AMID high hopes and enthusiasm of the seniors and the general public, the International MoTHER Movement (IMM) has launched a worldwide virtual center for elderly people, the International Virtual Senior Center (IVSC).
The event was held last Wednesday, February 15, at the Pilipino Workers Center located in Historic Filipinotown on Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles.
Consul Maria Alnee A. Gamble of the Consulate General of the Philippines in California graced the occasion as guest of honor and speaker.
She said she is hopeful that the newest IMM project will succeed as it will “surely benefit the seniors who are in dire need of attention and care.”
As Gamble congratulated the IMM leadership, headed by founding president and chief executive officer Perla Bermudez Santos, for spearheading the project, she said she is confident that “it will go a long way for the well-being and betterment of the senior citizens all over the world.”
Consul Gamble also called upon the audience in person and via Zoom to “extend help and support to the IMM’s latest noble and commendable endeavor.”
She was introduced by Prof. Elizabeth C. San Diego, a retired official of the Department of Education in the Philippines.
On her part, Bermudez Santos vowed to “do my level best to achieve the goals and aspirations of the IMM, especially promoting and maintaining the welfare of the elderly.”
She also announced that “the various daily virtual activities can be availed of, free of charge, by the seniors and their caregivers.”
This announcement was happily applauded. The IMM advocate and trailblazer also said she hopes to “help those struggling with stress, boredom, sedentariness, isolation and loneliness.”
“Specifically, our program activities will help control, if not prevent, chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and and other chronic health conditions,” she emphasized. Moreover, Bermudez Santos said “everyone is reminded to get clearance from doctors before engaging in high impact activities.”
On the same occasion, the IMM founding president and chief executive officer thanked and commended Filipino civic leaders Rosito Go and his wife Cres, Nerissa Beltran and Ning Batayola for their role program directors and coordinators, for implementing the various IMM projects and virtual activities. Their group has been virtually conducting taichi, dancing, karaoke and bingo ayuda, ever since the stay at home days due to COVID-19.
Because of the “dedication and unparalleled leadership” in conducting all the activities, the program was sustainable and participants from LA, Michigan, San Diego in the U.S.; Manila, Quezon City, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Negros Occ. And Cebu in the Philippines. IVSC is the offshoot of this endeavor.
She also credited the newest volunteers who have been working hard to “insure the success of the newest project.” She mentioned, among others, Ric and Len Velasco of Sta. Ignacia, Suzette and Mon Abad of Gerona, Tarlac who “go to the barrios to work with the masses.”
Moreover, Bermudez Santos commended the YouTube sensation BMD Dance Group led by Carlo & Alma Balingit and Coach Marlon “who committed to collaborate with us in virtually holding live dance activities weekly, notably Zumba, which has become popular for the barrio folk in the different rural communities in our homeland.”
She also thanked the Tender Loving Care Family Support Group for its “very valuable help and assistance in promoting the advocacies of the IMM.”
Dr. Veronico Agatep is the co-founder of the group, with Bermudez Santos.
Special mention was also extended to Gloria Resureccion and Tess Nones for “their able assistance and support in attaining the goals of the IMM and its advocacies.”
She announced the schedule of daily virtual activities and advised those who will participate to login with Zoom meeting ID no. 857-966-5987. Passcode will be given upon request, she said. Interested parties were also called upon to get further information that will be issued, from time to time, by the IMM leadership.
