53 is not just a number; it’s the Golden Age of Peter.
When I wake up tomorrow, I will be 53.
And because I plan my days, weeks, months, and years in advance, I know that I will be a new man.
My body will be one day older than today, one year older from the same day last year.
***
I have grown a lot in 2021.
Intellectually, I’ve read more books, and watched more films than ever.
Creatively, I’ve written a lot; and although I only published mostly online, and in Panay News, I know that my stuff have a lot of maturity, craftsmanship, and even astute awareness of 21st century literature.
***
I got most of the things that I wanted in 2021.
Despite the pandemic, despite the various Covid-19 variants.
I began to travel again, after getting vaccinated.
And I’m still on my Pink Ambassadorial Tour of Europe, ain’t I?
As for boys and my sexlife, well…
I am happy to report that I’m doing very well in that department despite the circumstances, thank you very much!
***
Very honestly, I still feel vitally young.
In fact, I intend to run more in 2022.
Maybe even have a steady boyfriend, and enjoy romance once again like a teenager in love.
Emotionally, I’m now very grown and mature; but I can still choose to be “childlike.”
And there lies the difference: childishness, and choosing to be childlike.
***
At least two of my oldest friends called me childish for unfriending them on social media because they support a different presidential candidate.
I will not honor their statements here.
But here’s my wisdom: Why would I let you argue with me on social media about your lying thief of a candidate?
***
Why would I clutter my 53-year-old fabulous self with your stupid choices?
Why would I respect your idiotic views that are fueled by fanaticism and misinformation?
I do not need you in my life, for anything at all, if your political view vexes me.
I promise you, I will never ever go to you, for any favors or any assistance in the future.
I hope you can say the same to me.
***
I’m freaking 53 tomorrow!
If I were 35, I will respect your political opinion; and we can remain friends despite our varying positions.
But I’m 53, wiser, smarter, wealthier, and monied.
“I have seen things that a woman ain’t supposed to see.
I’ve been to paradise,” and I’ve been to my core.
I’m confident that I know better than 95% of the people on this planet.
So, if you aren’t smarter and wiser like me at 53, you can just f*ck off!
***
I want my golden years to be surrounded by Joy, Peace, Happiness, and Love.
2021 has validated for me that we are fighting so many things just to survive.
The pandemic is probably the biggest thing; but so is the ignorance of people, and the rise of misinformation online.
***
There were harsh natural calamities in 2021, likely the result of climate change that many people are still denying.
There’s smart-shaming and the cancel culture propagated by ignorant people and paid trolls on social media.
There are wilder, and wilder Covid-19 variants because we are unable to vaccinate all people (due to their stubborn ignorance, or due to institutional poverty).
***
Tell me, is it fair for you to add stress to my 53-year-old self?
In most likelihood, you will regret and cry about your stupid choices after the elections.
And if we are still friends, you would most likely come to me for help.
Do I really want to be in the position of the one to say, “I told you so?”
At 53, it’s easier for me to just say, “F*ck you, and f*ck off.”
***
We are not 18-year-olds anymore.
There is not much time to regret our decisions.
There may not even be time to make things better.
The Philippines elected Marcos in 1965.
Re-elected him in 1969.
Not content with two terms, he declared Martial Law in 1972, a few months before the next scheduled elections.
And he held on to power until 1986.
That’s 17 years from his legal mandate of 1969.
***
If you can’t see that, and think that I’ve gone crazy conjuring these things, do I really deserve you as a friend?
Again, if we were 20 years old, I could forgive you.
I could still pray that you will be smarter, and see things differently after 30 years.
But if you are 50, and still don’t think like I do, I don’t want you in my life.
Because, let’s face it, you are miserable; and I am not.
***
Bottom line, I am enjoying my life now because of my smart choices since I became politically aware at age 14, when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated under the Marcos dictatorship.
Whatever wealth and health I have now are because of my brilliant mind and game plan.
How dare you mess up my 50s state of mind with your stupidities!
***
At 53, I’d rather be without friends than be stuck with stupid, idiotic friends.
If no friend remembers me tomorrow, I can always say, “Happy 53rd birthday to me!”/PN
