To Henry Yaplito, age does not affect his eagerness to work. He is now working as a tour guide at Taoid Museum in Laoag City at age 63.
Yaplito was an OFW from Saudi Arabia. Originally from Ilo-Ilo City, he met his Ilocana wife in Saudi Arabia. "We met in the hospital, in the emergency room itself," he shared. They were both working at a hospital in Saudi Arabia until they decided to return and stay in the Philippines for good on 2004.
They both do not have a pension, their earnings come from a sari-sari-store, but unfortunately, the store has been eventually closed.
At his age, he never knew that he can still be hired for a job anywhere else.
Everything has changed when he heard about the job opportunity from his wife. That time, the local government of Ilocos Norte is hiring senior citizens for summer tourism jobs.
Yaplito started his museum guide job last April 3 courtesy of the Summer Tourism Job for senior citizens organized by Ilocos Norte Provincial Government.
Yaplito is very thankful for the chance to work again. In fact, they do not have a source of income and her beloved wife needs money for her medications.
Yaplito is among 17 senior citizens and retired men and women deployed in different museums and churches across Ilocos Norte.To Yaplito, serving Ilocos Norte as a tourism guide at the Taoid Museum of the Ilocano Cordilleras is a priceless learning experience plus the privilege to be given the chance to be given the opportunity to work on a summer job in spite of his age.
He admitted that he was nervous at first. Aside from being not a born Ilocano, he hardly knows about their cultural heritage. Good thing, his wife is very supportive and answers his every question about Ilocano culture. He also conducted his own research on museum artifacts and the traditions of the Ilocanos such as Yapayao, Isneg, and Tingguians. It is a learning experience for himself and for others as he imparts his knowledge even with the locals.
He is having fun doing his job. He only hopes that his job will be extended until December.
Yaplito said he really appreciate the inclusion of senior citizens to the summer job program adding that he admires Governor Imee Marcos for being a compassionate leader to her people.
The Summer Tourism Program is handled by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO).During the program, they hired and deployed a total of 17 senior citizens and retirees throughout nine different museums and churches in Ilocos Norte.
Source: ilocosnorte.gov.ph
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