The Elderly & The Internet

Ever aware that Aging slows down and limits Activity and Mobility, as a Senior Citizen myself, I marvel at the boundless opportunities attendant with the Internet. Beyond E-mailing (which addresses the basic need to communicate), the Wealth-of-Information, derived from Internet Surfing, has made me (with an inquisitive mind) earn and enjoy - doing Internet-based Research with little effort.

Sharing my limited self-learned Internet lessons, I started to provide 2-hr Morning Tutorials ("Internet Class for Seniors") among my Elderly Friends residing nearby my residence (Meteor Homes Subdivision, Marikina City, Philippines) where I have my 11-seat Internet Cafe situated. Picked up and brought back home in my old VW Kombi as our Seniors' School Bus; taught to move the Mouse and place the Curser as needed; typing the Keyboard; discovering the ease of Emailing & Surfing - my Elderly Students (completing their 20 hours Hands-on Internet Course) found themselves Internet-empowered discovering endless opportunites in new Horizons-of-Life relative to their own respective interests.

Given the above, I believe that Internet-enabled Senior Citizens (residing all over the World) could continue being connected with Family & Friends regardless of distance and could remain relevant to our ever-changing World. In so doing, Life's Longivity need no longer become a boring meaningless wait for Life's Mortal End.

Tribute to an Elderly Couple

Sometime in May 1962, I visited a captivating pretty Lady who was busy helping Dad & Mom arrange their new Bungalow House along Ipil Street, Marikina Heights Subdivision, Municipality of Marikina. Following her Dad's retirement from Military Service, they had just relocated that very day from their former Officers' Family Quarters in Nichols Air Base. Many frequent visits followed thereafter leading to our Wedding year-end 1966. Little did I realize that in 1972, God would grant our Lovers' Dream of having our nest on "Top of the Hill" overlooking down her Parents' Home. Grace & I got to have our own modest 3-BR Bungalow House along Venus Street, Meteor Homes - a newly developed Residential Subdivision located along the highest hilly rolling terrain of Marikina. Here, we came to raise our own Family-of-5 - and to meet new Neighbors becoming old Friends in the course of time.

The late Kuya Celing and Ate Fe Reyes is one neighbor worthy of mentioning. Shortly after they relocated to their own fully-concrete Bungalow House along Mercury street, Meteor Homes (following Ate Fe's retirement as UP-Diliman Mathematics Professor), I took notice of Kuya Celing as an early morning Hiker-Walker (around Meteor Homes & surroundings) as part of his disciplined physical conditioning. In time, we came to seek each other's company as we shared common interests in the Wonders-of-Travel; in the Beautiful Scenery of the Countryside; in the Hospitality of the Rural Folks; in the preference for Simple Living; and in the uncompromising adherence to Integrity & Industry. After years of painful endurance to his terminal illness, he quietly died consigned to his mortal Fate - and yet remaining steadfast in the immortality of his Catholic Faith. By some strange coincidence, the late Kuya Celing was cremated on the very day that I was walking out of the Philippine Heart Center 6 days after a miraculously successful emergency quadruple Heart By-Pass surgery - May 2003.

Ate Fe continues on with Life as a solo-living Senior Citizen residing still in her Meteor house. I see much of my late Mother (Felicidad Cairo del Castillo) in Ate Fe - Teacher, Mother, Widow, Catholic Church-goer. Whenever Ate Fe fails to attend Sunday Mass in our Community Chapel, Grace & I would be concerned. My late Mother died at 84 yrs old - becoming suddenly and totally dependent in her last 2 years due to "Old Age" Health Complications. With God's Blessings, Ate Fe (at 83 yrs old) appears fairly in good health - and likely to live on for many more years. As I value Ate Fe's continuing bonding with her 2 Sons and 1 Daughter (all highly accomplished in their Mathematics Teaching Professions), I am even more amazed at her Creative Hobby for Water Color Paintings. The subjects of her Paintings are all Rural Sceneries - much like the late Kuya Celing's interest.

Kuya Celing, Ate Fe, and their Children epitomize traditional Filipino Values of Family Ties; of Academic Excellence; of Personal Integrity & Industry; of Simple Living & Self-sufficiency; of anonymous Generosity; - and of a vibrant Faith-in-God. Theirs is a good "Model Family" for the Filipino - and for all.

The Year that past ... The Year ahead!

