Old age, new narrative

Picture this: You're watching your favorite show when an elderly character appears.

- JOE ZALDARRIAGA

He seems confused, forgets what he was doing, mishears others, and becomes the punchline. When asked about his day, he veers off-topic. He struggles to exit, even nearly slipping, while others laugh.

This is not just a scene — it is a reflection of how media often portrays the elderly: frail, forgetful and laughable. These portrayals reinforce harmful stereotypes and diminish the dignity of aging.

This must change. It's time we shift the narrative — from mockery to respect, from stereotypes to truth. Aging is not a joke. It is a journey that deserves honor, not ridicule.

Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes recently made an appeal for a more dignified and compassionate representation of the elderly on both mainstream and social media — calling out those who use old age as a punchline.

"All too often, seniors are depicted as forgetful, feeble, out of touch, or the object of mockery. These portrayals reinforce ageist stereotypes that contribute to the marginalization and invisibility of our elderly," Rep. Ordanes said.

"While we recognize the entertainment and creative freedoms enjoyed in the digital age, these should never come at the expense of human dignity," he added.