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Man’amkó ‘blazing trail’ for Older Americans Month
May is proclaimed Mes Man Amkó or Older Americans Month by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog at the Office on Aging Wednesday. This year’s theme is “Blaze a Trail,” highlighting the elders’ contribution in paving the way for the community and setting an example for younger generations. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)
The month of May is also the month to celebrate the elder members of our community.
This year’s theme for the Mes Man Amkó or Older Americans Month is “Blaze a Trail.”
A proclamation was signed at the Aging Center attended by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog, Cabinet members, and other government officials last Wednesday.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs acting secretary Robert Hunter thanked the man amkó for their contributions as well as future contributions to the community.
“When you think about it, it should be ‘Blaze More Trail’ as you are the people who have blazed the trail here in the CNMI. We are where we are now? We enjoy the benefits we enjoy now, because of your efforts. But there is still more trail ahead, and you have so much more to contribute,” Hunter said.
Hunter said the Mes Man Amkó is an opportunity to celebrate the elders and their accomplishments.
“We take this opportunity every year to celebrate our man’amkó who have done so much for us and to urge them to continue their good work. I see so many individuals here who contributed to my development and who I looked up to and learned so much from over the years,” Hunter said.
Office on Aging director Walter Manglona said they will focus this year on shining a light on the man’amkó and learning how to follow their example.
“We will use the Older Americans Month 2016 to focus on how older adults in our community are leading and inspiring others, how we can support and learn from them, and how we might follow their examples to blaze trails of our own,” Manglona said.
“Throughout the month, the CNMI Office on Aging will conduct activities and share information designed to highlight local programs, resources and success stories,” he added.
Joaquina Taisacan Mendiola, newly elected president for the Saipan Senior Advisory Council, encouraged her fellow man’amkó to continue lighting the way and setting an example to younger generations.
“May we continue to believe in ourselves and be grateful for all of what we have,” Mendiola said.
“May we blaze a trail our CNMI children is yet to walk upon for they will not walk in our steps in darkness,” she added.
