Skip to main content »
Igorotage

Lola Roaming the Streets of Baguio for 34 Years Now Lives a Normal Life

Mentally challenged Lola roaming the streets of Baguio City for 34 years has been rescued and rehabilitated.

 |  4 min read

Nanay Calteya who roams the streets of Baguio City for 34 years has been rescued and rehabilitated.

A long-time vagrant used to roaming city streets was rescued and successfully rehabilitated through joint government-private efforts led by mental health advocate Ricky Ducas of the Baguio City Health Services Office Mental Health Program unit.

Nanay Calteya

Nanay Calteya, 64, is now happily living with her family in a home built by her family for her away from the streets she inhabited for 34 years.

It took nine months of wholehearted efforts from both the government and the private sectors for her to be reintegrated into the community.

"Ngayon si Nanay Calteya ay nag-aalaga ng apo, nagluluto, naglalaba at nakikisimba. Tumatawa, nagbibiro at higit sa lahat nanumbalik ang ilan niyang ala-ala. Na-enroll na rin si nanay bilang senior citizen at may social pension pa siya," Ducas said.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang gamutan. Monthly and kanyang monitoring at nabibigyan natin ng 'piskao ken bagas lang' (tuyo at bigas lang) na unang na sambit niya sa akin noong tinanong ko kung ano ang kanyang gusto," he added.

Ducas said he made it his mission to rescue Nanay Calteya after observing her daily and being reminded of a lesson he learned from his Saint Louis University (SLU) nursing course that "we may have a lot of injustices but everyone deserves to die with dignity."

His resolve was fanned after seeing her in a social media meme captioned, "Hindi ka taga- Baguio kung hindi mo siya kilala."

"I was hurt but took it as a challenge. Matanda na si nanay, at noong kasagsagan ng pandemya wala siyang mapuntahan na mahingian ng pagkain pero salamat sa mga nag-magandang loob na siya ay bigyan," he said.

The rescue took a month of planning and resource building with the help of various government offices and private groups and individuals.

"We conducted a concert-for-a-cause with the private sector July 15 last year for her. We located her family through the help of the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) and we learned that the family had been longing for their loved one to come home and be taken care of by them but was at a loss as to how to do it after several failed attempts," Ducas related.

Learning of the rescue, the family even built a modest home for her.

The operation undertaken at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was not easy.

"We had to plan it carefully because nanay habitually transfers from one place to another. We did surveillance and observed her daily and after establishing her routine, we coordinated with her family and the different agencies," Ducas recounted.

Coordination was done with the Baguio City Police Office, BCPO-Women's desk, OCSWDO, Baguio General Hospital Medical Center Psychiatry Mental Health Support and Services, Baguio City Health Services Office, Baguio City Emergency Medical Service-BCEMS and Anxiety and Depression Support Group- Baguio City Board Members.

The rescue was a success and the next step of the mission was the clinical and medication stage.

"Through the help of the private partner, TG Homes Apartelle, nanay was given a temporary accommodation to bathe and sleep in while waiting for the result of her swab test and admission to the BGHM Psychiatry Department," he said.

She stayed in the hospital for a month under the care of her senior citizen brother with their needs supplied through the help of volunteers until her discharge to the community.

"Anak na din ang tawag niya sa akin at sobrang saya ng pakiramdam na nagawa natin ang akala natin ay imposible. Sa tulong ng Dios at kayo na may puso na gawin akong tulay sa mga tulad nila. Iyaman! Sumya tako!," Ducas said issuing a challenge:

"Sana magawa natin ito sa lahat ng mga nasa lansangan na may psychosocial disability subalit una sa lahat dapat merong pamilya na handang yumakap muli sa mga tulad nila. Dahil may awa ang May Likha at maraming tao ang handang tumulong sa inyong kapamilya," Ducas said.

(As part of the strategies for the early detection of mental disorders among individuals, the CHSO made available a helpline that could be immediately contacted by people suffering from mental disorders open from 8 am to 5 pm: 09190696361. Beyond said hours, people can reach the National Center for Mental Health 24/7 hotlines: 09178998727; 09663514518; 09086392672.)

Credits: Aileen P. Refuerzo, Public Information Office - Baguio


Sharing is caring, kailian!

We do hope you find something great in this story. If you find this helpful, please do share it with the people you care about.


Igorotage is a platform for people to share their thoughts and ideas. The views expressed on Igorotage are the opinions of the individual users, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Igorotage.

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts. No account yet?

What to learn next?

You might also like to read more related articles filed under Awe-Inspiring Stories — or jump to a random article!

Awe-Inspiring Stories Surprise me

The Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao: A Vital Cultural Heritage

Discover the rich heritage of Ifugao with the Hudhud chants, a vital part of their cultural identity and rice cultivation traditions.

Oct 31 · 5 min read

Islay Erika Bomogao Joins ONE Championship

Islay Erika Bomogao, an Igorot Muay Thai champ, joins ONE Championship after dominating IFMA rankings and earning gold at international events.

Oct 24 · 3 min read

Baguio City: 5th Least Polluted City in Southeast Asia

Baguio City ranks 5th in Southeast Asia's Pollution Index 2024, highlighting its commitment to clean air and effective pollution management practices.

Oct 23 · 3 min read

Baguio Dancers Make History at the Asian Ballet Competition

Ballet Baguio makes history by winning two golds and one silver at the Asian Ballet Competition. Explore their remarkable journey!

Sep 19 · 3 min read

1986 Sipat: The Mount Data Peace Accord

Learn how the Mount Data Peace Accord, or the 1986 Sipat, helped end conflict and bring about administrative reforms in the Cordillera region.

Sep 12 · 6 min read

Baguio Mansion Opens Presidential Museum to the Public

Mansion House in Baguio opens its Presidential Museum to the public, featuring rare artifacts and art. Find out how to visit with this quick guide.

Sep 8 · 3 min read

Gwendoline Soriano Crowned Miss Baguio 2024

Gwendoline Soriano crowned Miss Baguio 2024 will represent Baguio City in the next Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

Aug 30 · 3 min read

Living in Baguio City: 34 Must-Know Facts from a Local's Perspective

34 things to know about living in Baguio City from a local's perspective. Get tips on local life, weather, and the City of Pines.

Aug 29 · 18 min read

Julie's Bakeshop Denies Viral Video Claiming Rat in Bread Display

Julie's Bakeshop branch in Baguio City responds to viral rat clip, denies it's their store, and will sue the uploader.

Aug 29 · 3 min read

PHP 100M to Repair The Mansion House in Baguio City?

Baguio City's The Mansion House is set for a PHP 100M repair project. Do you think this investment in renovations and a new museum is worth it?

Aug 29 · 2 min read