At an age when many people are expected to slow down, three senior citizens from Pasay City find themselves at the heart of the country’s cultural scene, reinvigorating their golden years through the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ special Front-of-House (CCP FOH) Apprenticeship Program, a simple apprenticeship program which becomes the start of a meaningful addition to their lives.
Through a partnership with the city’s Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in 2024, senior ushers Sarah Escosora, Marte Aragon and Bubot Manalang participated in the apprenticeship program which aims to open doors for older Filipinos to be an active member of the arts and culture community.
The ushering apprenticeship lasted for a month and included lectures, fieldwork, venue exposure trips, and first aid training. The seniors were immersed not only in audience management, but also in the values of culture, education, and service.
“Nagbigay-diin sila sa kultura, sining, at edukasyon. Yun ‘yung naging focus ng training namin,” shared 63-year-old Manalang who is a barangay public servant.
The CCP’s Front-of-House Apprenticeship program reflects the Center’s mandate to transform lives through the arts. Aside from senior citizens, the program has also welcomed and trained deaf and hard-of-hearing participants to be at the forefront of cultural work.
“Being a part of the CCP gives me a sense of purpose,” shared 66-year-old Escosora who is the senior president of Barangay 37 and a barangay kagawad. Escosora was among the first batch of senior citizen ushers selected for the pioneering program.
“It gives me a reason to continue learning even though I am already a senior. Na-feel ko na may purpose ako, and I belong in a community,” she shared.
Initially, there were 10 applicants who were accepted. Two eventually had to step back due to health concerns and scheduling conflicts, leaving eight ushers who continued with their apprenticeship journey and eventually became part of the CCP Venue Operations Division’s ushering team.
“So far, ‘yung eightna nagtuloy, buo pa rin after two years. It goes to show that we really enjoy this kasi tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami. Napakarami naming natutunan. Kahit na senior na kami, we still look forward to having new experiences, and meeting new people,” said Aragon, a 66-year-old retired export manager.
For Aragon, the opportunity felt like a homecoming. He once worked at the CCP as a public relations officer in the 1980s. Before working for corporate, he had been involved with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), where he crossed paths with now-renowned theater figures such as Pen Medina and Joel Lamangan.
What made the apprenticeship experience all the more special was gaining access to performances they otherwise may never have seen.
“Nakakapanood na ako ng shows na hindi ko mapapanood kung hindi ako usher kasi mahal ang tickets,” admitted Escosora. “Double benefits din – nakakapag-serve kami at the same time nakakapag-enjoy at nakakanood ng shows.”
Their assignments range from children’s theater productions to major cultural events. One of the most memorable moments for the group came during the public tribute following the passing of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Nora Aunor.
“Pinag-duty kaming lahat na senior citizen dahil lahat kami kilala si Nora,” Aragon laughed. “Memorable ‘to sa akin kasi lahat ng friends ko na di ko na nakikita, doon ko pa sila nakita.”
For the ushers, however, the experience extends far beyond the grand events or the pay.
“Kahit late na late na ‘yung sweldo, walang nagrereklamo kasi it is not about the pay — it is the experience, the belongingness. Sobrang alaga kami ng management, sobrang welcome kami at pampered,” emphasized Aragon.
Escosora agreed, saying: “Alagang-alaga talaga kami. Pinapaupo kami lagi kapag start na ‘yung show para raw di kami mapagod.”
The work has also given structure and excitement to their daily lives, with many of them stating how their duties provided them something to look forward to again. They hope that the younger generation would also be as eager to experience art outside of their screens.
“They should cherish the opportunity to go to live shows and live performances,” Escosora said. “Cherish our culture. Support the artists and go beyond the digital way.”
Manalang echoed the sentiment, encouraging young Filipinos to remain curious about the arts and the people behind them. “Nakita ko kasi talaga how dedicated the artists are to their craft. They deserve so much appreciation and support,” she said.
Aragon reflected on: “In nature, Filipinos are very creative. Naniniwala ako na lahat ng Pilipino ay magaling sa sining, kaya dapat lang na suportahan at payabungin natin ito.”
In many ways, the senior ushers embody the very mission of the CCP: to make art meaningful and accessible to the public. The stories of the CCP’s senior citizen ushers remind that culture thrives not only through artists and performers, but also through the communities who sustain and protect it.
For over five decades, the CCP has stood as the country’s premier institution for the promotion and preservation of Philippine arts and culture. Beyond staging world-class performances and nurturing artists, the institution has also continued to expand its programs toward inclusivity and community participation. Through initiatives such as the Front-of-House Apprenticeship program for senior citizens, the CCP demonstrates that there will always be a place for every Filipino who wishes to take part in keeping the arts alive.
#CCP #FrontofHouseApprenticeship #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph
