18/10/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง โ๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐, ๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐๐โ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ
Sixty-three-year-old Cynthia Vargas of Barangay Pembo emerged as grand champion of Taguigโs โGayang Gaya, Kayang Kaya 2026: Galing ni Lola at Galing ni Lolo โ Battle of the Championsโ after impressing judges with her rendition of Shirley Basseyโs โThis Is My Life.โ
Vargas earned a score of 95.67 percent during the grand finals held on October 15 at Lakeshore Hall in Barangay Lower Bicutan. She took home โฑ30,000, a plaque and a certificate of recognition.
Armando Fernandez of Barangay Fort Bonifacio placed first runner-up and received โฑ20,000, while Jose Fegarrido of Barangay West Rembo finished second runner-up and won โฑ10,000. Both also received plaques and certificates.
Organized by the City of Taguig's Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the competition gave senior citizens an opportunity to showcase their talents in singing, dancing, acting and other performances as part of the city's Elderly Filipino Week celebration.
The competition drew 76 contestants from different barangays, with 16 advancing to the grand finals following elimination rounds that started on October 1. More than 500 family members, friends and supporters attended the event to cheer for the finalists.
Mayor Lani Cayetano, who attended the competition, expressed her appreciation for the senior citizens who continue to pursue their interests and remain active in their communities:
โNatutuwa po akong makita na very active ang ating mga senior citizens dito sa Taguig. Talagang pinagpala ang Taguig โ binigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng mga Lolo at Lola na patuloy na nahahanap ang kanilang sense of purpose sa mundong ito."
The mayor emphasized that senior citizens remain valued members of the community whose talents and contributions deserve recognition.
Vargas, meanwhile, credited her victory to prayer and preparation, saying she dedicated her performance to God and her fellow senior citizens:
โUna sa lahat, nagdasal po ako kay Lord na gabayan ako sa pagkanta ko. Siyempre, nag-practice din po ako nang ilang beses para mas makabisado at mapaganda ang aking performance. Inalay ko po ang kanta kay Lord at sa kapwa ko seniors para maipakita na may mga talento pa rin kami."
She also thanked the city government for providing senior citizens with opportunities to pursue their passions and share their abilities with others.
The event featured performances ranging from musical numbers to dramatic portrayals and dance routines. The winners of Ganda Mamita 2026 also joined the celebration, while Luz Beltran of Barangay Katuparan, who received the Best Performance award during the Ganda Mamita competition, entertained the audience with a musical number.
The remaining finalists each received โฑ5,000 in recognition of their participation.
Among the contestants was Grace Sabado, 65, who performed Coritha's โOras Na.โ She encouraged fellow senior citizens to continue pursuing their interests regardless of age:
โHindi po hadlang ang pagiging senior para ipakita ang ating talento at ibahagi ang ating mga saloobin. Hindi po nawawala ang ating galing kahit tayo ay may edad na."
The competition carried the Elderly Filipino Week theme, โNakatatandang Pilipino: May Halaga at Karapatan, May Boses at Ambag sa Bayan,โ highlighting the importance of recognizing the rights, abilities and contributions of older persons.
Through programs such as โGayang Gaya, Kayang Kaya,โ Taguig continues to provide opportunities for senior citizens to remain active, build friendships and participate in community activities as part of Mayor Cayetano's Transformative, Lively and Caring City agenda.
Present during the event were Vice Mayor Arvin Ian Alit, District 2 Rep. Jorge Daniel Bocobo, city councilors, OSCA Head Ramonita โNitzโ Jordan, Executive Assistant for Senior Affairs Marilyn โMayethโ Tanyag and Deputy City Administrator for Health and Social Services Dr. Cecille Montales.
