Living the Good Life at 75

By Herbert Vego

THIS writer has turned 75 years “young,” which is how I feel.  If life really begins at 40, then I’m as good as 35 years old.

I still write for a living.  I have been a journalist for 55 years – since 1970.

Oh well, reaching the age of 75 is already an achievement to thank God for, since I have exceeded the average life expectancy of the Filipinos, which is 71 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Bible says that the years after 70 are bonus years. It says so in Psalm 90:10: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.”

But a person can live way beyond 80. We all know that former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will turn 101 years old on February 14, Valentine’s Day. Some of us may live longer than that. As the Old Testament also says, a Hebrew patriarch named Methuselah lived for 969 years (Genesis 5:27).

One of my favorite old songs is entitled “Father and Son,” where singer Cat Stevens sings, “Look at me, I am old but I’m happy.” I take it to mean that happiness leads to an old age worth living.

In other words, according to Freddie Aguilar, “Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Tawanan mo ang iyong problema…”

We all know the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine.” But not everybody knows that it is a rephrase of a Bible verse, Proverbs 17:22, which says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

Some of us think negatively of old age as a pre-departure stage to Kingdom Come. Forget it.  Death comes to everybody, whether young or old.

Indeed, why be in a hurry? We senior citizens enjoy the privilege of paying less for more goods. It feels good to eat in a restaurant VAT-free, plus 20% discount.

The same applies to medicine.  But, of course, it feels better to live a good life without need for medicine.  Otherwise, we need to depend on the so-called “maintenance” medicines that would help us fight geriatric diseases.

Honestly though, if there’s one privilege I would like to avoid if possible, it’s drugs. Discount notwithstanding, it could still rob us of enjoyable options like travels and vacations.

Whenever asked for my secret of staying alive at 75, I mention “fruits, vegetables, positive thinking, moderate exercise and, to repeat, laughter.”

Bawal magalit because anger can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate and contribute to issues like cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, and even weaken our immune system.

Incidentally, “old” is an old word with a “young” undertone, derived from an Indo-European root that means “to nourish.” No wonder, when we ask a young child for his age, it’s “How old are you?”

We still rely on old philosophers for guidance and wisdom. Among them are long-dead Greek philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates.

It is often only in old age that we cherish the memories of our youth. 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 need not be useless in old age. Do you know that Benjamin Franklin – whose picture appears on all US $100 bills – 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?

Franklin’s example proves that time could be our ally. Expertise in a profession requires time. That is why I remain active at 75.

A quotation attributed to Abraham Lincoln – the 16th president of the United States — says, “It’s not the years in our life but the life in our years that counts.”

-oOo-

THE WONDER OF UNDERGROUND CABLING

We chanced upon former Senator Franklin Drilon, Raisa Treñas (daughter of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas) and MORE Power President Roel Castro walking along J.M. Basa Street to “feel” the company’s underground electricity.

Drilon expressed his delight at the transformation of what used to be Calle Real, noting its new-found clean and visually appealing aesthetic, free from the clutter of overhead cables.

The undergrounding of power lines on that street was completed days ahead of the city’s celebration of the Dinagyang Festival.

The cable undergrounding kicks off further collaboration between MORE Power and the Iloilo City government in enhancing the city’s infrastructure and preserving its historical charm.