We make a big deal when someone turns 21; how it’s adulthood, the age of majority, and a milestone in one’s life journey. And while it is a time for fun and celebration, the other face of the “21 coin” is how it’s also about making significant life decisions about career, relationships, and personal identity. We’ll all remember what happened that day we turned 21. So what am I supposed to make of today, April 12, 2026, and my reaching half a century past that momentous 21?

First off, rather than a milestone, 71 is more like a millstone! A millstone is literally a heavy, circular stone that was used historically to grind grain into flour; but metaphorically, is used to represent a restrictive, heavy burden, or acute liability. And if we’re engaging in wordplay, then let me just say that aging is no “acute liability.” Far from being cute, it’s a truly tedious, exhausting liability; where health becomes the most essential thing one wishes for.

Think about it; at 71, it’s not like I’m going to be a new hire, or enter the next chapter of my career or life. It’s all proverbial sunsets in my life’s forecast. I may be an old dog, but I like to believe I can still learn new tricks – although they’re bound to happen in a slow burn manner – in other words, don’t hold your breath waiting, as you might asphyxiate. So yes, physical health and maintaining our cognitive faculties are what’s primary on our wish, and bucket, lists.

Perception, memory, reasoning, attention, and language are the specific mental capabilities that form the cognitive faculties we all aspire to maintain and preserve, praying none of them diminish or get impaired. I really hate it when so many ailments or physical issues I get, are now attributed to “you’re getting old, and that’s all there is to it.” Like many Filipinos, I do have the gift for living in denial; and I’ll include the healthy status of my physical and mental states for as long as I can hold on to them, keeping truth at bay.

And that’s why one’s Annual Executive Check Up (ECU) are so vital. The recommendation is to start having them no later than when you reach 40; and I’ll be first to admit I was remiss. It was Issa (Litton) who forced me to start having them, and that was back in 2014, when I was already 59. But I’ve had them religiously since, and I’ll credit them for detecting my Stage 1 Prostate Cancer in 2021 – had Brachytherapy, and knock on wood, I have my Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test every six months, and I’ve been clear so far.

Just the other week, I headed back to The Medical City (TMC) Ortigas for their ECU Platinum Plus Male Package. It’s a comprehensive, high level preventive health checkup that’s designed for men aged 50 and up – and I had it as an out patient. I checked in at 7 a.m. and was out by 1 p.m. There’s extensive diagnostic imaging, a battery of blood tests, and specialized consultations to help identify, manage, and/or prevent health issues and conditions.

Dr. Christian Flores has been my attending doctor for the two years I’ve chosen TMC as my health center of choice, and I’m not going to say if it’s his Star Wars fixation that swayed me to choose him over other doctors. Besides, what fixation? See my photo of Dr. Flores; or should I now rechristen him Hayden Christiansen Flores? To start, there’s a consultation with him to get him up to date with my health issues; like how I had a severe case of shingles earlier this year, in mid-January. And after all the procedures, I’ll have a post-ECU consultation a few days after.

One of the reasons I headed back to TMC is how their service, attention to detail, and supervision deserve top marks. A nurse is assigned to you and she or he truly endeavors to have you moving along to complete the various procedures that are lined up for you. You’ve fasted since the night before, so this is important, as after the blood extraction and the ultra sound tests, you’re made to have a meal before proceeding to the rest of the procedures.

Got my results that same afternoon! Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to get the alert that I could view the results, and while I know the true evaluation would be conducted with my attending doctor, was happy to send on my PSA results to my urologist. During the post consultation, things like Iron Overload were brought up and the suggestion to see a hematologist. So I appreciated how complete TMC was in providing a “snapshot” of my health status.

At the recent Healthcare Asia Awards 2026, The Medical City romped off with Hospital Group of the Year, Clinic Group of the Year, Medical Tourism Initiative of the Year, and Community Initiative of the Year. Accredited by the Joint Commission International, TMC continuously strives to raise the bar of healthcare in the country. It’s global excellence for every Filipino; and was happy to entrust TMC with my Executive Check Up – my birthday gift to myself.