Lolo and Lola turn digi-savvy, and it’s about time

Finally, it’s been said: senior citizens need not be left behind in the digital age. 

In an empowering tech inclusion push, leading digital solutions platform Globe Group transformed the digital landscape for Filipino seniors with its innovative "Teach Me How To Digi" #SeniorDigizen Learning Session last January 25 at the Skydome, SM North Edsa.

At least 200 senior citizens learned how to work the Internet in half a day of enriching tech learning. The #SeniorDigizens event was backed by some of the biggest brands in tech and retail and by senior citizen advocates from the government.

#SeniorDigizens jumping on the hi-tech wagon

“It’s really very important that our senior citizens learn digital skills because in the future, a lot of services will truly become fully digital. We have to help the seniors overcome their fear. And I guarantee you that once you try it, it’s going to be as easy or much easier than the old manual way,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group president and CEO.

Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer of the Globe Group, echoed Cu’s sentiments. “As digitalization accelerates, tech adoption should be simple and easy for everyone, no matter the age,” she said. “Technology should not be intimidating or difficult for our seniors, and they should be able to enjoy its benefits. The goal of our #SeniorDigizens campaign was to equip them with knowledge that will help them adopt new tech and apps that address their day-to-day pain points.” 

The event held learning sessions on building the following skills: creating a Gmail account (facilitated by Google), navigating smartphones (via Globe), and using fintech platform GCash and telehealth service KonsultaMD.

More perks for Lolo and Lola

Apart from hosting the event at Skydome, retail giant SM also provided the participating senior citizens an opportunity to join the Super Grannies Club (SGC), the grandest Facebook community for seasoned individuals. 

As SGC members, participants gain early access to events, exclusive mall deals and updates on SM Cares programs. These include health and wellness activities like Walk for Life, the award-winning Emergency Preparedness Forum, and community service programs that enable a fun, active, and productive lifestyle for lolos and lolas.

SM’s loyalty program SMAC, meanwhile, sponsored the event in SM Malls, as it is one with Globe in giving importance and joy to senior citizens.

“We are happy to support Globe in bringing to fruition our shared vision of digitalizing seniors,” said Jay Beltran, head of Sales and Marketing, Digital Advantage Corporation (DAC). “SM has long given seniors priority in our initiatives, and so our partnership with Globe for the #SeniorDigizens campaign is natural and seamless.” 

Helping hands for Filipino senior citizens

At the #SeniorDigizen Learning Session, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), led by its chairperson and CEO Atty. Frank Quijano, had a booth where seniors were encouraged and taught how to register in its database. The information gathered from the database would be used to understand the living situation, health concerns, skills, and other important details about the country’s roughly 11 million senior citizens. The NCSC also brought volunteers to help in the tech tutorials.

“We thank Globe for embarking on this program that addresses major concerns when it comes to seniors’ digitalization and online safety,” Quijano said. “We at NCSC have been pursuing our own efforts to bring the elderly into the digital space safely. And we are happy to find an ally in the private sector to introduce seniors to new technologies while, at the same time, protecting them from the dangers that lurk online.” 

Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of United Senior Citizens Partylist was also onboard, bringing senior citizen delegates to the event.

“We’d like to congratulate Globe for giving seniors priority through its #SeniorDigizens campaign. This is an initiative worth emulating,” said Aquino-Magsaysay. “The United Senior Citizens Partylist is one with Globe in seeing this through.”

Additional assistance came in the form of another senior citizen delegation gathered by the Quezon City government. The LGU also provided crucial logistics support.

“The city government of Quezon City is proud to partner with Globe in this undertaking,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. “In QC, we give our seniors top priority in terms of public services to help them live their sunset years as active and productive members of society. This project is key in helping them transition into a digital life and help them enjoy the benefits of modern technology.”

Livening up the event were #TeamGlobeofGood influencers, Kiray Celis and Chuckie Dreyfus. Internet personality Lester “Buji” Babiera, a talent of Globe Group agency NYMA, brought his brand of dynamic hosting onstage.

Inspiring a new, more dignified breed of digital nomads

The #SeniorDigizen learning session, which proved to be a significant effort to close the digital divide for the elderly, followed the success of the “Teach Me How to Digi” TikTok contest held in September last year. The contest received over 200 impressive videos showing young family members giving tech lessons to their senior loved ones.

At the #SeniorDigizen event, Globe awarded 25 winners with prizes worth PhP25,000. They also got to take part in the learning session.

"We are excited to help our senior citizens take their first steps into the digital world, ensuring they are not left behind in this fast-paced digital era,” said Liza Reyes, Public Relations and Communications Strategy Head at the Globe Group. “This event is our commitment to ensuring that they are not just consumers of technology but [are also] actively engaged in the evolving tech-savvy society.”

Globe’s #SeniorDigizens campaign not only educated but also inspired a new generation of empowered seniors, ready to engage and connect in today's rapidly evolving digital environment. Lolo and Lola are staying up-to-date!

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Globe Telecom.