Now that we’re in between pageants (Miss Universe 2011 just ended and Miss World Philippines 2011 is a couple days away) I have a few moments to relax and tell you all about the Lolos and Lolas I met at Golden Acres in Quezon City last August 27, 2011.
That's me in the orange beanie... with one of the Lolas...
You see, just like many beauty queens, I have a big heart for orphans of all ages and the oldies at Golden Acres are mostly people who have been… well, I guess, left behind. God says in His word that true religion is caring for the orphans and the widows (James 1:27) – Mother Teresa stuff, if you know what I mean. And so I organized a posse of friends to spend one morning with the orphaned and widowed Lolos and Lolas at Golden Acres (the one behind SM North Edsa) to practice “true religion” and to tell them old folks that they have NOT been forgotten nor left behind. That God loves them with all of His heart!!!
The plan: to bring a ‘human spa’ to massage them!
Yep, I texted all my buddies (and even a few volunteers I had not met yet) to ask them if they would share their ‘golden hands’ to massage the oldies at Golden Acres. I was able to round up about 50 friends, including beauty queen Evangeline Pascual (Miss World 1973 1st Runner-up), who joined the posse! Other friends who could not go donated Adult Diapers, Oatmeal and Biscuits etc.
The Spa Time turned out to be a total success!!!
Emcee Glenda Resurreccion holds up the mic for Fitness Expert Noemi Pitargue
My dear friend, Noemi Pitargue, a fitness and wellness expert first warmed up the Lolos and Lolas with some slo-mo aerobics before she took us all through the basics of massage. Each volunteer had the chance to massage about two to three golden oldies.
The one thing that struck me the most about the session with Noemi Pitargue is that she taught us that when you are massaging someone, you must project love from your heart to your hands and onto the person you are touching. That way, she says, you can’t go wrong. WOW! So I tried it – I tried visualizing love flowing through my fingertips and I found the experience to be extremely satisfying and even fun!
Beauty Queen Evangeline Pascual dances with one of the Lolos...
There were three things that touched me the most about our Spa Time with the golden oldies:
1) It was storming that day but almost ALL my committed volunteers showed up! They have golden hands AND golden hearts! So I just want to thank them all for braving the downpour and the traffic just to spend time with the oldies at Golden Acres.
2) One Lola said that nobody has ever come to Golden Acres to massage them. It was a new experience for all of them. She said it felt so gooood to be touched in a loving way!
3) The Lola that I massaged came up to me, at the end of lunchtime (we brought them Pancit Malabon and cake) and she quietly hugged me. She was so small, she came up only to my chest and it felt like I was being hugged by a little child. So I held her in my arms while she rested her head on my bosom with her arms gently wrapped around my waistline and I tried so hard not to cry because she seemed so happy to be so close to me. It was a long hug, maybe a minute. Maybe five minutes, I don’t know, time just seemed to slow down. Finally, she let me go and just walked off into the distance. And as I stood there I realized that I just got of the most unforgettable hugs I have ever experienced from a near-stranger. God is so good… even as we try to help those in need… we end up being more blessed than them.
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This is a project of Other First Ministries.
If you are interested in joining my charity events, please leave a message below or text my office cp 0918.959.3343
If you are with a company that is looking for a charity to help out, you can contact me too and I can put you in touch with orpahanages and old folks homes etc.
God bless you all!
Many thanks to: The Edge Radio, my husband Ron Titular, my anonymous donor who abundantly shares, fitness expert Noemi Pitargue, Evangeline Pascual (Miss World 1973 1st Runner-up), Glenda Resurreccion (who hosted), Jasper Aviso (who helped with the slo-mo aero), Bong Manayon (official photographer), Yvonne Sy and family (for always supporting us), Luz de Jesus and the Philippine Association of Secretaries, Raymard Guttierez and his youth group IYF (they danced!), Pie Manuel (who brought her students), Jude Matthew (Birit Baby who sang! It was his bday pa!), Shanne Velasco and Mom (Shanne is another Birit Baby who sang for us), Leinie Alambro (videographer), Christine Alejandro (who always volunteers!), Marc Sparc (who did clean-up too!), Joel Trinidad (another loyal volunteer), Terese Magsalin (always ready to help), Keithlyn & Rhenand Manayoa (again!), Camille Basa (for raising so many Diaper Donations!)
More donors: Malou (you are always so kind!), Darelle, Shella, Mark Y., and Buena
Thansk too to Roselyn Kuizon, Em-em Ramos, Aji Adriano, Iddo Palad, Phoebe Beltran, Ave Parungao, Rosary Benitez, Joshua Dalmacio, David Fabregas, David Jay Yap, Basil Bunay, Pamela Magbanua, Ailea Lontoc, Joyce Reyes, Mindy Campos Diaz, Charisse Ragot, Rigor Reyes, Guada Alejandro, Jonathan Alejandro, Nida Albay, Noemi Batacandulo, Reyna Genove, Armie, Fe Aviso, Carlo Sampang, Joanna Santillan, Gem Apar, Stella Narua, Aba Dalena, Anna Guevarra, Zeny Raz, John Voltaire Lim, Henry Saportin, Earl Concing, Glenn Feralvero, Arlene Tavero, Jennelyn Saguid.
I can be quite forgetful, so if I forgot to thank you, please forgive me!
[...] in her brain was able to spend time with her Dad who is in Muntinglupa Jail. Then we we brought a “Human Spa” to Golden Acres to massage the oldies there. In December, we decorated Boys Town, a home of orphans, and made it [...]