REFLECTIONS ON THE ACTIVITY

The following are the reflections and learnings drawn by BSEU Uniting

students from the activity with the elders of the Ladies of Charity-Home for

the Aged.

1. Ronnelyn Parohinog

Being unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much

greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing

to eat. - Mother Teresa

I, for once thought of being alone as the scariest event I could get into. But

as time goes by the thought of being forgotten had entered my mind, after

watching a lot of cartoons, drama and movies, with the theme of being

forgotten, an example would be coco.

Short summary of the movie, it is about a boy who had experience the

afterlife. He actually found himself, entering a different world, where he was

able to meet his great- great grandfather who was about to be forgotten

by his daughter. And it was explained on that movie how dead loved ones

vanishes after all their living loved ones forget them.

During the event of giving and laughing with our grandmothers in Ladies of

Charity-Home for the aged. The movie that I had mentioned flash through

my mind. It was sad seeing them on that situation. They were forgotten by

their relatives, as if they never existed.

Some has relatives that are actually close by, but never thought of visiting

them. Such a shame to know these situations exist in the Philippines, knowing
Filipinos, are known for being family oriented. It even got me to the point of

asking, how about me? Would someone be willing to take care of me?

It was a fulfilling to visit them, as well as an eye opener, that we cannot

control what will happen to us in the next day? month? year? It was scary

since it is unpredictable. What I can do today is forget about worrying about

the future and do what I can in the present.

2. Liza Delmoro

The Grand Mother is a symbol of caring, heartfelt empathy, love,

protection, understanding, and the power of mature feminine widom.True

compassion is a gift from the divine. Whoever is graced by it, is released

from suffering. The heart can't help but open itself to compassion's touch

and reflect love back in gratitude. This power exists within you. Allow it to

reveal itself. Whether you are a man o a woman, turn to cherish the female

energies inside. In your life in which you may help others recognize their self-

worth and find a more positive way to live on. True gratitude and love

spreads like a wildfire.

3. Jannah Lausa

Today, let’s give our very best when doing something to mankind,

especially to our family. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. What

is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes

(James 4:14). Believe, the law of harvest. Is to reap more than you sow.
Everything you do, everything you say, every choice you make, sooner or

later what comes around, goes around.

Always love your family, no matter what, especially your parents (Ephesians

6:1-2)

4. Jonalyn Deo Delfin

On November 9, 2019 we are conducted our outreach program at Ladies

Charity Home for the Aged, when I first step inside the Home for the Aged

and saw those old people, I didn’t know if I would feel happy because that

would be my first time going to a Home for the Aged people or would feel

pity for them because their loved ones just left them there thinking that they

are just a burden to their family. When we were asked to approach an

elderly to talk and hear their sentiment in life. I felt an urge to cry but I held

it up and thought that I needed to be strong. They’ve talked about their life

to us and how they ended up in Ladies Charity Home for the Aged. Their

stories were full of emotions, sadness, happiness, anger and pain I didn’t

know how they’ve coped with all of it but I thought that maybe they just

got used to it. I felt their longing love, love that was never given to them by

their children. They need more care and love and that they always bless us

for our future.

5. Rhona Mae Flagne

Helping people always brings a good feeling to me. Seeing their face go

from unhappy and lonely, to their face lighting up with happiness really

makes me feel good. That’s why helping out with the elderly was such a

good experience for me. Helping to Elders of Home for the Aged did many

things for me personally such as gave me a better idea of how to treat my

family when they get older, and it also made me feel really good about

myself. Having people who actually care about the elderly is such a good

thing, but it’s rare. The home that I visit seemed like they were struggling to

get through every day. This isn’t because they were unhealthy, but

unhappy. Most of the elderly living there rarely get to see their families. Either

because they’ve passed away, they don’t have the time, but most often

they just don’t care. The elders just want their families to spend time with

them and visit, but instead they are left there alone for the rest of their lives.

