Long time but flickering.
This was what Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile thought as he turned 99 years old on Valentine's Day.
Enrile celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with a thought that his years of existence "are but a fleeting moment," to which he said: Ce'est la vie!
The long-time politician took to social media his gratitude for the well wishes he received on his birthday and left his thoughts about turning 99.
"Ninety-nine year is a long time in terms of years, but a flickering moment in terms of eternity. Ce'est la vie! That is where we are all going. It is a race no one wishes to win!" Enrile wrote.
"To everyone who greeted me or will greet me on my 99 years on this planet, thank you very, very much, and happy Valentine's day to all of you. I love you all. 99 years are, indeed, long in term of years, and I thank God for granting me those years," he added.
"But in terms of eternity, those seemingly long years are but a fleeting moment. Nonetheless, thank you Lord for the years you gifted me; for the protection you blessed me; and for all the blessings you have generously given to me and to my family; and the friends you, Lord, allowed me to have during my lifetime. Thank you dear God for this day!" he went on.
Enrile, a lawyer, has had a long and storied career in politics. Under the administration of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., he served as secretary of finance; secretary of justice; and minister of national defense from 1966 to 1986.
Enrile, who was an ally of Marcos Sr. before and during the martial law era, also played a major role in the ouster of the then president as one of the public figures who launched a coup against him.
He served as Senator for four terms including Senate President from 2008 to 2013.
Many years later, Enrile was back as a presidential appointee after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son and namesake of Marcos Sr., tapped him as his chief legal counsel.