The Teaching Profession

Lerner L. Gatchalian
February 27, 2017

BSE- Social Science

Dr. Lilybeth Matira

Is There Any Obligation For The Child To Take Care Of

Their Elders ?

1. Legal Basis

Customs and Tradition are sometimes the basis of the existing law of
the land, in the Philippines it is nature of the majority of the Filipinos to
take care of the Elders in the Society because they see it as Debt of
Gratitude to their parents that raise and sacrifice to mold them as the
person that they are today. Aside from celebrating "Elderly Filipino
Month" every October of the year which recognize the vital role of the
elderly in the society in the nation building many laws are already
passed that promote and protect the elderly Filipinos in our society.

Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the State

shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development which shall endeavor to make essential
goods, health and other social services available to all the
people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs
of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.

Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution Further declares that 'it is

the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while
the State may design programs of social security for them.'

Republic Act No: 9994 or Expanded Senior Citizens Act of

2010. also provides a legal basis to recognize the role of family to
Elders in the society.

a. To recognize the rights of senior citizens to take their proper place in

society and make it a concern of the family, community, and
government.

b. To give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the

elderly and their full participation in society, considering that senior
citizens are integral part of Philippine society.

The mentioned existing laws are the proof that even the government
promotes the care and attention to the elders in the society, Child of
their Parents must return the favor, the love and affection that the
Elderly Parents used to mold them. Now that they are in the dawn of
their life we must cherish every moments that they are with us.

2. Moral Basis

The Bible says, "Honor your father and mother"which is the

first commandment with a promise"that it may go well with
you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Ephesians
6:2-3).

The Bible has much to say about caring for elderly parents and other
family members who are not able to care for themselves. In the
Philippines we are known to have a close family ties and extended
family have role to care and support the elderly with respect is
embedded in our culture. Yes It is customary for a Filipino child /
families to live together in the same house and take care of our elderly
parents. It is shameful for us to set parents apart from our children and
grandchildren. Filipino elders are expected to spend the remaining
days of their lives with their children and grandchildren looking after
them. Filipino children are taught to show affection for older family
members and respect for older adults and authority. We are expected
to seek the advice of elders and accept the decisions of our older
adults. We value the wisdom they have acquired through living long
lives. We are oblige to care for older adults and aging parents, and
maintain group harmony, loyalty, and emotional ties with our parents
and other family members across their life span. Conservative Filipino
elders expect their children to greet them by saying mano po as the
children kiss their hands or place the seniors hand to their foreheads.
In here we can notice that we Filipinos value our Elder so much Unlike
in some culture the elderly can be seen as burdens rather than
blessings. Sometimes they are quick to forget the sacrifices their
parents did to them when they are in need of care themselves. Instead
of taking them into their homes they put them in retirement
communities or nursing homes that sometimes against to the will of
their Parents.

When we honor and care for our parents, we are serving God as well.
The Bible says, The church should care for any widow who has
no one else to care for her. But if she has children or
grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at
home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is
something that pleases God very much, But those who won't
care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same
household, have denied what we believe. Such people are
worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8). Taking care of an
elderly family member at home requires genuine attention, patience,
dedication, time and effort. Caring for an elderly is a good way to
return the love and kindness to someone who has taken great care of
you through the years. Some elderly individuals require more
assistance than others. There are some who need round the clock
help. Looking after an aging individual is not easy and has its share of
challenges along the way.

"Liham Ng Isang Magulang Sa Anak"

by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensyahan. Kapag

dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon
ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan.
Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako a tuwing
sisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi

mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng binge! paki-ulit nalang
ang sinabi mo o pakisulat nalang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na
talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang

tumayo katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang
lumakad.
Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at
paulit ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako.
Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.
Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? kapag gusto mo ng
lobo,paulit- ulit mo yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit
hanggat hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtyagaan ko ang
kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda,

amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang
katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana
akong pandirihan. Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinatyagaan
kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, akoy masungit, dala na

marahil itong katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentohan naman tayo, kahit

sandali lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang
kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo
na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi
ka interesado sa mga kwento ko. Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka
pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan atintindihin ang pautal-utal mong
kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na akoy magkakasakit at maratay sa

banig ng karamdaman, huwga mo sana akong pagsawaan alagaan.
Pagpasensyahan mona sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa
higaan, pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng
aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana

ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang
kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha,

ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagapalain ka sana, dahil naging
mapagmahal ka sa iyong Amat Ina.