Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas

Capitol Site, Batangas City

Group Process and Gift-giving to Elderly

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others”.
- Albert Schweitzer

Imagine what it's like to live in the confusing world of ageing. Whilst we wait for a medical
breakthrough, populations around the world are aging rapidly. And the interest in the pursuit of
improving the health of older people has been
growing. A recent study has found that even small
increments in happiness may be beneficial,
suggesting individual activities as well as
government policies and programs that maintain or
improve psychological well-being may contribute to
longer life. To minister to the despairing and to
inspire hope in the hearts of the hopeless. We are to
act our part in relieving and softening the miseries of
this life. The miseries and mysteries of this life are as
dark and cloudy as they were thousands of years ago. There is something for us to do.

On May 05, 2019, we, the Master of Arts in Psychology students of Lyceum of the
Philippines University-Batangas together with our professors, Dr. Elna Lopez and Dr. Lourdes
Panaligan visited a facility situated at Bauan, Batangas. We were accompanied by some
volunteers who helped us with our simple mission of giving smile and sharing hope to the elderly.

As we reach the doorstep of the facility, we found many elderly people waiting for us so
eagerly. Excitement and enthusiasm were reflected on their faces.

Entrance of the Sagip Buhay Tahanan

Foundation Inc.
 After a while, we started the
activity. Our class president Mr. Renz
Macaraig together with his friends gave
free haircutting to the elderly while
some of us did manicure and pedicure
sessions. The excitement and gratitude
of the elderly cannot be merely
described through words, and it was a
great thing to see them participating in
our activities, . Many of them forgot, for
a moment, the sorrows of their hearts
and the aches on their bodies. It was a
different kind of satisfaction hearing
their joyous laughs and seeing their
broken smiles, both literally and
figuratively. It was indeed a wonderful opportunity for us to share the joy and laughter with them.
This can be considered as one of the happiest and most precious moment in our lives

We also had some conversation with the elderly wherein we were able to know some of
their stories and also the reasons
behind the sad faces reflecting the
hollowness in their hearts. We had a
very interactive conversation as they
poured their hearts to through their
funny stories and almost cried on
their hidden sentiments.

Haircutting, manicure and pedicure

session
 The experience we had in the facility gave us some insights that are good counsel
applicable in every fight of our lives. We realized that all of us will have to pass through this phase
of life one day. Some of us might also get the feeling of being unloved, unseen, unrecognized and
unappreciated by our loved ones. But as we stride on the journeys of our lives, we must remember
what Albert Schweitzer one’s said that “the purpose of human life is to serve, and to show
compassion and the will to help others”. Let us give care to those who once cared for us because
a simple gesture can give us the highest
Making conversation and sharing stories
with the elderly honors.

Sagip Buhay Tahanan Foundation Inc. is not just a home for the poor members of society
who are aged, sick, abandoned, handicapped and
dying. It is indeed a domicile where brokenness of
whole person is restored. And just like the frame
hanging on a corner of the facility, we want to tell to
each and every one of the them - to the elderly – that,
“YOU ARE LOVED”.