Talking to the elderly taught me so much. I had the chance to learn what

these people’s lives were like before they were placed in these homes, and

what their lives were like when they were young. It was sad for me to listen

to how these people felt about where their own lives were at. I learned a

lot about family and how they really are the most important thing in life, and

how their absence can really affect a loved one. This was a good

experienced for me, I enjoyed it and I hope the elders in Ladies of Charity

Home for the Aged did as well.

6. Paulo Tiu

In today’s time, we could say that only few are those who can take good

care of their grandparents until they wrinkled and got withered through the

age of time. The love of our grandparents since the time we were born until

we grew up is the purest thing I could ever imagine. The elderly in the Ladies

of Charity - Home for the Aged appeared like they were contented and at

ease. They were oblivious of the crucial world we have today and seemed

to be care free which somehow makes me think what If I will also be as care

free as them. They still have the enthusiasm to do the things they wanted to

do and I can see in their eyes the positivity and the love they have for a

long time. They put on that genuine smile on their faces that eventually

captured our hearts. Most of them never get the chance to find their

families and relatives and some seldom get to see and have a visit from the

families who abandoned them due to inability to take care of them. It really

broke my heart knowing that they were left behind by their love ones. I’m

grateful that regardless of the brevity of time that we spend there, they

have felt the love of a family member through us. Conversing with them

gave me a lot of life’s lesson that made me realized that life is indeed short

and we have to make the most of it while we are still here. It saddens me

hearing all of their stories and how they got in the said institution. I know they

somehow feel alone but the love of each one of them is enough to fill the

gaps in their weary soul. They are physically weak but I know they have a

strong will to continue life and face every morning with a smile. I can see
that they have found friendship in each and every one of them. Some may

be forgetful and could barely remember everything but the memories of

the past will always be with them. Seeing the faces of the elders going sunny

and bubbly at the Ladies of Charity - Home for the Aged as we converse to

them made me joyful and somewhat teary. Being there in the said institution

did give me so many realizations. It made me realize that loving and caring

our dear grandparents will really give them motivation to live more. By being

there for them during their fragile days will surely touch their hearts. In spite

of their state of minds, they still managed to smile to us and cheer us up. I

hope we make a difference in their lives during that fateful day. Little did

they know that they made a mark in our lives that will forever be imprinted

in our hearts.

7. Roma Crisostomo

As someone who grow up with her grandparents I was very saddened by

the fact that there are some people who can let their old family member

to be left alone in a Home for the Aged, but sometimes we can't judge

those people by our own perspective in life. Maybe they taught that if they

will leave their old family member/grandparents in that institution they

would be cared and will get the things they need which they can't give to

them. With the time we spent with the grandparents I realize that in life we

should always value the time we spent with our love ones, because we

never know if we will be able to remember them when we get old. I also
learned that a simple act of kindness can make someone happy and feel

loved.

8. Elza Aguihap

The best feeling is when you're happy because you've made somebody

else happy. It's my privilege and honor to be part of this outreach program

because being there and helping our elders is one of the best feelings. It's

heart-breaking. As we we're there we are asked to talk and interview some

elders and we began heart to heart talk to them. As we are sharing I was

being emotional because I saw directly to the eyes of Nanay Zenaida the

sadness, bereavement and eagerness to see and find her own family

especially her son. It touches my heart and felt guilty because I was not

able to visit and talked to my grandmother for almost 2 years because of

some reasons and family natter but I really missed my grandmother.

She told us about her journey in life although she was the youngest among

those elders. She told us she was twice widowed and has only one son on

her first husband and on her second husband she told us she had no

children. She also said that her family did not accept he first husband

because of the eight children he used to have with his deceased wife but

even that tragic happened to her she still continue to love her first husband

even though her first husband already died. Then when her first husband

died she was married again but then her second husband died and left her

in the Home for the Aged for more than 6 years up to the present.
I was able to reflect myself with her because it's so hard to be away from

your own family for a few years because you haven't even hugged and

talked to them personally so while having a good time with your family

especially your grandparents, try to have a happy time when you are

complete and together, we should value, treasure and appreciate their

existence because we never know what will happen in the near future..

