The next time you grab a meal at Chowking or Greenwich, the friendly face clearing your table might be a senior citizen, and they're there because they want to be. Two stories from the Jollibee Group are a nice reminder that wanting to work and contribute doesn't come with an age limit.
Rosalinda, 66, at Chowking
Rosalinda Caparanga used to sell items from home and spent much of her time taking her grandson to and from school. Once he started spending full days in class, she found herself with free time and a growing wish to work again.
She heard about job openings for seniors at Jollibee Group brands while renewing her senior citizen ID at Manila City Hall, followed up through PESO and applied. She now helps clear tables and keep the dining area tidy at Chowking.
For her, it's about independence. "Nahihiya rin akong umasa sa mga anak ko, kaya gusto kong magtrabaho," she said. ("I also don't want to depend on my children, which is why I want to work.")
Her family worried about her age at first, but she sees the job as a way to stay active and strong.
Manuel, 70, at Greenwich
Manuel Moran is a retired OFW who spent years overseas in accounting, operations and logistics. He originally hoped to become a tourist guide but was offered a chance to try food service at Greenwich instead, something he had never done before.
"Ayokong maging liability; gusto kong maging asset," he said. ("I don't want to be a liability; I want to be an asset.")
He learned to stay alert, keep things clean and handle serving items carefully, and he says the respect and acceptance from his younger coworkers made him feel at home.
How the program works
Both are part of Jollibee Group's Inclusive Employment Program, which has given jobs to more than 1,000 senior citizens and persons with disabilities since 2019. Run with local government units, it places qualified applicants in customer relations and front-of-house roles. In 2025 alone, it welcomed 285 senior citizens. The program falls under Jollibee Group's Joy for Tomorrow sustainability agenda.
Why it matters
What stands out in both stories is the teamwork across generations. Younger crew members help the seniors settle in, while the seniors bring work ethic, patience and decades of life experience to the team.
"Marami sa aming seniors ang may kakayahan at mayroon pang maiaambag," Moran said. ("Many of us seniors are still capable and still have something to contribute.")
If you know a senior who wants to stay active, Rosalinda's advice is simple: ask at your city hall or local PESO office about openings at Jollibee Group brands.
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