President Marcos was as curious as many Filipinos about the secret behind Juan Ponce Enrile's longevity.
So, finally, as Enrile, who serves as his chief legal counsel, turns 100 years old, he asked the lingering question about his longevity secret.
And the President shared it with the guests during the birthday bash of Enrile held at the Malacañan Palace on Valentine's Day.
"I know what all of you are thinking, 'Tito Johnny, what’s the secret? Tell us, what we have to?', “I want to be as smart as you, as clever as you, at 100 years old. And as active as you are at 100 years old, continuing to provide service to your country, continuing to give good advice, continuing to guide the way the Philippines can go'," Marcos said towards the end of his speech during Enrile's birthday lunch.
"And I asked him earlier when we were having lunch and I asked him, 'Tito, ano ba talagang sikreto (what is really the secret', he says, 'I don’t know because I don’t feel like 100. I still feel the same'," he revealed.
"So, I guess that’s the secret, that you don’t think about it very much," the President further said.
He also mentioned his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, as another example of someone "who did not get the memo" about being an elderly person.
"Another one who did not get the memo that she is actually supposed to be an elderly person. So, I guess we’ve [taken] our guidance from that," he said, referring to his mother who is approaching her mid-90s.
Enrile started his government service on Jan. 16, 1966 as Undersecretary of Finance.
He went on to hold numerous high-ranking positions such as Acting Finance Secretary and concurrent Acting Insurance Commissioner, Commissioner of Customs, and Acting Chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines from 1966 to 1968.
Enrile also served as Justice Secretary from 1968 to 1970, and Minister of National Defense during the term of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
He continued to serve in the legislative branch as former representative of the 1st District of Cagayan province and then a senator. He served four terms in the Senate.
Enrile returned to government service in 2022 as Presidential Legal Counsel of the Marcos Jr. administration. He was 98 then.
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