'Lola Techie' urges senior citizens to be IT savvy

MANILA, Philippines - Local television personality Tessie "Lola Techie" Moreno is urging senior citizens to use information technology to spread their "elderly wisdom" especially among the young.

The Information and Communications Technology Office of the DOST (DOST-ICTO) has tapped Moreno to give talks to senior citizens in various barangays in Quezon City as part of the celebration of the national ICT Month 2013 with the theme "Inclusive ICT for a Smarter Philippines".

As part of its program, the DOST-ICTO through the National Computer Institute (NCI) is conducting basic computer literacy courses specifically designed for senior citizens. The program is focused on communication tools particularly social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype.

Moreno, a 71-year-old grandmother, known for her role as a computer-savvy lola in a series of television commercials and viral videos with local telecom operator Bayantel, told the elderly on how they can improve their lives using IT as she shared her real life experiences in learning how to use technology, and how it has made her to be more productive despite learning how to use it at an advanced age.  

In her talk, Moreno said that there is a next generation of the elderly who are catching up in the use of ICT.  

"ICT can open up opportunities to enable us to use our collective elderly wisdom to contribute once more to society," Moreno said. "Through ICT, we can warn the new generation not to commit the same mistakes again as we did in our time, offer some solutions by actually showing them how, through our loving example, and advocate for reforms through social media, blogging and email campaigns."

For Lola Techie, the availability of "Skype" breaks the barrier of distance in talking face-to-face with her children and grandchildren.

Yet Google helps her in doing important researches. While Facebook and other social networking services like Twitter, Plurk and Multiply keep her connected with the digital world.

According to DOST-ICTO Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre, by empowering the members of the society, ICT as a true enabler has given Filipinos the tools to realize their dreams and has helped them achieve financial independence.