Growing old is a privilege

Village of Gifu Prefecture, men lived up to 80.6 years. Besides genetic as a factor, our diet, exercise, and lifestyle as a whole most significantly determine our health and longevity.

SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine

QUITE often, people complain about growing old. They say they hate getting up there in age and living with wrinkles all over, deformed fingers, with the aches and pain of arthritis, diminished agility and dexterity, a limited mobility, and varying degrees of impairment of vision, hearing, and memory.

The picture portrayed above is, in general, and invariably, a description of what all of us, sooner or later, will face as we get nearer midlife, and more so as we sail through the sunset of our life. As a cardiac surgeon, I feel that as long as one does not have a serious heart ailment, severely complicated illnesses, or cancer, the changes our body and mind undergo as we grow older are as natural and “normal’ as life itself. The cycle from birth to death is a predestination none of us can escape from. In between those years, depending on our genes, and more so on our lifestyle and discipline, on how we behave, our health and longevity will vary accordingly.

In 1950-1955, global life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 46. This had risen to 65 in 2000-2005, and is 79.11 in 2023, a 0.08 percent increase from 2022. In welldeveloped countries, this rise in longevity is predicted to increase to 82 years by mid-century, while among less developed nations where life expectancy is under 50 years today, the projection is 66 by 2045-2050.

In the United States, there are about 56 million who are 65 and older. By 2050, it will be about 87 million. One in 10,000 people lives to be 100. In 2022, in the U.S., there were about an average of 97,914 centenarians, and this is expected to go up to 274,000 in 2025.

The life expectancy today of various races in the U.S. are as follows: Asian-American, 84.9; North Americans, 79; Middle America, 77.9; Lowincome whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, 75; Black Middle Americans, 72.9; Western American Indians, 72.7; Southern low-income rural Blacks, 71.2; and, high-risk urban Blacks, 71.1 years. By State, Hawaii leads the nation with the longest life expectancy at 80, and Hawaiian women at 83.2. Minnesota follows at 78.8 and Utah at 78.7.

In Tomigusuku City, Japan, a report shows that in year 2000, women lived to 89.2 years and men, to about 82, and in Wara

With old age comes the signs and symptoms of normal wear and tear of any machine, and the human body is one machine that is no exception. As such, the immense tribulation that is inherent with growing old poses great limitations on the person, physically, psychologically, and socially. How the individual copes with all these difficulties depends on the lifestyle he/she has lived, his/her philosophy, discipline, and attitude in life.

At 92, my mother was still watching her diet and at 97, had replaced her decades-old regimented walking with her daily home video-guided (Leslie Sansone’s Walk by the Pound) mild exercises. She passed away a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, at age 101.

Alphonse Karr put it eloquently when he wrote “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

Seeing only the hole in a donut, missing the ring of bread around it, or a glass as half-full and not as half-empty, defines a person’s point of view and outlook in life. I personally believe that not taking any risk at all is the greatest risk in life and that success comes only to those who have the courage to fail. The natural infirmities and difficulties that accompany old age are the risks we should all gladly accept as we face the sunset of our life with gratitude and dignity.

However challenging and often times frustrating growing older might be, the blessing of a long and fairly healthy life is a privilege. While getting old is a problem, growing old is a solution, in spite of all the aches and pains that come with the package. Life is tough, and more especially so for the seniors. Growing old is, indeed, not for sissies or the faint of heart.

But let’s be realistic and face it, we’ve got only one other option. That option is to stop aging. And the only way to achieve that alternative is to die young. Not a palatable nor a more attractive alternative, indeed. Sadly, many are denied the privilege of growing old. Since we cannot control and direct the winds in our voyage through this sometimes harsh ocean of life, we can at least, to quote a wise man, “adjust our sails,” and find happiness and peace during our journey and wherever fate takes us.

