Growing older is inevitable. Growing old in spirit is optional.
Yesterday afternoon, I had the privilege of speaking before the members of OVFCSCA during the celebration of its September birthday celebrants on the topic “Aging With Purpose: Staying Relevant, Connected, and Proudly Filipino.”
The warm reception and kind words shared afterward reminded me that growing older does not diminish our value. If anything, it deepens our capacity to serve, mentor, and inspire others.
Our journey as Filipinos is rooted in values that continue to guide us wherever life takes us: Bayanihan, Kapwa, Malasakit, and Pamana.
As seniors, we are not simply witnesses to history. We are custodians of wisdom, culture, and experience. Our greatest legacy is not measured by what we have accumulated, but by the positive difference we continue to make in the lives of others.
So, here is the full text of that speech I shared with the people present at that event.
“I’m not a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or architect so I can’t talk about the things those professionals are experts on.
But over the last four decades, I have had the privilege of serving our community, working in sales, information technology, financial services, and through Tinig Pinoy Radio.
Along the way, I learned some valuable lessons about life, service, and aging that I would like to share with you today.
Age Is Just a Number, But Purpose Is Everything
One thing for sure is that growing older is inevitable.
But growing old in spirit is optional.
We’ve all met people in their seventies or eighties who are still enthusiastic, curious, and excited about life.
But we’ve also met younger people who seem to have lost their passion.
The difference is not age.
The difference is purpose.
Purpose is what gets us out of bed in the morning
Purpose gives meaning to our days.
Purpose reminds us that we still have something valuable to contribute.
As long as somebody can benefit from our experience, our life continues to have meaning.
Retirement Is Not the End
Many of us spent decades working hard and looking forward to retirement.
At tama naman iyon.
After years of hard work, we deserve the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life.
But I believe retirement is not the end of the journey.
It is simply the beginning of a new chapter.
For me, after working in different professions, I continued serving through community work and through Tinig Pinoy, particularly.
For 34 years now, Tinig Pinoy has helped connect Filipinos through music, culture, and community.
And what I learned is this:
We do not stop serving because we get older. We get older faster when we stop serving.
Our Greatest Wealth Is Experience
One thing every senior citizen possesses is something money cannot buy. Experience.
Lahat tayo dito may kuwento.
Kuwento ng pag-ibig.
Stories of sacrifice.
Stories of perseverance.
Stories of starting over.
Many of us left the Philippines and built a new life here in Canada.
That wasn’t easy
But I persisted and kept looking. And I, me and my family survived.
And because we survived those challenges, we gained something priceless:
Wisdom.
The younger generation needs that wisdom.Our children and grandchildren may have Google.
But they still need guidance.
In fact, I sometimes joke that before Google existed, lolo and lola were the original search engines.
When young people need direction, they often learn best from those who have already walked the path before them.
As we grow older, one of the biggest challenges is isolation.
Some friends move away.
Others become busy.
And sadly, some are called home ahead of us.
That’s why organizations like OVFSCSCA are so important.
They give us opportunities to stay connected.
To laugh together.
To share stories.
To support one another.
Sa ating kulturang Pilipino, mahalaga ang bayanihan., ang kapwa.
We are strongest when we stay together.
Because sometimes the best medicine isn’t found in a bottle.
Sometimes it’s found in friendship, community, and caring for one another.
Never Stop Learning
Another secret to aging with purpose is to keep learning.
Life does not stop teaching us simply because we become seniors.
Learn a new technology.
Try a new hobby.
Volunteer.
Mentor someone.
Share your talents.
The mind is like a muscle.
When we use it, it stays strong.
When we neglect it, it weakens.
So don’t be afraid of change.
Remember, if a former broadcaster, salesman, financial advisor, and community organizer can learn technology, then all of us can continue learning too.
As we reach this stage in life, perhaps one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is:
What legacy will I leave behind?
Its’s NOT how much money we’ve accumulated.
Not how many titles we’ve earned.
But how many people we’ve helped.
How many lives we’ve touched.
How many hearts we’ve inspired.
I once heard a quote that stayed with me:
“Success is what we achieve for ourselves. Legacy is what we leave behind for others.”
And I believe that’s true.
People may forget our job titles.
But they will remember our kindness.
They will remember our generosity.
And they will remember how we made them feel.
Closing
Before I end, I’d like to leave you with three simple reminders:
- Stay active.
Find something that continues to inspire you.
- Stay connected.
Nurture your friendships, your family relationships, and your community involvement.
- Stay purposeful.
Because your experience, your wisdom, and your guidance are still needed.
My dear friends, aging is not a burden…It is a privilege!
Not everyone is given the opportunity to reach this stage of life.
So let us continue to live with gratitude.
Let us continue to serve.
Let us continue to share our stories.
And let us continue to be proud Filipinos wherever life has taken us. Because a meaningful life is not measured by age.
It is measured by the positive difference we make in the lives of others.
“Mga kaibigan, hindi natin alam kung ilang kabanata pa ang natitira sa ating buhay. Pero dapat nating tandaan na habang may susunod pang mga pahina sa aklat ng buhay, maaari pa tayong sumulat ng makabuluhang kuwento.”
Thank you to OVFSCA for the opportunity to share this message and to all who took the time to listen, reflect, and engage.
Growing older is inevitable. Growing old in spirit is optional.”
