Malolos City, Bulacan -- The Liturgical Music Ministry of RCAM Sto Nino de Paz Greenbelt Chapel took a day-off today, August 18, but woke up really early for our mission outreach. We visited the elderly people being cared for by the zealous and cheerful Sisters of the Divine Shepherd (SDS) at TAHANANG MAPAGPALA NG IMMACULADA CONCEPTION FOUNDATION, INC in Km 43 Malanggam Street Mc Arthur Highway Bulihan Malolos City Bulacan.

All 30 residents are female, mostly octogenarians. No family, no relative and now no hopes even that they will contact. Some even got Alzheimer's disease. We interacted with the lolas by asking open ended questions and just listened. It is amazing what one can learn by listening. Countless unique stories are brimming in the hearts of and minds of the lolas especially about their day-to-day activities. Music made our lolas feel like moving, dancing and singing. We sung and danced to "Mahal Na Mahal Kita, Panginoon" by Rommel Guevara, "You" by the Carpenters, and "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" by Rey Valera. Each lola received gifts that would help them with their daily needs like house dress dusters, disposable adult diapers, and adult milk powder. The visit proved to be a very thoughtful effort and made the lolas so happy. It was a revelation to us and changed our whole perspective. The hours we spent reaching out to the abandoned and deserted elderly not only brightened their day but also enriched our life.

For lunch, we had a variety of grilled seafood and filipino dishes, cooked to order at Funnside Ningnangan Guiguinto, Bulacan (near Tabang exit). It was certainly an amazing food experience and dining with kind-hearted and awesome Music Ministry, made it even greater!

Homes for the aged are fast becoming the last resort of the elderly. Shunned or abandoned by their families, many grandparents face the prospect of a lonely death at homes for the aged, with only the religious sisters and staff having to attend to funeral proceedings. Help uplift the living standards of our lolas at TAHANANG MAPAGPALA NG IMMACULADA CONCEPTION FOUNDATION, INC. For donations, you may reach out to the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd (SDS). Call (6344) 796-2274, +63 917 985-3613 or email [email protected] and ask for Sr. Maria Fatima R. Senarillos, SDS.

Lord Jesus, thank you Lord for providing us the opportunity to serve you in the person of the lolas at Tahanang Mapagpala. Grant them good health and heal their mind, body, and soul. We thank You for the life miracles past, present, and future. Bless the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd, and all their tireless and selfless collaborators. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.