Living to the fullest with all our faculties and abilities to help ourselves and others, and be able to continue enjoying, laughing and sharing our wisdom with, and helping guide our children, grandchildren, great grandkids, and friends, making a positive difference in our society, smelling the flowers along the way, and savoring this magnificently wonderful world of ours (in spite of all man-induced imperfections and calamities), are, indeed, a sacred privilege. It is a blessing we should all look forward to with an upbeat frame of mind, and one to be truly grateful for. After all, not everyone is granted and blessed with this privilege. So, as we enjoy the youth of our life, let’s lead a healthy lifestyle, show compassion for our less privileged fellowmen, and set good examples for our children to emulate. As years fly by, let us relish each day to the hilt, as if each day would be our last, and at the same time, let us pray for a life of good health, love, happiness, peace, and the privilege of growing old to enjoy them.

COVID-19 updates

As of 8 a.m. (EST), Tuesday, February 21, the worldwide total was 678,868,239 cases of COVID-19, with 6,792,200 deaths; USA – 104,996,288 cases, with 1,142,704 deaths; and the Philippines, 4,075,611 cases and 66,039 deaths. The average daily number of cases in the United States is still more than 39,000 (per day!) with around 430 deaths a day on average. Vaccination rate is around 82 percent; only about 34 percent have received the booster shot. The unvaccinated individuals are more likely to get infected and 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19. The XBB.1.5 is the dominant variant at 74 percent of all cases nationwide. Fully vaccinated people could still get infected, for various personal reasons, so let’s be vigilant and careful. Arrogance could kill.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

Consul General in San Francisco

Neil Ferrer paid a courtesy call on San Francisco’s new Chief of Protocol Maryam Muduroglu at the San Francisco City Hall last January 26.

Consul General Ferrer extended his congratulations to Muduroglu on her appointment as the city’s new Chief of Protocol. He also thanked the support of the City Mayor’s Office of Protocol to the Consulate through the years.

Muduroglu conveyed that her office is ready to welcome visiting Philippine officials to the city, and to assist the Consulate in making their visits meaningful. Both officials discussed forthcoming activities, including the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting that will be held in San Francisco in November, possible visits of Philippine senior officials to San Francisco this year, and cultural programs and events, including the sister-city relations between Manila and San

DORIS Trinidad Gamalinda, poet, essayist, and editor of several national publications, died on Monday, February 13, 2023, in Manila. She was 95.

Have I told you lately that I love you — and how to avoid scams?

VALENTINE’S Day just passed. Maybe you sent a card to your grandmother, grandfather, or the older adult in your life. But if you haven’t told them lately that you love them, pick up the phone and call, too. While you’re catching up, remind them that you’ll never pressure them to wire you money or buy you gift cards — but a scammer might.

Scammers use fake family emergencies to target older adults. They call pretending to be a grandkid in trouble, or a lawyer or police officer on the scene.

They ask for money, but once the grandparent finds out there was no emergency, the scammer’s gone — and so is their money. You may not get these scam calls, but chances are you know someone who will get one — if they haven’t already. Sharing is caring. Here’s what you might say to help an older adult in your life spot a scam:

• “I’ll never call and ask you to send money for an emergency. That’s a scam. Hang up!” No matter who a caller claims to be, resist the urge to send money immediately. If they ask you to pay in ways that are hard to trace

— by wiring money, sending a money order, or paying with gift cards, reloadable cards, or cryptocurrency — that’s a scam.

• “If someone pressures you to secretly send money to get me (or someone you know) out of trouble, that’s a scam. Slow down and check it out.” Scammers don’t want you talking to anyone else and realizing it’s a scam. Don’t keep it quiet, especially if you can’t reach the person who’s supposed to be in trouble. Call someone else you trust to help figure out whether there’s really an emergency. Learn more about scams that target older adults at ftc.gov/ PassItOn and report scammers to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (Terri Miller,?Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)

Francisco.

