By Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile may be old and wrinkly but his wit and intelligence appears to have stayed on.
Enrile turns 88 on Valentine's Day and has this wish: to make everybody happy.
“Gusto ko happy ka,” Enrile jokingly told reporters when asked about his birthday wish on Tuesday, a line from his 2010 campaign slogan.
He also wishes for “stamina and divine light to do what is right in the remaining years of his life.”
Enrile, who has been in the public service for four decades, noted that he is also happy.
“I’m happy that I’m still alive. Aren’t you? I have very simple taste. I eat very simple food. I have simple objectives, simple needs. I have very few friends. I seldom go out with barkada. I’m more at ease when I’m all alone, contemplating what life is,” he said in an interview with students last month.
But how does he stay fit and sharp despite his age?
“Nothing. I eat anything – lechon, chicharon, kinilaw, jumping salad,” Enrile said about his diet.
Enrile said he also reads a lot of books, mostly on philosophy and politics. He likes reading and reciting poetry as well.
Perhaps a little exercise helps, as Enrile claims he used to be a good dancer.
“I used to dance all kinds of tango. American tango, Tango Filipino, international tango Argentino, and tango Pulitiko! You know what is tango pulitiko? Atras abante!” Enrile said in jest.
Aside from taking vitamins, the senate president also has early morning walks at their village as a form of exercise.
Enrile's definition of happiness is “to have a little of everything” while the greatest misfortune for him is “losing honor.”
And if his day comes, he wishes for a peaceful passing.
“I would like to die when I am sleeping, I would just pass out to eternity,” he said.
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