THE senior citizens at the manamko’ center celebrated Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with dancing, games and laughter.
The NMI Women of Destiny provided free haircuts, make-up, and hairdos to the senior citizens.
“I do not have a special someone to spend the day with but with this activity I feel happy and special,” Lilly Alcantara told Variety in an interview.
She said her husband passed away recently but thanks to the presence of other senior citizens, she did not feel alone.
Cynthia Attao, a staff member of the manamko’ center and a senior citizen herself, said: “We feel very happy. The joy that we feel makes us emotionally strong which is good for our health.”
During the Valentine’s Day program, food was served and games such as the limbo dance and pop-the-balloon were played.
Office on Aging Director Walter Manglona said during the pandemic, his office took extra precautions to ensure the safety of the senior citizens.
“We made sure that we limit the number of people that came in and we made sure that proper hygiene was practiced such as handwashing whenever the elders got together,” he said.
Manglona noted that the senior citizens who gather at the manamko’ center are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
“Today, we feel that we are in a better place compared to a few years back,” he said.
He said he and his team continue to create programs that will better the emotional, physical and social well-being of the elderly.
“This Valentine’s Day is extra special,” he added. “You can truly feel the love and joy in the air. Our program aims to encourage healthy relationships within our members as well as promote positivity. It is something that the younger generation in the community should see and learn from our elders.”
Manglona expressed his gratitude to the members of the community and partner agencies that support the manamko’ and made the Valentine’s Day program a success. These included the NMI Women of Destiny, Lorraine Ada and Grace Sablan.
“They have always been there to support and help our manamko’ and I would like to thank them wholeheartedly for the genuine care they give to our elderly,” he said.
Senior citizens pose for a photo during the Valentine’s Day celebration at the manamko’ center on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Senior citizens perform the limbo dance during the Valentine’s Day celebration at the manamko’ center on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
