NO ONE really expected that I will live this long.
On September 21 this year, I would have spent seven decades of colorful (and at times, controversial) existence: health problems, and financial concerns and issues regarding my work and more.
Some say living up to 70 is already a bonus since some wither in their middle lives and others rarely survive thirty years.
Since my optional retirement from the Bank of the Philippine Islands in July 1979, I have performed myriad of jobs: from insurance underwriter, part-time real estate broker, referring agent for construction projects, government service work and ultimately, column writing in SunStar Pampanga.
I have had brushes with the law in my younger years but these only steeled my resolve to fight and move on.
Along the way, I have established friendships: Alex Dy Reyes, who still counts as a good friend, along with former mayor Romulo Pecson, Willie Feliciano who pampers me with the magic capsule, and of course, Engrs. Reynaldo Liwanag and Romy Calara, the latter still calling on PESO for projects and the former, acting like a big brother to me is always ready to extend a helping hand. Of course, I can consider my younger Perry as my staunch supporter, adviser and sympathizer. And always, he has a compassionate and willing hand to give my weekly financial assistance to buy my maintenance medicines which I need ever since I suffered two mild strokes in 2014 and 2015. For Perry, his personal slogan (for me, at least): he ain’t heavy, he's my brother. Long live Perry! I had to acknowledge former mayor Boking Morales who had supported me through the
years despite my faults and sometimes shortcomings.
If life begins at 40, I am basking in sunshine at 70. Did I hear jeers?
Or cheers?
*****
Comelec in a quandary. Due to the indecisiveness of Congress, whether to postpone or continue with the barangay and SK elections Comelec has been at its wits end to print or not to print the millions of ballots needed for this electoral exercise. Is it May 2018 or October 2018? Until now, nothing is yet definite and clear. Congress be damned, according to the election body!
*****
Bereavement law. After the mandatory leave for fathers as paternity leave in order to give them full attention and time to wives who gave birth, comes this sensible piece of legislation courtesy of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymond Villafuerte who said "a bereavement leave benefits system should be institutionalized to support employees in the public and private sectors who lost an immediate family member". Fine work, Congressman Villafuerte, sir!