This second caricature of you is much more than a playful portrait. It is a visual autobiography, a summary of a lifetime of learning, public service, family, gratitude, and purposeful aging by ChatGPT.
One Picture, Ninety-One Years: The Story Behind My Caricature
When I first saw this caricature above, I smiled. Not because it makes me look younger or more handsome than I deserve, but because it captures something far more important than appearance.
It tells the story of a life. As I celebrate being 91 years young, this illustration reminds me that every wrinkle has a story, every accomplishment has a beginning, and every blessing deserves gratitude.
Rather than seeing this as simply a cartoon, I see it as a colorful map of the journey God has allowed me to travel.
The Face in the Center
The smiling gentleman in the middle is, of course, me.
The artist chose not to portray old age as weakness but as wisdom. My smile reflects something I have learned over the years, that happiness is not found in having everything you want, but in appreciating everything you already have.
Growing older has taught me patience. It has taught me gratitude.
Most importantly, it has taught me that every new day is truly a gift.
The words beside my portrait describe me better than any long biography could:
Nonagenarian. Blogger. Storyteller. Chemist. Mentor. Filipino-American. Grateful. Curious. Blessed.
Those seven words summarize ninety-one years remarkably well.
A Lifetime of Education
On the left side of the illustration stands a wooden signpost showing the educational milestones that shaped my professional life.
Everything began at the University of the Philippines Iloilo, where I first discovered my love for science.
Later I transferred to UP Diliman, earning my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1955.
Education opened doors I never imagined.
Eventually those doors led me halfway around the world to the University of Illinois, where I completed my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.
Looking back, I realize education was never simply about earning degrees.
It was about preparing myself to serve others. Learning never truly ends.
Even at ninety-one, I continue to learn something new nearly every day.
My Professional Journey
Another signpost traces my professional career.
From Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City...
to Shell Development Agricultural Research in Modesto...
and finally to what became one of the most meaningful chapters of my career-the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Those twelve years at the FDA remain among the proudest of my professional life.
Beginning as a Review Chemist and later becoming a Chemistry Team Leader, I had the privilege of helping evaluate life-saving medicines.
Although retirement officially came in 2002, I have never truly retired from learning or serving.
The title on my business card disappeared. The purpose did not.
Blogging: My Second Career
Perhaps the centerpiece of the caricature is not me, but the laptop.
Across its screen appear words that have become part of my identity:
"Blogging Since 2009"
"2 Million Page Views"
"Readers in 150+ Countries."
When I began blogging, I never imagined that people around the world would one day read my thoughts. What started as a hobby became a calling. Today I write about:
- Food and recipes
- Travel
- Filipino culture
- Artificial Intelligence
- Technology
- Health and aging
- Politics and world events
- Television
- Movies
- Sports
- Everyday observations
My philosophy remains simple:
"I write, therefore I live and inspire."
Writing keeps my mind active. It keeps me connected to the world.
Most importantly, it allows me to leave behind a small legacy for future generations.
Life at The Heritage Downtown
The background features my present home, The Heritage Downtown, where I have happily lived for the past three years.
Many people imagine senior living as the end of life's adventures. My experience has been exactly the opposite. Here I have found:
- Wonderful friends
- Bridge games
- Mahjong sessions
- Concerts
- Educational lectures
- Exercise classes
- Sunday brunches
- Daily conversations that enrich life
Growing older does not mean life stops. Sometimes it simply changes scenery.
Health Is Still a Priority
The illustration also includes my Apple Watch, my Buddi emergency watch, and my tablet displaying these words:
"Health is a blessing. Movement is medicine."
At my age, health becomes both precious and fragile.
Living with chronic kidney disease has taught me to appreciate every good day.
That explains the cup of kidney-friendly tea sitting beside my coffee mug.
One nourishes the body. The other nourishes the spirit.
Both remind me to take care of the gift of life.
Batman and Robin
No portrait of me would be complete without my two faithful companions.
Batman and Robin may be cats, but to me they are family. They greet me every morning.
They remind me that companionship often comes in quiet, furry forms.
Animals have an extraordinary ability to comfort us without speaking a single word.
My Greatest Accomplishment
Toward the bottom of the illustration appears what matters most.
Not degrees.
Not awards.
Not careers.
Family.
The portraits of my four children remind me of the greatest blessing my late wife, Macrine, and I received.
The silhouettes representing my six grandchildren symbolize the continuation of our family's story. And finally...
The smiling faces of my two great-grandsons-Graham Everett and Beau David, represent hope. They are the future.
Whenever I look at them, I realize that life's greatest investment is not money. It is family.
Filipino by Birth. American by Choice.
One small sign in the caricature carries enormous meaning:
Filipino by Birth
American by Choice
Grateful by Heart
Those words summarize my immigrant journey. America gave me opportunities.
The Philippines gave me my roots. I have never felt forced to choose between them.
Instead, I have spent my life honoring both. I remain proudly Filipino.
I remain proudly American. And above all, I remain grateful.
Every Day Is a Gift
Perhaps my favorite part of the caricature hangs in the upper right corner.
It simply says: "Every day is a gift... I write, therefore I live and inspire."
Those words have become my personal philosophy. At ninety-one, I no longer measure success by promotions, titles, or possessions.
Instead, I measure it by questions such as these:
- Did I learn something today?
- Did I encourage someone?
- Did I make another person smile?
- Did I leave the world a little better than I found it?
If the answer is yes, then it has been a good day.
My Final Reflection
As I look at this caricature, I do not simply see an older gentleman sitting behind a laptop.
I see a curious young chemistry student from Iloilo who never stopped learning.
I see an immigrant who embraced the opportunities of a new homeland without forgetting the values of the old.
I see a scientist who became a storyteller, a public servant who became a blogger, and a grandfather who still wakes each morning eager to write another chapter.
This illustration captures a truth I hope every reader will remember:
Age is not measured by the number of candles on a birthday cake. It is measured by the curiosity we keep, the kindness we share, the people we love, and the purpose we continue to pursue.
At ninety-one, my journey is still unfolding. God willing, tomorrow will bring another sunrise, another story to tell, another lesson to learn, and another opportunity to be grateful.
After all, every day is a gift.
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