Joy in old age

By Herbert Vego

DURING my lecture on news writing before the young reporters of Bombo Radyo, I confessed that I was a “young once” in a den of young ones; that I had worked with the Bombo reporters of the 1980s, including Dan Dolido (the father of Don Dolido) and the late Eddie Suede.

Old age positively matters because, like vintage wine, the old sage may even be preferable to the young.

“Look at me,” said a father to a son in a song, “I am old but I’m happy.”

One of the blessings that only we senior citizens enjoy is the privilege of paying less for many things, especially food and medicines – no VAT, plus 20% discount.

Honestly though, I would rather not get sick than buy discounted “maintenance” medicines. Ask those on “maintenance” and they will tell you that they miss pleasurable retirement options such as travel and entertainment.

Old people need not be discarded. Old but healthy men reflect deathless character and pricelessness – just like the old masters’ paintings, diamonds, old silverware, old furniture, old coins, old books, aged wine and vintage cars. Greece and Egypt thrive because of tourists who flock to see the ruins of past civilizations.

We love to look at our old pictures and reminisce and share with the young the memories of the “good old days when we were young.” How we regret not having preserved most of our old photographs!

We don’t usually lament the loss of a new thing; we cry over the breakage of an antique plate or flower base.

There are old books that are so packed with wisdom that they keep their authors alive in our hearts. Among them are the Bible and the writings of old Greek philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, which require new translations from generation to generation.

It surprised me to learn that “old” is an old word with a “young” undertone, derived from an Indo-European root that means “to nourish.” No wonder even an infant could be one-month “old”.

Unfortunately, when contrasted to “new,” “fresh,” or “young,” the “old” narrows its meaning to “stale,” “worn” and “dying.”

In the final analysis, however, let the Bible remind us that, whether young or old, dust we all are and to dust we shall return. There could be no adventure without traveling from youth to old age.

Take the case of one of the most famous Americans, Benjamin Franklin, whose picture appears on all US $100 bills. He was already 81 in 1787 when he was elected to the Constitutional Convention that would frame the Constitution of the newly-created United States of America.

Wow, I still have seven more years to catch up with Franklin of that era. At 74, this journalist refuses to retire; there is “forever” in writing, which could prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

-oOo-

MORE POWER AND ILECO III, HAPPY TOGETHER

“HAPPY 38^th founding anniversary, Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO) III.”

Thus said a full-page ad in this paper on September 26, 2024 to herald 38^th anniversary of ILECO III, one of the three electric cooperatives in Iloilo province.

Surprisingly, it was an ad sponsored by another distribution utility (DU), Iloilo City’s MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power). I saw it as an indication that cooperation and competition may work together.

You see, the page also showed pictures of the heads of both DUs, President Roel Z. Castro of MORE Power and General Manager James G. Balsomo II of ILECO III; the basketball players from both, and their cheering teams at the basketball court.

The pictures were taken during the fellowship night and goodwill basketball game between the two DU teams last September 12.

Incidentally, there are now places in Iloilo province, served by ILECO, where MORE Power will soon compete with in accordance with a new law, Republic Act No. 11918. These are Passi City and the municipalities of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas and San Enrique.

One gets the impression, unfortunately wrong, that ILECO III and MORE Power are on the verge of forging a joint venture agreement. But why not?

MORE Power’s sister company, Primelectric, has done it with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) to form the Negros Power Corp. (NEPC).

The joint venture has resulted in lower power rates.

-oOo-

A NEW SENATE PRESIDENT COMING UP?

EVEN the streamline media in Manila seem to agree with the unconfirmed rumor that Senate President Chiz Escudero would soon be voted out.

Surprisingly, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada denied the rumor that he would be the “replacement,” stressing that he had no intention of edging Chiz out.

Still, let us remember the adage, “Where there is smoke, there is fire.”

My friend Joe Escartin’s guess is that a senator from Antique may soon come up to be recognized.

Does Loren Legarda have the number 12?  With 23 senators remaining out of 24 – considering the loss of Sonny Angara who is now secretary of the Department of Education – 12 would constitute the winning majority.

Alas, despite that raw but good news for her province, Antique Governor Dodod Cadiao would not likely believe the rumor for an obvious reason.