Finally – A week for our grandparents, our mothers and fathers and all those other people had been forgotten by, well, “old age.”  The Elderly Filipino Week set Oct 1-7, is something that will help us recognize the importance of older persons of our country.

If others find this as a waste of time, then it’s time to state some facts. This celebration will bring benefits not only to the senior citizens but also to the youth. Yes, others may ask what good it has for us, children, especially because it’s “Elderly Filipino Week”. The answers are just simple. The Elderly Filipino Week does have plans that we must know, for everyone.

Elderly people play the role of models for today’s generation. Those who possess the ideal qualities and traits of a Filipino can guide the younger ones. They can teach them to be the persons they should be. Our elderly can be advisers of the children and tell them of some manners they should know. That’s why they should be remembered.

Not just manners but skills, too. The elderly can help enhance the skills and talents of our youth today, plus, they’d love to do it. For some reason, elderly people do enjoy it when others better because of them. We, children, are going to need their opinions, too, since they have enough experience.

The culture of the past won’t just fade in the old guys’ memories. Come on – television and gadgets – we’ve got to take a break. Not only they lure us away from our own traditions but they also have other disadvantages. The Elderly Filipino Week can give us time to listen on details and facts we may not know about our history. Can’t we lend our ears to them and listen about our real culture?

The elderly may sound, well, old but they can actually be “young at heart”! Aside from the heroes of the past, they open our eyes to things we cannot see or believe. Other may think they only speak of nonsense, but actually, the fantasy tales they tell us can give us imaginations. Thanks to this long celebration, children well be able to discover all those stories their grandparents can tell them.

Of course, since it’s called “Elderly Filipino Week”, let’s not forget what it is has for the older persons of the country. The celebration helps us recognize their contribution in nation-building and also addresses their needs. This may not sound like a benefit to you but are you sure you don’t want to share what you have with the elderly, just as they would to you? After all, they did do something on their youth.

The elderly people are the pride of our country before and they are, still, even today. Why forget what they’ve done when you can remember and help them up? Even today’s generation will need some guide. Besides, what are we without them, right?

After all, age never matters when it comes to helping each other and standing together as one.

The article, written to celebrate last week’s global celebration to honor the elderly,  was adjudged first place in elementary level editorial writing in the Division of Negros Occidental Schools Press Conference held in Victorias City last week. The writer is a pupil of Victorias Elementary School.

hool.