Sunshine Place is marking its tenth year as a community hub for seniors in Makati. For the past decade, it has provided a welcoming space for creativity, wellness, and social engagement.
Founded under the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation, the center has become a gathering spot for older adults seeking to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others.
Members like 74-year-old Tess Castaneda call it their “happy place.” She credits Sunshine Place for helping her maintain an active mental and physical lifestyle through various classes such as dance, art, and fitness. It also offered her opportunities to socialize and form new friendships.
Others share similar stories. Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo, 70, discovered the center after retiring from a life in the diplomatic circle. She found creative fulfillment in painting classes, often joined by her young granddaughter.
Another member, Linda Atayde, a former SM Foundation and bank executive, developed a passion for Ikebana flower arrangement, which led her to explore writing and other creative pursuits. Atayde also highlights how the center’s online activities during the pandemic kept her engaged and healthy.
Writing workshops, led by Oscar Penaranda and Dr. Joem Antonio, have helped members discover new talents. Antonio, an eight-time Palanca winner, says the center has a way of attracting “interesting people.”
Penaranda notes that the workshops have guided seniors in self-discovery and clarity in their writing, resulting in a collaborative anthology, Reflections in Light and Shadow, An Anthology of Short Memoirs.
Chit Mijares Chua, who has taken writing workshops under Penaranda and Barbara Gonzales says she likes the quiet joy and lightness of Sunshine Place.
“Confidence, productive me-time, courage to step out of the box, peace, gaining a friend or two. Sunshine Place gives me those,” Chua states.
Music therapy has also played a significant role at Sunshine Place. Instructor Czarina Cruel says she has found a second home there. Harvey Chua, one of her students, says the center brought new joy into her life after losing her husband.
Artistic pursuits like Ikebana and porcelain painting have also flourished. Instructor Marc Tomas takes pride in seeing seniors develop new skills. His student, Cynthia Huessaff, enjoys a sense of community during classes. Tess Colayco, another student, calls it her “ikigai place,” where she finds joy in painting and meeting like-minded individuals.
Porcelain painting teacher Mee Lee Casey adds that the classes offer a supportive environment for participants to bond and share their experiences.
Sunshine Place also offers dance and fitness classes. The “Dekada Class” members, Bella Pilapil, 71, Marilou “Balot” Prudente, 57, Maria Corazon Mendoza, 71, Cecille Ventura, 50, and Rey Legarda, 57, appreciate the camaraderie and mental stimulation they gain from the center’s activities.
Sunshine Place also caters to those interested in physical activities. Dance instructor Danny Vinculado has been teaching at the center for a decade, with students like 95-year-old Erlinda Velasco and 53-year-old Cherry Co finding joy in tap dancing.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to do this, but as long as I can follow on my feet and they don’t throw me out, I’ll keep trying. It keeps me young at 95,” says Velasco.
Co often brings her mother, Enrica Babao, 84, to the senior hub three times a week. Although her mom’s age and health issues have been challenging for Co, her mom has been active in dance, salsa, chair dance, music classes, and brain enhancement classes.
“Mommy was enjoying,” she says. “Sunshine gave my mother continuity even if she is a senior. There is life and happiness in being part of the Sunshine Place family.”
Sunshine Place, located on Jupiter Street in Makati, continues to provide a welcoming space for seniors to explore their interests, stay active, and foster community.
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