My 86th Birthday Speech (Delivered on May 23rd pre-birthday luncheon celebration held at Maggiano’s Old Orchard)

By: Veronica Leighton

 

I have thought of sharing the speech that I delivered on my 86th pre-birthday party, as my friends and guests really liked it, even some asking for a copy of it. Here it is…

“Welcome to my Senior Debut birthday of 86! At this exciting age of 86, I want to update you on what’s going on in my life. When I was young, I thought the age of 70 was very, very old. I did not actually enjoy Editorialisttalking with the oldies much, as what I would constantly hear was about their aches, pains and medications that they take. Nowadays, it seems that I pass the limits in the numbers of seniors age at 86, and actually experiencing the aches, pains, and tortures in walking straight, missing my 3-inch heels and sexy clothings, and going places and dining around, the fun parts of my young years.

At this old age, I still love and enjoy helping the community with grace and talent in my media work. I strongly refuse the seniors’ ailments to mentally and physically intimidate me. And I still enjoy to party, and try to avoid visits to funeral homes to bid farewell to friends and relatives. Today, I want to say special thanks to my dear family and friends and VT/CPRTV staff who have been there with me and have seen me from young, good times to my seniors’ fading years.

To my ever-dearest friends and companions who pick me up and deliver me to parties, yes, I still party and publish our parties in Via Times pages….Faye Mendiola, Gerry Rebello, Dely Villalon, Liza Vasich, Pastor Nancy, Girlie & James, Melody & Chie, and sister Neneth and my son, Bobby; and Robert who grooms me, of course. And, I must confess that I still enjoy this life that God has given me. Here’s looking forward with more parties to come to share with you.

Before I leave this podium, I would like to recognize my seniors guests who are present today and are following my footsteps. Please stand proudly as I call your age groups…65 to 74, you are the young seniors; 75 to 84, you are the middle seniors; 85 and up, you are the late and really old seniors. Thank you for listening to my tale, I love you, and enjoy life before you’re too damned old like me, the late and really old senior like me!” Happy Philippine Independence and Mabuhay tayong lahat and Long Live to all of us! Please enjoy the birthday photos in inside pages.

Enjoying Destin, Florida

With my sis Neneth, assisting for the candle blowing of birthday cake.