9. Ma. Ianna Joy Bornales

When i first step inside the Ladies of the Charity home for the aged and saw

those old people; I didn’t know what I would feel. I didn’t know if I’m happy

because that would be my first time going to a home for the aged people

or would feel pity for them because their loved ones just left them there,

thinking that they are just a burden to their family. When we approach an

elderly to talk and hear their sentiments in life, I felt an urge to cry. But I held

it up and thought that i needed to be strong. They’ve talked about their life

to us and how they ended up in Ladies of Charity. I felt their longing for love,

love that was never given to them by their family. Old people won’t have

much memory to remember things. They need more care and love. I

realised that day that I’m blessed to have my family intact, that I’m with my

grandmother and that we never think of anything that they will end up in

home for the aged. It teaches me to love the elderly people and that they

are not a burden to the family, because once they were like us, and we all

ended up to that someday.

10. Irish Luces

During the visit to the Elders in the Ladies of Charity Homed for the Aged

Brgy. Banica, Roxas City During the visit, I was fortunate enough to talk with

Nanay Remedios one of 10 elders who are living and cared in the Ladies of

Charity Homed for the Aged. I was able to asked some questions to her

regarding her personal life, which she give answer and others which she

forgot already maybe because of her aged. I asked her if, “where she

came from?” and she told me that she came from Tapaz, Capiz. She was

able to work inside the house of one family, living in Roxas City as house

help. She told me also that she never get married because of personal

choice and that she does not have any children, but she have siblings

which are living in Tapaz, Capiz. I asked her also if “how many siblings she

have?” which she told me that she forgot already. In our conversation I was

able to ask Nanay Remedios a question which touch my heart as sibling,

children, student and as an individual. I ask her “Nanay Remedios nahidlaw

kaman sa pamilya mo?” and she answered me “ Oo, nahidlaw man ako

sa pamilya ko.” As a person, all of us wanted a family, a happy family that

always there to support each other no matter what situation we are in. As

a Filipino it is very important to us that we have a close tie with our family

members, and belongingness is what we want with our family. We don’t

want to live alone and far from our family as much as possible, because

living alone and far from them is not easy and simple as it seem. Most

especially our elders, how sad it was, living alone without family member in

their side to take good care of them most especially in time were they
needed them most. Wherein they are in the aged that they needed their

families care and love. They are in the part of their life that strength is not

the same, as it was they used to be before, when they are young and and

productive. Life is unpredictable, we will never know our future, if what will

happen next. Life challenges, happens rapidly and out of our control in a

way that will leave some mark and lesson to us. Time well came that we will

become old and not as helpful just like before, and we will told our self that

we are just like an extra baggage to our family. There’s no such thing as

assurance, that life will be good until the time came wherein the hair in our

head became all grey or white. What well remain in earth, is our deeds, that

the younger generation can attest and remember if it is worth enough to

be remembered. Love is a strong tie that will bond each one of us as family,

as much as we hold and believe on that we will remain together until old

aged. Love our parent, our grandparent our siblings and other family

member, as much as we can so that time well came that no elders we

could see, living far and alone from their family. Without our elders we are

not here in this world also, so try to return what they did for us in every way

that we can. Lastly, I appreciate and respect highly, as a person and

student, those individual that never get tired to take good care of our

elders, most especially those staff of Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged.

Thank you very much, that they are individuals like you who are always

there for our elders, because it is not easy to care elders most especially

that you have your own family as well that needs your attention.

Mabuhay…! GODBLESS US ALL..!

11. Gecille Besana Vasquez

As we visited home for the aged in Banica, I got the chance to personally

encounter our elders who were left by their families to be taken care of by

others. When we had a conversation with one of the elders, Nanay Mila, I

was touched by her story because when she’s still young and capable to

make a living, she did not fail to help her family even though she already

have a family of her own. Now that she’s not able to provide for her family

because of her age, she was not being recognized and even not let her

eat. Good thing, their Brgy. Captain, who is not one of her relatives, helped

her to be in the home for the aged. Now, she is well taken care of in the

institution and can eat three times a day as compared to her life with her

own family. As a human being, we are expected to help and care

especially our own family. It is a moral responsibility that anyone should

practice. We must not count on what we can get in helping them but rather

on what can we give or do to help them especially when they are in need.