Muduroglu was appointed by San Francisco Mayor London

Breed in November 2022, succeeding the city’s longtime Chief of Protocol Charlotte

Doris Trinidad, as she is known in journalism and literary circles, is the mother of Marisse Gamalinda-Abelgas, former editor of the Philippine Post and Hiyas Magazine, and motherin-law of Val G. Abelgas, publisher-editor of the Los Angeles-based Philippine Post. She is also the mother of awardwinning New York-based poet, novelist and journalist Eric Gamalinda.

Born Adoracion Trinidad on November 15, 1927, to school teacher Aurora Cañizares and lawyer Jesus Trinidad, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, summa cum laude, from the University of Santo Tomas, where she was also Assistant Literary Editor of The Varsitarian. She also attended high school at the Holy Ghost College (later College of the Holy Spirit) and was Valedictorian at Legarda Elementary School, a few steps from her ancestral home in Sampaloc, Manila.

She began her writing career as a section editor for the Manila Times until its closure during Martial Law in 1972, and later worked as associate editor for Focus Manazine, editor of the Times Journal’s People Magazine and the Journal’s lifestyle editor.

In 1980, she joined the staff of the National Media Production Center, and a year later became editorin-chief of Woman’s Home Companion, during which time she turned the magazine into the most widely circulated lifestyle magazine in the country.

She retired in 1995 and devoted her later years pursuing her first love — writing — and rapidly published a succession of books, including Looking Glass (essays, New Day Publishers, 1991); Permutations of Love (essays, Anvil Publishing, 1996); The Way of the Miracle (essays, Giraffe Books, 1998); Mysteries and Memories (essays, Giraffe Books, 2000); and Now and Lifetimes Ago (poetry, Giraffe Books, 2001). She also published Two Voices (poetry, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2012 ) with Gloria G. Goloy.

In addition, her poems were also included in the

Mailliard Shultz. She is a native San Franciscan and an active member of the community. She has served on the board of several notable San Francisco organizations. g anthology Babaylan (Aunt Lute Books, San Francisco, 2000).

Mysteries and Memories was awarded Book of the Year by the Manila Writers Circle.

In his introduction to the book, F. Sionil Jose noted “the felicity of language that only a poet can muster, the depth of perception and the illumination that clear thinking brings.”

Eugenia DuranApostol, in her introduction to Permutations of Love, said: “She rises above mere journalese and ends up enchanting you with single-topic literary musings, many of them poems-in-the-rough, almost-poems, not-quitepoems, unmetered poems. For by nature, Doris is a poet.”

Her alma mater UST also honored her with the Ustetika Award in 2006 and Philets Owl Award in 2010.

Doris Trinidad’s work explored the interconnectedness of writing, personal history, and memory, placing great value on the significance of family, friendships, art and literature, spirituality, and even politics and personal loss. Throughout her life, she remained a relentless student of the great metaphysical mysteries and the quest for God and meaning, and of being and becoming. She wrote: “I will just remind you of the treasures that might be lying in your own mind, buried for years by layers of more pressing, more recent experiences. Find a quiet corner and a restful moment to coax them out. They are part of what you are.”

Doris Trinidad Gamalinda was married to the late Marcial Gamalinda, Jr., and the mother of eight children, Marcial III (“Bunny”); Marisse Abelgas; Marco; Celine Borromeo; Eric; Diana; Marvin; and Miel Lanting. Her siblings included the late Agnes Tolosa, formerly Dean of Student Affairs at the College of the Holy Spirit, and the late Dr. Juvenal Trinidad of the UST Faculty of Medicine. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren.

Viewing was held at St. Peter’s Memorial Chapels in Quezon City, and she was interred on Feb. 19 at Loyola Memorial Park. g

And after answering questions from Kapamilya, Atty. Gurfinkel sits down with Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa co-founder Muyie Cuento, who shares “beauty secrets” and their impact on the community they serve. Tune in to Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 26 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen