I READ this statement sometime ago, but I can still remember the quote: "the real enemy of a civilized society is not poverty but boredom and solitude." So true! Since March of this fading 2020, when government started imposing strict restrictions, many of us, particularly senior citizens, were forced to confined themselves to their residences. Despite the books, television, YouTube, Netflix and what have you, still the feeling of being "imprisoned" can’t escape the mind. The next question is how do you deal with boredom?
Now before I continue, let’s get poetic and I will quote once more a paragraph written by my friend Rod Cantiveros, a former classmate in the College of Philosophy and Letters in the University of Sto. Tomas.
"Our spirit is high, sky is the limit. Our faith is much stronger than the fear you have spread. Our hope is firm that we go ahead with our lives even to the point of new normal. Our love with our fellowmen has become more solid as granite. It is a beautiful life as we stay home with our love ones, and busy in many opportunities in life and enjoy the blessings of God." The eloquence of Rod’s pen never escaped him.
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Now getting back to the senior citizens issue. President-elect Joe Biden of the United States slugged it out with the incumbent Donald Trump. Biden is 78 years old and Trump a septuagenarian himself. Imagine the 78-year-old Biden campaigning all over America. I can just imagine the stress, the pressures of strategizing, meetings, debates, fundraising and all that is attendant in running for political office. More so the presidency of the most powerful nation in the world. (Now I feel young compared to JB). Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahatir and our very own President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly were past in their prime when they were in hustings, yet they were a le to endure the campaign trails. In short, there’s a truism that age is only a number really. I am in my senior years. I can speak for myself I am still active in many things. I can still write. I conduct a TV show, I package business deals, I do consultancy works for government entities, PR works for politicians and business enterprises. I can still perform.
BTW. When I am with senior citizen groups, big laughs always explode over alleged sex exploits become the topic. Everyone has a story to tell. It is an excuse to be a doubting Thomas but never voice your disagreement. And each time a pretty lass is passing the DOMs (darling old men) can't be restrained in their most malicious looks. Most men in their sixties never lose their appetite on women, though they can no longer drill or can do the roundhouse even with the help of viagra. But they can perform, less the acrobatics. Some don’t even need the blue pill. In short the sixties should not be caged.
TIDBITS. I want to greet my readers a belated Merry Christmas with the highest hope of a better new year... I want to express my thanks to people who gifted me with cash and kind. I better not disclose their names but they know who they are. I answered their gifts too in some way but most of all I offered prayers and prayed to the Almighty that they will be blessed with more opportunities, healthy and long life. Lagi kong naririnig ito. Mabuhay kayo, hangga’t gusto ninyo.