A day with lolos & lolas

Here is part of my journal entry this past December.

It’s two days before Christmas.

As I write this, I am in the car on the way to the Christmas party of my webshow, www.parenTin.tv of which I am the creative director and host. I had just come from a meaningful morning activity — a visit to the Emmaus House of Apostolate in Malolos Bulacan. Bayan Productions (producer of Magandang Gabi, Bayan and currently, the award-winning shows Trip na Trip, Urban Zone and Kabuhayang Swak na Swak formerly hosted by Amy Perez and now hosted by Bobby Yan and yours truly). Since the MGB days, Bayan Prod has chosen to spend its Christmas party at the Emmaus. Today, I met the 77 lolos and lolas, the tatays and nanays, all being cared for by Fr. Ricardo Morada and a very dedicated and passionate lady whom they fondly call Ate Seng. My fave is Lola “Marimar” who at her old age… my guess is that she is in her 70s (but she claims she is only 44) shows the joie d vivre’ — zest for life — as if she is only a giddy teen. I met Lolo Sam (Uncle Sam) and he gamely sang “Tayo na sa Antipolo… pumunta sa Divisoria” which he proudly said is his own version of the famous song.

The Emmaus adopts abandoned and sickly elderly folks, those found sleeping and living in the streets, wandering aimlessly. A word of caution: Lolas and lolos who still have families to take care of them will not be accepted in Emmaus.

That’s the job of a hired caregiver. Ate Seng who has been an apostolate for 26 years tells me that they turn down requests from moneyed families that offer to “drop off” their old ulyanin or makulit parents in exchange for money or monthly donation to Emmaus. Ate Seng adds that their true calling is taking care of homeless elderlies.

My Bayan Productions Family: Bobby Yan, Franzen Fajardo, Katherine de Castro, Ate Seng, Fr. Ricardo and (seated) Tita Arlene Sinsuat de Castro

I’m thankful I’m now part of Bayan Productions’ family, and thus had this wonderful chance to visit Emmaus. Thanks, too, to JS Unitrade, makers of EQ Diaper for the Caress Adult Diapers that you donated to Emmaus.

During my morning show days, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Golden Acres in QC a few times. We would entertain the oldies, give food and gifts.

But I must confess, visits to the Lolos and Lolas always makes me sad. Many of them are just waiting for their “boarding time and departure.” I listen to their stories of pain and abandonment. And I dread the thought of suffering the same fate. I wish my children will take care of me and Julius till the very end.

This is also the reason why, I honestly prefer visiting orphanages rather than homes for the elderly. The latter depresses me. On the other hand, children at the orphanages, no matter how painful or ugly their personal tales are, still have the happy vibe. Well, children are children — their innocence, laughter and simple joys make me happy and inspire me. I help out the children of Shepherd of the Hills Orphanage, Bantay Bata and World Vision.

So if you are looking for a place where you can donate your holiday gifts, money or the Aguinaldo you got from your ninongs and ninangs, you might want to consider sharing it with either Emmaus (contact persons are Fr. Ricardo and Ate Seng with tel. no. 0922-2089129), Bantay Bata, World Vision or Shepherd of the Hills (www.shepherdofthehills.com.ph)

They say, always count your blessing. True. Share your blessing as often as you count them.

Hope you had a meaningful Christmas celebrating the Birth of Our Savior Jesus.

And I pray that the new year brings you more blessings so that you’ll have plenty to share with our countrymen.