How do retired seniors spend life in retirement? What are their thoughts about what place people like them may have in active society?

I actually came out of a life of retirement and began “working”—that is, making a more or less legitimate living—when everyone else was packing up upon hitting age 60. Leaving for me, therefore, seemed premature, if oddly so, since I just got here. Besides, among my circle of friends, no one looked or acted retired; they all seemed engaged and passionate about whatever they were doing.

Many of my peers, now in their mid-70s or early 80s, were, in fact, leading the pack in the heat of the political campaign, if not second wind of life itself, in their field of expertise or in new challenges. Everybody seemed busier and more meaningfully productive than ever, although not necessarily with the same things.

I decided to expand the topic and ask: Is 70 the new 40?

Forty seems so long ago, but more than the hot flushes and a marital breakup, it was the fearlessness to face the future, which has stayed visible and reachable.

I may have looked and heard better in my 40s, but, at 79, I’ve come to terms with almost everything. I feel the blood pressure and heart of a 40-year-old; I’m ready for anything!

Here are other senior voices on the subject:

Ana Olondriz

Are you listening, aching bones? Seventy is the new 40! The trick is to keep going, and to keep being. Travel and laugh with friends who have the same taste and the same pace. Continue doing what you love best, which for me is interior decoration, my profession. I am still as active as my age allows. It’s enough to keep me happy to wake up every morning. I pat myself on the back, because when life knocked me down, as when I lost my husband, I had the courage to look it in the eye and say, after a decent period of grieving, “I’m back.”

Are we still relevant? Of course, we are. Who will keep repeating the stories of “remember when” and “remember how,” even if only to one another?

Lali Trinidad

Seventy is just a number. (In fact, it’s a pretty low number, as I turned 77 on July 5.) True, my eyesight is more suited now for Soda Crush and Netflix than to books, but that hasn’t stopped me from keeping myself busy.

I exercise daily, working out with weights every other day. I also go to Mass almost every day—I only skip Mass when I play golf, which I do as often as three times a week. As a proud member of the Camp Aguinaldo Ladies Chapter, which competes in tournaments of the Women’s Golfer Association of the Philippines, I am able to score well enough to contribute to our team’s victory. I’m also an active member of the Senior Ladies Federation Golfers Association of the Philippines.

But life isn’t all about golf. I also keep myself busy with the Madonna del Divino Amore (MDDA) Parish as a member of its finance committee. When needed, I help the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish.

Despite our lack of business acumen, my husband Noel and I decided to acquire a Chowking franchise in 1998, and we still have one operating in Tanauan, my hometown. (We try to visit our store every other week.)

Although no longer a government official, I continue doing social service. Noel and I have put several children of our housemaid and employees through college, and continue paying for education of our driver’s 10-year-old son. As long ago as 1987, when I was still in Congress, I started supporting Tahanang Walang Hagdanan—and I haven’t stopped.

Yes, Noel and I still travel. Since we’re both retired, and are (happily) each other’s best friends, we absolutely love to travel together. Sometimes we are accompanied by our three children. It can be expensive, especially when the grandchildren come along, but we believe that the memories are priceless.

If I’ve learned anything in my 77 years on earth, it’s that life itself is priceless—and I intend to squeeze as much out of it as I can, while I can. So what if I don’t read as much now? My life is fuller than it has ever been. (And when my eyesight gets really bad, there’s always Soda Crush.)

Vella Damian

Sometimes I can’t believe I’m 80! But I must be, because after a fall, I am no longer comfortable in stilettos, which I wore all through my 70s.

I still teach ballet, and I don’t think I will ever stop. Is that not the spirit of a 40-year-old?

It’s not about recognition anymore. I have received more than my fair share of awards and honors for myself and my ballet school. I can rest on my laurels, and can’t ask for more.

I found love and passion in ballet. I may no longer dance the way I used to, but I love to teach young people. My teaching hours are sometimes long, 9 to 9, but I limit it to just a few days a week.

I seem to care more about our country, and many times I get so agitated with our politicians, who seem to be there only for themselves, their family and their cronies!

I make time to be with family and keep in close touch with old friends. We seem to keep each other young and happy. I’m enjoying the freedom that comes with age—the freedom of being single, but not alone.

Looking back, 70 was indeed great but whether or not it’s the new 40, it doesn’t much matter to me.

I may not be as young but some things don’t change—like my Theresian attitude about life, of being of service to others. I’m still the same prayerful optimist who hopes for the best for myself, my country and the rest of mankind.

Cora Lopa

Seventy is the new 40—I like that. That makes me 50! Seriously, 70 or 80 makes no difference at this point. For as long as we maintain a lively interest in all that goes on around us, keep our families and dear friends close and continue to make memories with them, stay in the mainstream of history as active participants, and not just as spectators, age won’t matter. We can, and still do, have engaged, fulfilling and enjoyable lives.

Mona Bautista

Seventy is a good place to be! I don’t feel flattered that people think I have the energy of a 40- or 50-year-old. I know I feel better than when I was 40. So 79 is better than 40!

Retired from taking care of my children, my new “endeavor” is making whoopee with my two-year-old grandson.

My volunteer work as pastoral counselor at the Edsa shrine keeps me busy. When the counselees don’t come, I talk with my fellow counselors about politics and our families. I do not feel left out even when the dining table is full of busy texters. But I feel left out of rallies protesting the blatant disregard of the people’s will.

Jo Guevara

Honestly, it’s as if I never left 40 (joke). But, really, I can’t imagine my mother playing golf at my age!

I pretty much try to maintain the same healthy, balanced life I’ve always lived. With the raising of children behind me, I have more time to do the things I really enjoy—bond with friends, dance, play golf, join prayer groups, engage in worthy causes, and smell the flowers, too!

I’m happy making other people happy; little acts of kindness, a smile, a small hello, a touch, a look, can brighten someone else’s dark day. Besides, it’s pretty lonely to be happy by yourself.

I still expect to be surprised. I’ll never be too old to wonder what serendipity a new day might bring.

Cleo Llamas

When I was in my teens, anyone over 40 was old. Now that I’m past 70, anyone below my age is young. Is 70 the new 40? Yes, if one believes life begins at 70!

I am a multitasker, so my focus depends on what I can remember I should be doing.

I retired from regular employment but not from family concerns, which have multiplied.

My time is no longer my own to spend. I have an activity planner that includes the time when the boys (grandsons) have to be picked up from school, their appointments with the orthodontist, etc.

I’m just as busy, since there seems no rest from family concerns nor from political activities and protests. I’m so exhausted at the end of the day and I’m too sleepy, in fact, to continue. I better end this before I stop making sense.