined the dance-exercise routine Zumba Sentao led by gym instructor Jenner Keith Maquiling.

Zumba Sentao is performed while participants are sitting down. Maquiling explained that this routine is ideal for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with back problems.

He added that the visit to the center was his third.

"We always go for the kids over old people," said Maquiling, adding that senior citizens are often neglected or forgotten.

The gym instructor said he has a heart for the elderly as he grew up with his grandparents because his parents worked abroad.

"I understand their (senior citizens') tantrums," he added.

Each of the resident has a unique story behind them, said nursing aide Melendrina Ceniza.

One resident, who lived in the streets, was brought to the facility by a call center agent.

Another resident was brought to the center by her daughter. It was not clear though why she had to be interred at the center but she seemed to be contented as she volunteered to sing two songs and recite a proverb.

Lorjelist Llanto, the mall's marketing assistant, said the CSR program was introduced during the holidays.

"We are the center of giving hope, we are the center of light," he said.

"Why not give light to those naglisod karon (people having a difficult time)?" he added.

Llanto also said they hope to return to the facility as well as expand the charity projects of the company. — BAP, GMA News