Dr. Conchita L. Manabat l November 6, 2024 l Business Mirror
“The elderly are not a burden, they are a treasure.” —Unknown
“The elderly are not a burden, they are a treasure.” —Unknown
THE Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN) Awards is an annual search for the ten most inspiring and outstanding older persons in the Philippines. The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) started the SUN Awards in 1991 and it has been part of the annual Elderly Filipino Week celebration. This is to honor the important contributions of older persons in the society.
SUN nominees and awardees come from different sectors such as farmers, fisher folks, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, human rights advocates, environmental advocates, and educators. They are ordinary people who, in their own ways have rendered exemplary and notable services to help others and their communities.
To qualify, nominees should be:
- 60 years old and above;
- not multi-awarded and not well-recognized in international or national level; and,
- selflessly rendered life for the service of other people for at least five years.
This year, COSE received 119 nominations from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Thirty-five nominees were shortlisted consisting of 22 female and 13 male. There were two levels of screening followed by validation and final judging. With this year’s awardees, there are now 334 recognized Outstanding Elderlies (Ulirang Nakatatanda).
The 2024 SUN Awardees are:
1. Zenaida R. Barroca, 76 years old from Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental. (Katunggan Patrol Woman, an advocate of marine and environmental conservation, rehabilitation and protection)
2. Susana C. Butobara, 65 years old from Culion, Palawan. (First Day Care Wworker of Baldat, Culion, Palawan, Officer of Mananahing Asosasyon ng Alulad Heritage Inhabitants)
3. Delia F. Camacho, 75 years old from Alvarez, Cavite. (Organizer, Leader & considered Pillar of Sarilaya, GMA Chapter)
4. Maribel H. Cruz, 69 years old from Antipolo City. (Advocate and volunteer in advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities)
5. Adoracion L. delos Santos, 75 years old from Parañaque City. (Actively involved in assisting Persons Deprived of Liberty and their families, part of Ministry of Prisons)
6. Luz M. Docuyanan, 76 years old from Malabon City. (Active volunteer in assisting persons with disabilities)
7. Alicia A. La Torre, 81 years old from Bacnotan, La Union. (Leads the organization Pure and Ubiquitous Seniors Optimistic; fondly called “Lola Basyang” ng Bacnotan)
8. Cristina C. Prado, 96 years old from Malay, Aklan. (Founder of Medalya Milagrosa Association, an organization of devotees of Blessed Virgin Mary)
9. Rosalinda A. Pugsong, 76 years old from Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya. (Started as volunteer for Barangay Health Workers and became Barangay Nutrition Scholar in the 1980’s)
10. Oscar E. Ricafranca, 82 years old from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. (Active advocate for the “Age & Disability Friendly Society” at Mimaropa region particularly in Oriental Mindoro)
With an appropriate program, the outstanding elderlies were awarded on October 6, 2024 at the Children’s Heart Foundation Grand Auditorium, Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City.
COSE’s continuing annual recognition of the Ulirang Nakakatanda not only features model elderlies but more importantly, what the elderly can do for the community.
Age is not an impediment to care for others and the society.
*** Conchita L. Manabat is the president of the Development Center for Finance, a trustee at the University of San Carlos, and San Carlos School of Cebu Inc. She is a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of the Public Interest Oversight Board and she chairs the Advisory Council of the International Association of Financial Executives Institutes. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and the BusinessMirror. Photo from Pinterest.