At the party we can look back and recall memories of youthful exuberance, and maybe show off the prosperity that followed as we progressed. To those who made it, congratulations. To those who were not so fortunate, no worries, long life is already a reward.

Really long life is staying alive in this planet earth for 70 years. Psalm 90:10 reads, "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Tony Baranda often asks, “who wants to live a hundred years?” You’d be a pasaway by then, without friends, without barkada, not to mention teeth falling off, hair refusing to grow, efficiency breaking down

and all the toil and trouble that go with old age. We’re leaving this planet and we’re leaving it gracefully, leaving behind a legacy. Our scholarship fund program is a first. The donations to our school is second. On top of the this, however, is the unpublished assistance to our classmates in need that makes our spirits richer. Matthew 6:4, "so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Five years more and we'll be celebrating our Golden Year in 2016. Nobody knows for sure if we'll make it, so why not make it in 2011 while we can. For those planning to come back to dear old country, plan to come in 2011, and as Abel used to say, "let's party!" /dmr