Abstract
Filipino values and traditions say that the family’s elderly have to be taken-cared
of at home, be loved, respected, and valued. But modernization tends to over-run
this ideal way. In fact, the Filipino elderly has become one of the most marginalized
sectors. This study was conducted to describe the life, problems, challenges, and
pressing issues of the Filipino elderly. Three groups of the elderly of Maramag,
Bukidnon were considered: An Indigenous People’s (IP) Community, a group of
retired government employees, and a community of farmers. The study focused
on financial and physical dependency, disengagement, life satisfaction, challenges,
and on issues confronting the elderly. The study is descriptive using survey, indepth interview, and a key informant interview. This study revealed that the Filipino
elderly are confronted with poverty and other pressing issues. Nevertheless, they
are happy. It is also revealed that intermarriages have altered the once strong
kinship of the indigenous peoples (IP) community. Likewise, is apparent that among
the three sectors (IPs, farmers, and retirees), the IPs are the most marginalized.