Antique’s oldies show off their beauties, award outstanding members
SAN JOSE, Antique – The recently concluded Senior Citizens’ Provincial Congress in Liberman Sports Complex, Pandan saw the fairest and the best 60 and up Antiqueños as they held the Search for Señora Guwapa 2008 and awarded the Most Outstanding senior citizens of the province.
With the theme "Nakatatanda: Huwaran at Yaman ng Bayan", the annual congress serves a culminating activity of the Elderly Month Celebration.
In the search for Señora Guwapa 2008, the beauty from Pandan, Mrs. Virginia Ruiz Jantilano won the title. Mrs. Conchita Cardones Gonzales of Tibiao landed as first runner up followed by Mrs. Leonisa Blanco Miras of Sibalom as second runner up. Mrs. Teresa Rubinos Abiera of Tobias Fornier became 3rdrunner up while Mrs.. Mercedes Delos Santos Monterona of Valderrama is the 4thrunner up.
According to Mrs. Celina S. Barcebal, President of Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (PFSCAP), Antique Chapter, the senior citizens here wanted to show that they can still perform and show their talents as well as wear gowns and be glamorous, just like in any other beauty contest.
"Some of them even shed money and bought brand new gowns, and stuff like that," said Barcebal.
On the other hand, Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar Perez headed the powerhouse of the five Most Outstanding Senior Citizens of the province. The lady governor won the award in Public Administration, Atty. Romeo V. Pefianco in journalism, Atty. Bonifacio A. Alentajan in law, Engr. Reynaldo Importante in Engineering and Dr. Aurelio Y. Tating in Education.
Moreover, Barcebal said that there are more or less fifteen thousand registered senior citizens all over the province. She bared that there are even more who registered, especially those 70 plus years old, because PGMA is giving out a one-time P500.00 provincial subsidy of Katas ng VAT Tulong kay Lolo at Lola.
During the said activity, Sec. Esperanza I. Cabral, DSWD, made the initial launching of the P500.00 subsidy to 30 recipients. Barcebal said that there are now a total of 10,797 senior citizens who applied for the said subsidy. However, she added that the list will be revalidated before the amounts will be released as scheduled in each town. The Office of the Senior Citizens Association together with the assistance of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office will be in charge for the release of the said fund. (PIO-Antique)