If other people could afford to help them, how much more if you are his/her

own family? We must remember that we have a God from above looking

on what we are here on earth. We are thankful for the persons behind this

institution because they are the ones who truly care for our elders without

expecting anything. I am also thankful for the opportunity to be one of the

students who make our elders happy and felt loved during our outreach.
12. Joe Gina Baltero

Old age is a sensitive phase, elderly people need care and comfort to lead

a healthy life without worries and anxiety. Lack of awareness regarding the

changing behavioral patterns in elderly people leads to disclaimed of them

by their family. Home for the aged are all over the world but even in the

best old age home the older people are lost lonely and unhappy. Nobody

not even science can explain the love, bonding and affection between

parent and child. Every parent wants their children to be happy. To obtain

this, our parents works hard for most of their life. When we have grown up

they want us to spend some of our free time with them. But when a parent

is pushed into Home for the aged. They feel very sad. So, I had the privilege

of volunteering at Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged. The elderly where

egger to talk to us. I could see in that moment when we walked into the

building the joy on their faces. Personally, I feel caring for the elderly aids to

self-development. Old-age is a time when they need help in things they

effortlessly do by themselves before. It is a time when they need attention

and affection. Elderly are the truest form of wisdom. They have lived for a

long time- from generations to generations. They teach us respect,

perseverance, wisdom. By being with them and caring for them establish

relationships. Connecting with them we learn to grow. We learn patience

and tolerance by caring for them. Elderly people love to share. Elderly helps

us to see people as well as ourselves differently- in a good way. They teach

us that there is so much more to things as well as people than they appear.

We learn our identity and discover who we really are by being with them.
We are lucky to have what we have now. We should cherish all the things

in our lives, and work hard to make them better. And also, I learned

communicating with elder people is good for all both of us and them. We

have to take care of them when they need help. I hope I can talk more

when I visit the nursing home next time.

13. Erika V. Billones

It is not my first, yet I hope it will not be the last to enter Home for the Aged.

As we get to interact with them specifically to Nanay Trining (though she

hasn't had any child/husband), I realized that there are a lot things to be

thankful for. Living alone doesn't mean that you're unhappy, it means that

you are strong enough to face any problem. Good thing for us is that we

still have our families and friends that we can count on and for her she has

God that she trusts in every way, maybe that's why she is strong physically

and emotionally. She said that she just laugh away her worries and casts

her fears to God so she may endure the challenges of life. Even if we get

old and get wrinkles, we have to continue smiling and believing that

whatever comes, we can endure it so that we attract positive energy. It is

with God that we CAN TRULY gain happiness. I have known from others that

they have families yet no one visits them, how painful it may seem especially

becoming old and weak. How i wish that they may find happiness as well

as the people who takes care of them. I was teary-eyed, yet I had to show

a cheerful face coz they only get to interact with others sometimes. I was

so happy seeing their smiling faces that time, indeed we bring a spark to
their lives even in those little time. But the big impact that I will treasure is the

learning that having strong faith to God is very important, we gain the

biggest friend and the strongest family if we have a relationship WITH HIM.

14. Christine Grace B. Antonio

When we conduct our outreach program at the Home for the Aged i feel

sad seeing those elder that are being left by their families and feel pity to

them that their family thinks that they are a burden to them. But upon talking

to some of the elder and hearing their story on how they came up in that

institution, i feel sorry for them that they experienced those sad and painful

memories. And it hit me that we should always value and loved our families

that are always there to take good care of us, because not all people are

blessed to have a family that would take care of us for the rest of our lives.

