On February 14 (yes, Valentine’s Day), former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, Sr. turned 94 years old. His political career spans over 50 years and he was the longest-serving senator in the Fifth Republic.
From being a central figure in the declaration of Martial Law and 1986 People Power Revolution, to being detained momentarily over suspicion of planning the coup against the Aquino administration, to losing the 1998 presidential bid against Estrada, to securing the senate presidency under Arroyo administration, to leading the senate in its first-ever successful impeachment trial, to being detained again for graft and corruption charges, (whew!) it would be fair to say that Enrile is so old, he’s a walking history book.
So let’s put that to the test. We present to you some historic moments and you guess whether JPE was already born when it happened. Your prize? His secret on aging.
8. Proclamation of Independence
Let’s start with something easy. Emilio Aguinaldo stood at the balcony of his ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite and declared the independence of our country, with him being its first leader.
The question: Is JPE older than the Philippine Independence?
- Yes
- No
7. First papal visit in the Philippines
Pope Paul VI is the first Roman Catholic pope ever to visit the country. He gave a speech in front of the University of Sto. Tomas students.
The question: Is JPE older than the history of papal visits in the country?
- Yes
- No
6. First nationwide Philippine presidential elections
JPE ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1998, losing to then Vice President Joseph Estrada. The first-ever presidential elections, however, happened after the Commonwealth government was installed and Manuel L. Quezon won as the country’s first-ever elected president.
The question: Is JPE older than the history of Philippine general elections?
- Yes
- No
5. Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas
Speaking of politics, the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas was founded by the leading labor movement figures—Crisanto Evangelista, Antonio Ora, Jacinto Manahan, and Domingo Ponce—as a strong opposition to the leading Nacionalista and the Democrata parties.
The question: Is JPE older than the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas?
- Yes
- No
4. Manila Metropolitan Theater
The Manila Metropolitan Theater, one of the country’s oldest theaters, is a Philippine Art Deco building designed by architect Juan M. Arellano. It has been closed off due to decays inside the building but recent efforts are being done to restore it back to its glory.
The question: Is JPE older than the Manila Metropolitan Theater?
- Yes
- No
3. First locally produced film
Dalagang Bukid is a silent film directed by José Nepomuceno and it tells the story of a young flower vendor who is forced by her parents to marry a wealthy old man despite being in love with a law student. It is the first Filipino feature film to be locally produced in the Philippines.
The question: Is JPE older than the history of film producing in the country?
- Yes
- No
2. Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental
Before, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental used to be under one province—Misamis, until Legislative Act No. 3537 divided it into two and demarcated its boundaries.
The question: Is JPE older than Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental?
- Yes
- No
1. First Filipino Olympian
Runner David Nepomuceno is the first-ever representative of the Philippines in the Olympic Games. While he did not qualify for the quarterfinals, it marked the start of Filipino participation at the Olympics.
The question: Is JPE older than the history of Philippine participation in the Olympic Games?
- Yes
- No
