Por Cristo: Home for the Abandoned Elderly
69This is a short feature of Por Cristo (For Christ): Home for the Abandoned Elderly. I’ve been to this place twice and although the place is well-kept and clean, I can’t help but feel sad for those elders who are staying here. At the same time, I am glad that some people and a place such as Por Cristo are around to help them. So, in tribute to this place, I would like to feature them in this hub.
Some facts about Por Cristo:
- It houses 36 senior citizens who were abandoned by their families and/or who were found wandering around the city.
- It was established in 2001.
- It is being run by Rev. Fr. Dennis S. Prisco.
- It is located just outside the boundary of the city and is near the beach.
- You have to pass by a dirt road (which can get flooded during the rainy season) just to get to this place.
- The elderly are housed inside nipa huts.
- The place is open, meaning winds and the sea air can be very strong.
- They are dependent entirely on donations. As it is nearing Christmas, they are hoping the donations will start coming in.
- Some of the elderly have cataracts or cannot see well anymore. Those senior citizens who are still able to see are trained to guide those who can't.
I found out about this place during my father’s wake when a group of volunteers came over and held a mass for him. They related how generous my father was. None of us, his children, were aware of his activities but we were glad that before he died, my father found this place and shared his time, effort and money. In his death, I made a promise to at least visit this place, get to know it and give something, anything that I can give. As part of that something, I’ve written this hub. I know it’s short but this is more like for me than anybody else. Featured in this hub are the pictures we took during our visit. Stay for a while and view them.
Note to Those Interested: Anybody who's interested in donating for this worthwhile cause can do so by transferring funds to my Paypal account. Just send me a message and I'll give you the details. Whether it's $1.00 or $5.00 or even $0.50 will be much appreciated. And just to prove that the fund really went to Por Cristo, I will scan a receiving copy and mail the same to the donors. Thank you very much for stopping by.
Update:I just received an email from one of the staff thanking me for sharing Por Cristo in Hubpages. I didn't really promote this hub (or any of my other hubs for that matter) and I'm thankful they found this. I hope as well that other generous people will find and read this hub. It's a worthwhile cause for those looking for one.
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How honorable your father was. To do this and not talk about it. This is the test of a true hero - not one that brags. Because of him such places can exist.
Respecting and taking care of our elders should be an inherent privilege - not an after thought or something we may or may not do.
Thanks for this tribute!
Thank you for opening our eyes to how little it takes to do so much, especially for the elderly. You should have put a bank account of paylpal account there. I am sure if people put only a £1 or $1, and anybody won't miss that, you could collect quite a bit of money. I am sure for such a good cause HubPages would allow you if asked.
Phil and BK, thanks for reading my hub. It's kind of sad that there are really places like this. My father's heart was in the right place.
Hello, you really think so? I was thinking of putting one here but I abandoned the thought because it might be against hubpages TOS (not sure though). Maybe I'll just put a note here to PM me if anybody wants to donate. I can give my paypal account then =).
It is sad that we need places like this, but how blessed we are that, while the need exists, there are such good-hearted people. God bless.
Thank you reconciled heart. I really appreciate you dropping by.
Great Hub Here emievil showing great heart hehehe...
hehehehe I don't have that money to donate to them so I figure this will be one of my "donations". Hope some people with really good hearts will donate through this hub =).
To share with our blessings can make more to others like the abandoned elderly they need love even they dont have their own family through our little gift,efforts and donations we can possibly touch their lives.Dont hesitate to share help or lolos and lola........
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment annzme. I hope I can reach more people through this hub.
Nice to know you care about things that matters, keep it up=)
:) thank you
.. wohoooooooaaaaa..cooooooooollll..im currently having my OJT in this place.. oh my.. i did cry during my first time here.. the elders here. i pity them..really.. i could not imagine how can their children abandon them..
lolo who is dancing in the pic.. shes my client as of the moment.. hehehhe..she is so lovable and funny..
Hi miche. Maybe I'll bump into you when I go there :). You're doing a great job and I hope you'll stay longer. Merry Christmas!
I had my OJT there too last year and it touched my heart specially every time we will go home.Some cried and some made sad faces.I cant understand why some people abandoned their parents when they owed a lot from them.I hope more people will think of sharing because it will mean so much for the elders.And to you emievil,you made a job well done for making such thing like this...God bless and hope from this people would start sharing what they can to PORCRISTO...Godbless...
Thanks kriselda. I think what I'm doing is small compared to what you and miche are doing. Thank you for the love and care you showed to our elders. Hope more young people like you will show the same compassion for them.
Hi, wish to know the exact numbers (recent) of lola's and lolo's. I wanted to pay them a visit and share something when I reach home hopefully next year. May I know also whom to contact or do we need to ask for schedules when we wanted to visit them? Apart form cash donations can we give clothings, blanket or other personal stuffs for them?
Hi Clarice.
Not sure anymore how many. I think they are around 30, majority are the lolas. No need to ask for schedules, you can go there immediately (I assume you know where it is?). You can give clothings, blanket and other personal stuffs. We gave them food, some cash donations and some clothing. Hope you'll be able to visit next year. Thanks for your comment.
i have been there also for our field trip.. we were assign there to interview abandoned elderly. i found it interesting, and i'm looking to visiting again soon :)
sorry.. what i meant to say was that:
i have been there also for our field trip.. we were assigned to interview abandoned elderly. i found it interesting, and i am looking forward to visiting again.. i am missing lola Dolores, and many other lolos and lolas..
I heard of these efforts from a friend i met online. She is volunteering there and I was wanting to do something to help out. Thanks for your article.
i was surprised and happy when i opened this page. im one of the resident nurses of Por Cristo. I appreciated all the comments i've read. Thank u so much emievil of making this wonderful activity. You can reach us through landline, 342-8774 or 342-4060. Thank you and Godbless!
Hi it is been awhile that I was searching for this place in the internet and now I am so happy to see this hub. thanks to the author emievil. I've been there twice for some school activities and my sister had her affilation for a month as well.. I was touched when I saw the place and those abandoned elders. I am looking forward to visit the place when I come back :-) i was just wondering if I can please have the contact number and contact person in the place? please email me thanks alot. abijell_stephanie@yahoo.com looking forward to see them again soon....
Father..,
I HEARTILY THANK YOU FOR DOING THESE THINGS IN A SIMPLE WAY AND SMOOTHLY WAY
hello how to donate po
Jerome, do you have direct contact with them?
..I've been to por cristo last year.I was with my co.faculty members and pupils..We're going back there on Wednesday...Hope to see more of the Lolos and Lolas there. May the simple things we plan to give and our very presence make them smile...
i cant wait to see them again...... it would be very soon.....i just love this page...yeah honeyjaysa a simple things sure means alot to them, in short it makes them happy even in our own little way..
hi.i want..uhmmm..gusto ko sna mgvolunter dyan..i min as a caregiver something lyk dat.
PhilD41 2 years ago
Very well done. Thanks for sharing. I have never been to the Philippines, much less Butuan. However, this reminds me of several of the orphanages I have been to in Mexico though. Your father was doing a very good thing here. Hopefully your hub will generate interest as well!