The View from Rizal
By GOV. JUN A. YNARES, M.D.
August 28, 2011, 8:00am
from www.mb.com.ph
MANILA, Philippines — Last Friday, August 26, I was at the launching of Project EXCITE by the University of Rizal System (URS).
The affair underscored the commitment of the URS to keep raising the standards of its information technology and English courses – two learning fields that help young people become globally competitive.
At the launch were two of Rizal provinces most esteemed elders: Former Congressman Gilberto “Bibit” Duavit and former Governor Casimiro “Ito” Ynares Jr. who marked his 65th birthday on that occasion.
For the most part of that program, I watched on the sideline, amused by the never-ending banter between the former Congressman and the former Governor. It dawned on me that one of the most important factors contributing to their longevity – both in life and in politics – is humor. This made me think that, maybe, if one can focus on what is funny in most situations, one can live a long and healthy life.
But amid his trademark humor, Gov. Ito caught my attention with two words in the vernacular which he used in his closing remarks. He said, “kupas na ako pero hindi ako laos.”
I guess that can be translated more or less as, “I may be faded but I am not obsolete.”
The simple, casual, joking remark struck home.
I thought, “fading away is inevitable, but could one really prevent obsolescence?
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