Watching those smiles of the elders feels my heart warm that in some of

point of my life i shared and helped them despite the experiences they had

but still they are thankful and have a smile in their face with just a short time

to visit them and giving them some of their needs. I learned a lot upon

visiting them, that we should always love and value our family no matter

what even the time will come that they will be in the stage of getting old

we should be there to care for them because family comes first and be

thankful of what we have.

15. Helen Felera

November 9, 2019 we uniting student sect ion A went to the Home for the

Aged for out outreach program. We meet the elders who stay there for

almost a year because their family can't support and take care of them.

The old elder is 99 years old and the youngest is 67 years old. We were given

a chance to talk the elder about their life why their family left them in the

Home for the Aged. I feltl pain and wanted to cry because I felt the sadness

they feel. Being a part of this outreach program in the Home for the Aged,

such an honor for me because i see the happiness and love to the face of

the elder because Helping and giving them a chance to show the love and

care was really generous and genuine. And we need to love and care of

our love ones when we are together because we don’t even know what

will be happened one day. I learned and realized that when we are young

we should give the time and love what are parents or family need. The

unconditional love they deserve when they are with us. Happiness is what

people always seek. They try to find it in things, positions, wealth and places.

But true happiness is only found in the love of our family, in the care of our

friends, in the contentment of our hearts and most of all with God who is the

center of our lives. Today, let us find joy in every simple thing and see the

beauty in every situation. God made us that way and be a blessing.

16. Jelly B. Villagracia

Last November 9, 2019, we, the BSED Uniting class A of Colegio de la

Purisima Concepcion visited the Home for the Aged run by the Ladies of

Charity at Sunshine Village, Banica, Roxas City.

Upon arriving at the facility, I had a mixed feelings since it was my first time

to do an outreach with the elders. But when the activity starts especially in

the invocation, I feel that God's presence is really with us and He is there to

guide us throughout the activity.

I could feel the heartfelt appreciation of the elders especially when we had

a chance to have a conversation with lola Mila Altamia Yape who said that

she was very thankful that we visited them since some of them were not

visited by their own family.

I realized that we are lucky that we had given a chance to meet these

elderly that we could reflect on different situations of their lives whichever

story will be applicable on us.

At the same time, I am grateful that even for a moment we bring happiness

and joy on their faces.

The activity filled our hearts with love and joy with what we have done for

them. It will always remind us to love and show our care to our grandparents

and parents who gives their best to raise us and to be where we are now.
The activity also showcased the hidden talents of the class and the

cooperation and generosity of our classmates is very commendable as well

as the leadership of the officers.

17. ER Heart Albay

Old age is a time when we need the love and care of our loved ones

most. However, in our country some old people are put in homes for the

aged and are conveniently forgotten by their children. While the

government and other private institutions has built special homes for the

elderly and provides them the care they need, but it is no substitute for one's

own home.

In Ladies of Charity we have had our chance to meet at least one elderly to

talk with. From there I met an 89 years old lady named Trinidad Acat (Nanay

Trining). She was from Brgy. Culasi, Roxas City. She has siblings but

unfortunately are deceased. She has no husband and no children. Only she

has niece/nephews and grandchildren but she chose to stay in the home for

the aged for the reason that she doesn’t want to be a burden to her family.

At that moment, the little ups and downs in my life looked like a small wave

in front of the ocean of her great wisdom. While cursing bad moments of our

life, we forget to appreciate all the good things which we already have. We

blow in the air of negativity to throw out all the positive elements from our life.

She said that she was brought by the family which she taken care during her

younger age and she was so grateful for it. From her we learned to value and
 love your work because of the great and kind things will be rewarded for you.

She also gave as advice to love our family especially our partners to be. We

can see how happy she was during the outreach program as well as to the

other elderly. During that day they don’t feel lonely and weak for they know

even if they were left by their family there are people who cares lot for them.

By the help of the outreach programs they feel that they are really blessed

and given importance. It was a great experience to bring joy to older people.

Everyone will have to face having parents and grandparents growing older

and becoming dependent on their children. Dealing with this situation has

made me a stronger and more caring person.