PURCIA, Divine Jane V.

SUMMARY:

BSN IV- C

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. -Abraham LincolnFilipino families are known for having a joint or extended family system, wherein all the members of the family live together with their relatives, especially with the elderly. Although many of them have many financial problems and space constraints in their homes, they still manage to accommodate their grandparents with them even when they are no longer able to take care of themselves. They feel morally obligated to fulfill their duties as sons and daughters by taking care of their parents even during their old age. Dapithapon which also means the day's end, documents the lives of Lola Lydia and Lola Anching - just two of more than half a million Filipino elderly who are still working because of poverty despite their old age. It shows that the life span of man is being longer. We now have a lot of the elderly here in the Philippines, and most of them still work despite their conditions. Filipinos are known to be industrious thus, our elderly still works. They know that they are old but it doesnt stop them from working for their families. They might have had a good life back then, but today its different. They work not for themselves but for their families. They wont stop working as long as they are still strong and not feeling any pain or discomforts. Some of the elderly choose to stay at home, but most are being bored that is why they still continue to work. They are not ashamed of what they are doing because it is the only way of living for them. The documentary also brings us to the Golden Acres Home for the Aged where parents who were abandoned and neglected by their children share their stories of frustrations and hope while waiting their last remaining days. Filipinos may be known to have extended family but there are still a good number of aged people being brought to institutions because they cannot be taken cared by their children. Most of them are sick and are abandoned by their own children. A lot of them also wish to be seen or visited by their children or grandchildren even once. They may be old but they are still human who needs care. REACTION: Aging can be difficult at times, we all go through it. It is important to remember that even though our physical appearance changes, our spirit does not. Some people in their 70s and 80s are much younger than some people in their 20s or 30s. It all comes down to one thing and that is our outlook on life. Everybody is looking for the fountain of youth, but what they often are unaware of is that the fountain of youth can be found by simply looking within oneself. Always remember, we are never too old to realize a new goal or dream. Also we must realize, just because someone is older, it does not mean that they have nothing left to offer to society and are incapable of accomplishing great things in their remaining years. People probably need to recognize the fact that they too would become old in a few years and probably go through the same situation that their old parents are going through now. This might make them take a better care of their parents so that their own children would see their example and take good care of them when they are old.