Jaehwa Bernardo

Erlinda Flores is among the senior citizens training to become an accredited Intramuros tour guide. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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Former OFW senior citizen pursues dream as tour guide in DOT program

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175903148565420250924-intramuros-tourism-JC-3885.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Erlinda Flores is among the senior citizens training to become an accredited Intramuros tour guide. Photos by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The supposed American dream, while sought after by many, was not for a 79-year-old Filipina, as she only became more homesick as years passed by, constantly longing for her community.After 20 years in the United States, Erlinda Flores realized that she did not want to spend the rest of her life taking care of her husband and centering her existence around him.“Ganyan, ginagamot, punta kami sa doktor gano’n, tungkol lahat sa kanya. Ako? wala, sama lang nang sama. Anong buhay ‘to? Ayoko. I have purpose pa,” Flores told ABS-CBN News.(Like that, getting treated, we’d go to the doctor, everything was about him. And me, nothing, just tagging along. What kind of life is this? I don’t want it. I still have purpose.)Now, she is in line to be an accredited tour guide for Intramuros, one of the Philippines’ most historic tourist attractions.The Community Tour Guiding Seminar for Senior Citizens is a joint program between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens that seeks to “recognize the contributions of all Filipinos in promoting the country’s heritage and ensuring that the stories of the past continue to future generations.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175903154707320250924-intramuros-tourism-JC-3904.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>The 56-hour training for the first batch of 30 senior citizens, with Flores being the oldest contender, will run from September 24 to October 2, coinciding with DOT’s celebration of Tourism Month. Flores has spent a large chunk of her life as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), having first stayed in Israel for five years to put two of her children through college.She later came home to find her then-husband with another family. So, after moving her daughters away from their father, she filed for divorce in the United States, where her eldest child resided.<div> </div><div>&#x27;NOT ABOUT THE REWARD OR MONEY&#x27;</div>Flores would then spend the next 20 years in the US as a caregiver, during which she met her current husband, a retired American soldier.When his daughters had stereotyped her as a Filipino chasing a green card, Flores, who was in her 60s and already a resident, staunchly defended her home country and assured them that “most Filipinos are very loving, hospitable, and respectful.” Brimming with patriotism, she recounted telling them: “They (Filipinos) will help you if you visit the Philippines. So I hope someday, you put [it] in your travel list. Ask for me [then, and] I will help you for nothing in return, because I want to help my country in the tourist business.”After returning to the Philippines for good in 2022, still in search of her “purpose,” Flores stuck to her words and applied the moment she heard of DOT’s program earlier this year.“Gusto ko yung learning eh. Matututo pa rin ako dahil malakas pa ako, masigla pa ako, wala akong sakit,” the senior citizen said.(I like learning. I can still learn because I am still strong, still energetic, I don’t have any illness.)“This is not about the reward or the money that they will give me. This is about yung dream ko. I am already rewarded with this na napagsilbihan ko, ginawa nila akong tourist guide, telling other people, lalo na kung foreigner na, ‘Uy, ang bansa namin ganito, mababait ang tao, magaganda, mahusay kumanta.’”(This is about my dream. I am already rewarded with this in that I can serve, by making me a tourist guide, I can tell other people, especially foreigners, “Hey, our country is like this, people are kind, beautiful, and great singers.”)<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175903156099520250924-intramuros-tourism-JC-3920.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Out of over a hundred applicants and three rounds of interviews by the Manila City Hall, Flores has made it to the final seven-day stretch.<div> </div>She is confident that her years of experience overseas have prepared her for this exact opportunity, noting her proficiency in English and interacting with foreigners.“Kailangan din yung mukha mo, very charming na ma-eenganyo yung mga turista, diba? 20 years ako sa Amerika eh, ‘pag wala pa namang akong napangiting  Amerikano dun, ewan ko na lang, diba? Nasayang naman yung 20 years ko dun,” Flores said.(Your face also has to be very charming so that tourists will be encouraged, right? I spent 20 years in America; if I fail to make an American smile there, I don’t know anymore. I wasted my 20 years there.)She added that enduring years of the seasonal blistering snows and heat in the US has equipped her to handle whatever climate the Philippines throws at her.For those like Flores, who believe they have more to offer despite surpassing the typically deemed retirement age, she invited them to join the government program.“Inaanyayahan ko ang lahat, [mga] senior na malalakas pa, na huwag kayo dyan sa bahay lang umano. Kung talagang gusto nyo na humaba ang buhay nyo, lumabas kayo, at ito na ang pagkakataon.”(I invite everyone, seniors who are still strong, to not just stay at home. If you really want to prolong your life, go out, and this is your opportunity.)

Erlinda Flores left the 'American dream' behind to reclaim her purpose at home, training as an Intramuros tour guide to share her country's history.

Erlinda Flores left the 'American dream' behind to reclaim her purpose at home, training as an Intramuros tour guide to share her country's history.

Former OFW senior citizen pursues dream as tour guide in DOT program

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Former OFW senior citizen pursues dream as tour guide in DOT program

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Mei Lin Weng

Published Sep 28, 2025 12:32 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 29, 2025 09:38 PM PHT

Read More:

tourism

senior citizens

Department of Tourism

Intramuros

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