01. Yr2005 had been a busy year - but still not financially rewarding. Nevertheless, as an eternal optimist, I look forward to better income from a mix of business opportunites in store for Yr2006. Consider:

• St Gabriel Columbary. Upon request from my Parish Priest (and my Co-workers in the parish) that I continue on, I remain as Project Manager. Despite a mix of "Starting-up" Difficulties in Yr 2005, we were able to solicit P4.5 million worth of "Donation Contracts" in exchange for donors' Choice-of-Crypts. Target "Donation Contracts" for Yr2006 could likely be P45 million. Please visit my website - http://columbary.blogspot.com;
• Felicidad Homes. Top Management of ABBEYFIELD International (a UK-based NGO with worldwide expertise in providing Housing & Healthcare for Seniors) met with me January 11, 2006 - purposely to have a "Look-See" of Barangay Marikina Heights, Marikina City, Metro Manila, Philippines where I (& my Founding Cooperators) plan to put up a specialty "Home-for-the-Elderly" to accomodate 30 solo-living Filipino Seniors. They have promised to share their expertise for free. Please visit my website - http://felicidadhomes.blogspot.com;
• DentaManila Labworks. My American Prospect (who came to visit me June 2005) has responded to my enquiry email and declared that he would be coming back to Manila (March 2006) to push forward our planned Manila-based Dental Laboratory specializing in C&B prosthetics outsourced from the USA;
• Philippine Logistics Academy. Further to my Son's request that I do him a Project Feasibility Study , I prepared a shortlist of Foreign Universities willing to offer their specialty degree & certificate courses in Logistics Management - in collaboration with select Manila-based reputable Local Universities. As Project Proponent, PLA would have exclusive Marketing Rights for this new evolving specialized post-graduate courses to Filipinos (& other Asians) wanting to enhance their Academic & Work Credentials which should eventually qualify our graduates for better Employment Opportunites in the USA & in the EU;

02. For now, Yr 2006 promises to be an exciting year. With God's blessings, I might just then be able to settle my long overdue debts. Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.

What I hope to do come Yr 2006 - WHEREVER Seniors are welcomed

• Given my expertise in Sales & Marketing, any job which would earn me the most. Despite my age (but, after my successful quadruple Heart By-Pass in May 2003 and declared by my Cardiologist as "fit to return to normal life"), I now feel that my BodyClock has been turned back 20 years younger. Hence, I could be a "Traveling Salesman" or a "Desk-bound Sales & Marketing Executive". I believe that I could still "sell" myself in any undertaking - in the Consumer &/or Industrial GOODS category, as well as, in the Professional SERVICES Category;
  
• Given my passion for Exports, any job which would bring me anywhere (including Overseas assignments) - IF I am convinced of my Host Country's Comparative Advantage &/or Competitive Edge. I have no travel restrictions;
  
• Given my Love-for-Country, any job which would promote "Fair Trade" between the Philippines and my Host Country by identifying the NEEDS of each country whereby One might be able to supply the Other - helping bring about a "Balanced Bilateral Trade";
  
• Given my Rural Exposure, any job which would make me relate with Rural Folks preferably engaged in high-value innovative Agriculture/Horticulture;
  
• Given my advocacy for Seniors' Welfare, any job relative to: (1st) Homes-for-the-Dependent Elderly, (2nd) Geriatric Healthcare, (3rd) Estate Planning & Management, (4th) Seniors' Legislation;
• Given my skill in Creative Writing in the English Language, any job which would allow me to flourish at Advertising Copy &/or Speech Writing;
• Given my Systems-oriented MindSet, any job which would make full use of my multi-disciplined experience in Corporate Organization;
• Given my experience in the Project Design and Management of a Parish-owned Columbary, any job which would be supportive of a Catholic Parish Lay Ministry;
• Given my interest in All-of-the-Above, any job where I could be of "Service-to-Others".

A Home for the Elderly

01. Mama gave me Life - but more than Life, she showed me the value of Caring-for-Others. By her own example: [1st, of reaching out to her aging sickly Sisters-in-Need dependent upon financial and material help Mama would inconveniently handcarry by herself during her yearly visitations back to her hometown; 2nd, of endlessly searching and rejoycing at the disappearance and re-appearance of my ran-away Sister yearning for independence from Mama's intolerant lifestyle; 3rd, of living frugally to attain Quality Education for her growing-up Children] Mama taught me, even ahead of the Jesuits, the real purpose of life - "In the Service of Others".

02. Mama died in Yr 2002, in her sleep, in her bed, in her home, at the Old Age of 84 yrs old. As she valued Privacy, Frugality, and Freedom, she chose to live all by herself all throughout her Lifetime - except the last 2 years. In Yr 2000, Rommel (my Son who was asked by Mama to live with his Wife and Daughter in the other house inside Mama's 2-house Residential Compound) co-incidentally caught sight of Mama vomitting blood and had to rush her to hospital. Mama was diagnosed to have a "glass stomach" caused by the overdose of Pain-killing Drugs prescribed by doctors for her Rheumatic Condition. Mama's failing memory caused the Drug Overdose brought about by self-medication. Returning back to her house (coming from the hospital) Mama reluctantly accepted the new reality that she had transformed from a Fully-Independent into a Fully-Dependent Elderly. Thereafter, Mama had to have 2 full-time (on 12-hrs rotation) Caregivers living-in with her. Her Caregivers prepared Mama's Meals, helped her with her Personal Necessities (in and out of the Bathroom), walked her in the sunlight around the yard, and saw to the timely taking of her Medicines. Despite the personal attention given her, Mama was gradually loosing Taste-for-Life - and was entering into a different Time Zone. Her waking hours would be Nightime - while she would mostly be asleep during the Daytime. Oftentimes, she would pine for the frequent visits of her Sons & Daughters - but, would want them out quickly because she believed that Time was "too costly" for them. She had lived a most challlenging life - all by herself and all for her children. And, as all her children were living separate lives of their own, she appeared lonely - with little purpose for Life.

