CATBALOGAN CITY — Inside Catbalogan City District Jail, “alyas tito”, 63, sits quietly among his fellow elderly inmates, his voice calm but heavy with reflection. He has been detained for three and a half years under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Once surrounded by the noise of life outside, he now finds meaning in silence—and in rare moments when the world remembers him. “My case is still ongoing, and I have my own attorney,” he said. “My only wish is for this to end soon.”
Yet, amid uncertainty, a new sense of purpose has emerged—sparked by the Elderly Filipino Week celebration held inside the city jail.
Proclamation No. 470 of 1994 establishes Elderly Filipino Week, celebrated from October 1 to 7. The event spotlighted eight elderly Persons Deprived of Liberty (seven men and one woman). Activities included film showings, information drives, health checks, and a finale honoring the senior inmates’ contributions.
“We watched ‘The Lolo and the Kid’ starring Joel Torre. We were really moved by it because it conveyed a good message. Maybe, when we go out, we will adapt it for our grandchildren,” he shared.
Catherine E. Gagatiga, Jail Officer II at the Catbalogan City Jail, said the activities aimed to remind elderly inmates that they are not forgotten. They also coordinated with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs to include elderly inmates in their programs.
“Tito” looked back with regret, recalling how peer pressure and his friends influenced him to join. He felt caught up in their activities and affected by their actions. “When you go with them, you’ll really get involved.”
Through these activities, he learned lessons that he hopes the younger generation can learn from. “Our grandchildren, the kids, see what the elders do, and that’s what they imitate,” he shared. “It means that it’s really up to the elderly to be the eye-openers for our young people.”
The celebration concluded with a simple program that included crowns, tokens, and heartfelt thanks. For the elderly inmates, it was more than just a ceremony; it acknowledged their humanity.
“Even though we are inside, here we experience we are being given a chance, just like the elderly outside,” “tito” said with gratitude. “We are thankful for being recognized.”
Inside Catbalogan’s district jail, Elderly Filipino Week became more than a commemoration — it showed that compassion can exist even in confinement. For “tito”, it was a chance to reflect, find peace, and hope that when he’s free, it will be the kind he’s already begun to find within himself. (By Aaron A. Cotejar, PIA Samar)
