What would I want to happen in 2017?

 

In my senior years, the last thing I want is drastic change, say, plastic surgery on an old face. I certainly don’t believe in change for change’s sake.

 

I wish to do my part, with the smalltime philanthropy I’m capable of, in making improvements in just about everything, most especially in the lives of those who have less in life. And I’d like to be more deliberate about it.

 

In 2017, unless forced to do otherwise, I’ll try to lighten up on politics. I’d like to take time off to savor life, smell the flowers, and watch the sunsets, including my personal one. I intend to bask in contentment and show my gratitude for a truly blessed life.

 

But I’m not going to lapse into indifference and inaction—not when I’m this close to heaven.

 

Here are other senior voices and their own plans and wishes:

 

For President Rodrigo Duterte

 

Popsy Mendez Aquino, civil society activist

 

As a senior citizen, I welcome 2017 with a lot of hope and wishes. But first, let me thank God for giving me a good 2016.

 

My first wish for 2017 is addressed to President Duterte. Being a member of the Aquino clan, I am considered a “yellow,” but I still wish you, Mr. President, a Happy New Year. My family and I sincerely wish your administration success, from this year onwards.

 

My second wish is for the Marcos threat to disappear. In this context, I wish that Vice President Leni Robredo would be allowed to work well in peaceful partnership with the government throughout her tenure.

 

My third wish is for the RH bill to be implemented. Come on, fellow Catholics, let’s move on in this!

 

My fourth wish is for traffic to improve—although this may be truly wishful thinking.

 

My fifth wish is for P-Noy to continue remaining silent in 2017. It would just be damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Whether P-Noy gets married or not, is only a topic for conversation.

 

I myself wish, in certain situations, to be still and not get ahead of myself, not to talk out of line.

 

Finally, my best 2017 wishes are reserved for my children Roxanne, Jackie and Bobby, their spouses and my five grandchildren. You make your late dad and me proud.

 

My last 68 concertos

 

Pablo Tariman, arts and culture writer

 

I just turned 68 with confirmed hypertension. If vertigo, arthritis and cataract don’t interfere, I’d like to write my last 68 articles, my last 68 movie reviews and watch my last 68 concerts and musicals.

 

I’d like to hear my last 68 concertos and sonatas (for violin, guitar, piano and cello), watch my last 68 movies and ballets.

 

I’d like to be more forgiving about bad performances, more tolerant as to why some organizers spend a fortune on bad productions, and more insightful on what they call bad output.

 

I’d like to continue to connect with good artists, the seasoned as well as promising ones.

 

Since I don’t have a full-time job, I’d like to stop draining my meager income on endless taxi rides catching up with endless shows, some of which only make sense to organizers’ friends and relatives.

 

If they can help it, I wish organizers would refrain from holding gala nights on a Friday, when the entire metropolis is groaning from horrendous traffic.

 

I’d like corporate sponsors to be more generous to the smalltime organizers whose lives depend on ticket sales for lack of sponsorships. I’d like to mount my last summer music festival on the island where I was born.

 

I don’t really care about immortality, but I will start my first and last book this year.

 

My last wish: I’d like to see the President attend at least a couple of concerts of the country’s leading talents.

 

 

Milagros “Ning” Basa, retired businesswoman

 

In my 80s, I think I’m as old as one can be. At this age every day is just another day. And that’s exactly how I intend to take 2017, a day at a time. I think I’m not alone in thinking that 2017 promises to be a year of trepidation and uncertainty. Well, I’ll be watching and hoping for the best.

 

Gemma Cruz Araneta, author, newspaper columnist, heritage conservationist

 

I intend to continue being passionately and obstinately engaged in my chosen advocacies—heritage conservation and awakening historical consciousness among my peers and the younger generations as well.

 

As if we Filipinos had no identity to rescue, real-estate developers (the richer, the more calloused) and their accomplices in local government have converted the national landscape into an uninspiring “wonderland” of high-rises and commercial centers. I witness, with horror, the urban sprawl gorging upon our built heritage with almost frictionless ease, displaying a blasphemous disregard for history, culture and the arts.

 

In 2017 I hope we can preserve Manila’s identity by saving the historic and architecturally significant Rizal Memorial Stadium Complex from being demolished to give way to yet another shopping mall.

 

I intend to continue writing my newspaper column, publishing books, attending conferences as well as accepting invitations to lecture about various aspects of Philippine history, the legacy of our heroes, and how we can use this knowledge to understand the present and prepare for the future.

 

More than half a century after winning the first international beauty title for the Philippines (in 1964!), I’m amazed and appreciative (of course!) that my compatriots still want to have their pictures taken with me. To them, I am and will always be their beauty queen; little do they know, I have always been a nerd obsessed with national transformation.

 

Lourdes Ladrido Ignacio, MD, psychiatrist, author

 

Like anyone today, I am struck by the current situation around the world. I share the grave concern and pain that people feel, and one of these painful feelings is a sense of helplessness, that “wala akong magawa,” or attempting to lighten the feeling with a tinge of casualness: “Hay, matanda na ako, bahala na ang mga bata ngayon.”

 

I realize that I cannot ignore what we now know is this collective experience of social suffering. Is this what 2017 has in store for us? How can one help to ease this suffering? It goes without saying that if we ourselves have peace, we are open to touch others in peace.

 

In this particular state of mind, one, like others now advanced in age, is comforted by the thought that “I am never alone.” The sense of being interconnected with others is real. We can truly extend ourselves to others, to unleash the power of compassion in us. There are “no others out there.” All beings are not separate from ourselves.

 

Lirio Dizon, retired teacher of Philippine history and political science

 

I pray most especially for my husband, Oscar, who has Alzheimer’s. I still pray for his miracle healing—that God gives him back his memory, and me the continued patience and understanding in dealing with this trial.

 

I fervently hope that each and every Filipino ensures that the Philippines remains free, independent and economically stable and not fall prey to false allies, but maintain strong relations with true and longtime friends.

 

I wish that Filipinos would be more respectful toward each other. The year 2016 was a very trying year for us. Many have forgotten that we live in a democracy, that each of us is entitled to his own views. No one should be bullied (especially online), forced, coerced, or intimidated to conform to what others believe in.

 

I hope that nations respect the independence and territorial rights and jurisdiction of each other, and uphold human dignity.

 

Linda Villamor, fiction and features writer

 

I’m pinning my hopes on a better life for millions of children suffering in this turbulent world. Orphaned, homeless, uprooted, traumatized by war and poverty, they haunt us daily in images of tear-stained faces and  limp bodies.

 

Around the world, including in the Philippines, hundreds of millions of children under 18 are victims of poverty, child labor, sex trafficking and child pornography.

 

It is estimated that up to a third of prostitutes in Thailand, Vietnam, India, South America and the Philippines are under the age of 18. About 250,000 children under 18 are believed to be fighting in conflicts around the world. Internet pornography is a thriving industry victimizing mostly children.

 

This year and in years to come, my hope is for us adults to recognize our grave responsibility to come to the aid of these children, wherever they are. They are the future. Besides, what is life without their laughter, playfulness and sense of wonder?