GOD IS GOOD, CARPE DIEM!

June 8, 2025 Opinion

I was born a fragile sickly child six in a little sitio called Trancoville, now part of President Manuel Roxas Barangay 6 decades and six
years ago. Today, June 7, 2025, I would inevitably look past the years that was with a clear heart, soul and mind. Nurtured by a
conservative public school teacher-mother and a free-spirited-accountant for a father, I have lived a fairly good life. I Had a blessed career in law, business and legal education and public service-practiced with Cabato Law at 25, became a two-term Congressman at 29, Dean of a School of Law at 39 and in the interregnum established a quite reputable Law Firm as my own. I had my shares of ups and downs, made a few mistakes along the way.

God and life has been kind as the downs were few. I Never claimed to be perfect, uttered a few unkind words to people even if they sometimes deserved it and admittedly did wrong to a handful. Most of the time I stood my ground, spoke on the right and decisively fought for what I stood and believed in, unpopular as it may be. I trusted the wrong people in a few instances, though most often than not, I had a bounty of a share of loyal and trustworthy people. People accept me for what I am and not what they think I should be-in EMA what you see is what you get! If I were to live my life all over again, nothing would ever change.

I like me for who and what I am today. In hindsight, I would like to be reincarnated as a three legged butterfly who can be free to fly. and hover over his loved ones.. 66 makes me believe that I have done good to others, following the Boy Scout credo of doing a good turn everyday or the Rotary theme of Service above self. I have done my share and contributed more than enough for the welfare of our people, gave everyone his due, rendered justice even if the heavens fall and followed the biblical phrase “do unto others what you want others do unto you!” And if only people would look beyond the imperfections and see the right in me, then they would agree that indeed, I was a good man after all.

I have stopped looking at the evil of someone else and try to change him because in doing so, I am trying to change my own darkness, my own shadow. For now, my rule of thumb is to enjoy the last few years as a transient on earth as life would be better, happier, healthier in this universe. My Family was a blessing with a nurturing wiifey and mother of four who withstood the challenges of life and living with a naughty, reckless boy for a hubby. True simple joy are is having grandkids now 6 plus 1 to come. I am luckiest to have friends and family who have struck through thick or thin, despite me, inspite me. Of course an eternal bonus is a son, who rose above the source and did his name proud by topping the Bar, an honor more than any title or position can match.

Reaching this age, means slowing down a bit. Funny but actually a year or two ago, I have contemplated finally hanging up my work boots and working clothes (suits and barong for us crocodile species). Maybe I would just be gentleman of leisure and pleasure. Retire, fulfill my lifetime fantasy of being an Uber driver in New York or have. A little forest cottage on the praire, with adobo, daing or red eggs on the table and be surrounded by people who sincerely care and love me for what I am, bringing me happiness all over. Or maybe work on my the folk and country songs amidst a bonfire while having barbecue in a backyard, while deers, does and antelopes hover around, or babysit the apos in the land of milk.

In the alternative which is the greater possibility, maybe, just maybe, I will stay in the boondocks of my of birthplace, laze around like a first class bum and drink brewed coffee to death not forgetting to serve humanity through Rotary or return to public service for a last hurrah and fulfill my father’s wishes tp be Mayor, ‘twink-twink’. … as to where? At this age, one realizes that life is short and I just want to “seize” the day, enjoy the present, instead of putting all hope in the future as if tomorrow will never come. In todays universe, one never knows how long or how much time we have on earth. Life is indeed too short for pent-up frustrations, conflict, petty quarrels and pain.

So that now or for the moment (mahirap naman magsalita ng patapos!), I have no further wish or interest for more extra stress, drama, conflict, pressure or any other contest in my life. In other words I will follow the advice of the Roman satirist and poet Horace who had the bright idea that we should enjoy life while we can! His full injunction, “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero,” – literal, “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one,”. Carpe diem then is the closest thing to a philosophy of life that I can identify myself with today. So I say “Carpe diem” -”Seize the day” God is good. Thank you for life.!” Sigh!