03. I did entertain the thought of transfering Mama to a "Home-for-the-Aged". I thought that if Mama were to lived in a Community for the Elders, she would probably find Friends-of-her-Kind. To my surprise, Government-owned Homes-for-the-Aged took in only those abandoned and destitute. The one and only Privately-owned Senior Community Home near to her Children's Residences and to her Choice-of-Hospital was not only fully booked - but even, over-booked. The House Manager even encouraged me to put up another Senior Community Home purposely for Filipino Seniors living in the City.

04. As I see the day to come for me and those of my Generation blessed with a long life, wanting to live out our Last Years in a Community-of-Friends (similarly situated), I hope to get together a group sharing my vision of building a well-designed ground-level simple "Home-for-the-Aged" providing 30 individual private modestly-equipped quarters inside a 2000 M2 fully secured residential compound located near the center of Barangay Marikina Heights (Marikina City, Philippines) - purposely for the Dependent Senior Resident-Tenant. I plan to have this Gov't-encouraged "Special Facility" ready for occupancy within Yr 2006.

05. Are you with me?

My Credo in Life

• I believe in God, The Origin of Life, The Reason for & the End-all of my Being. As I am, one with all His Creation, in the Love of our Heavenly Father, I must do good - and bring goodwill to all;
• I believe in Country. As I was born a Filipino, I must contribute to my Country’s Good. Thus, I am a proponent for Countryside Industrialization and Export Development;
• I believe in the Filipino. His Malay origin (blended mostly with Spanish & American influences) has transformed him to become an international man. His many talents enables him to adapt and to excel in diversity;
• I believe in Family. It is the bedrock of Society. It is the sanctum of deepest feelings – and innermost peace. It is my Support-Group in an occasionally painful world;
• I believe in Time. Managing Time is both a Science –and an Art. As my Mortal Life will ultimately end, I have to account for “Borrowed Time”;
• I believe in Work. Activity is the actualization of a creative mind and the manifestation of my presence. Idleness has no place in my life. Rest is not idleness. Rest is Time to re-charge my mental and physical energy lost;
• I believe in Life. The joys and pains, the tears and thrills, the frustrations and fulfillments of our day-to-day Living is only preparatory to our Eternal Bliss in Heaven. My Second Life here on Earth makes me even more challenged - despite all odds.

My "Second Life" - Where, When, How?

01. Come January 2006, I shall be 62 yrs old. Despite my age and after having been declared by my Cardiologist "fit to return to normal life" after having had a successful Quadruple Heart By-Pass in May 2003, I consider myself in good health. I feel like I am 20 years younger. As I used to be a regular early morning 1-hr Jogger up until I was 40 yrs old, I now go for 30" Jogging in mornings when I feel like it. In any case, I would not miss my 30" daily morning gardening select Vegetables and Orchids. My Selling Job (2x weekly) nowadays would require me to walk around all day without difficulty. About the only change I notice in my BodyClock is that I would want to sleep 1 hr after lunchtime sometime in the mid-day - considering that I go to sleep at about 9:00 pm and awake at about 3:30 am.

02. I was an all-around Marketing Professional with a Multi-National Firm (an Industry Leader in the Philippines - and throughout the World) from 1964 to 1976. Thereafter, I had short periods of Contract Engagements in various Business undertakings - i.e. (1st) Managing a 60-man nationwide Sales Force distributing branded Tissue-Paper; (2nd) Overseeing a franchised Donut FastFood chain; (3rd) Preparing the Project Feasibility Study of a Fil-American JV-company wanting to establish a Philippine-based Export-oriented Industrial Air Filter factory - and seeing to its implementation; (4th) Providing a Package-of-Buying/Sourcing Services to Foreign Buyers sourcing Philippine Crafts departing from the Port-of-Manila; (5th) Consulting with select Client-SME Exporters specializing in their respective Crafts; (6th) Venturing into Cottage-level Micro-enterprise rural-based manufacturing operations by converting select Philippine-Indigenous RM into semi-finished exportable Fashion Goods - mostly needed for Housewares, Gift Packaging, Floral Supplies, etc.

03. My Business Concerns have made me familiar with nearly the entire Philippine Archipelago. I enjoyed and continue to marvel travelling around the beautiful Philippine Scenery, conversing with honest hospitable Filipino rural folks, and making do with clean modest low-cost accomodations wherever Night befalls upon me in the Countryside. Despite having attained good education in the "Best of Schools", having accumulated a wealth of Business Experiences, and having the support of my loving Family, I consider myself a "Financial Failure". I am in debt - and I would want to pay without delay.

04. I seek a financially prosperous "Second Life" here on Earth. I am open to relocation wherever the Spirit-of-God leads me - the sooner the better. Are you God-sent?