It was a hot and humid afternoon but they were all there. Ladies in different shades of black and gray, men clad in white polo shirts with caps to cover their baldness; they all went to the Marikina City Hall’s quadrangle to attend the first Mini- Convention for seniors entitled “Mga Pagbabago...Sa Paglipas Ng Panahon”.
When I gave the talk on Physiologic Changes of Aging, they intently listened although after 30 minutes I saw some of them with drooping eyes and others really sleeping right in front of me. But what’s really moving is to see 81 yrs old and above smiling and looking at me as if attentively listening. It made me think of myself 40 or 50 years from now. What kind of LOLA will I be?
Dr. Tricia Bautista gave a good workshop on dementia screening and test for sensory functions. Thanks to the UST Department of Family Medicine who brought their Wellness Caravan to Marikina for the event. The presence of several health care groups also made the activity alive. The Home Health Care conducted a mind game with influenza and pneumonia vaccines offered at discounted prices. Thanks to the ever supportive Dr. Jean Guno. MSD did a bone densitometry screening to check for osteoporosis which surprised my father-in-law whom we found out to have osteoporosis, he thought only women can have the disease. Nestle (Nutren products) did nutritional assessment.
Mayor MC Fernando graced the event as head of the City Womens Council of Marikina. I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to Ms. Mel David and Mdm. Letty Cabungcal for inviting me to this affair. It was fun rubbing elbows with ‘the’ MCF of Marikina. I was happy though when she said “ Let’s do this on a regular basis.” Way to go Marikenos! To think that I am only married to a Marikeno!
