To make an elderly person happy is the noblest thing a young person can do. This week, we are celebrating Elderly Filipino Week, which is commemorated on 1 to 7 October by virtue of Proclamation No. 470 issued by then President Fidel Ramos on 26 September 1994.

Studies show that the top skills of senior citizens are: patience, professionalism, empathy, flexibility and trustworthiness. That is why some companies still prefer hiring elderly people.

Because of their examples and experience, of course, they deserve to be recognized. They played a big role in society when they were young and they continue to contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the country.

The young generation can recognize their enormous contributions to society by simply saying thank you, giving them a gift, or by simply listening to their stories and learning a thing or two.

For those who can, you should probably bring them to destinations that the whole family can enjoy.

You can take the bus, plane, boat or ship going there and provide livelihood to locals as you spend. That way, you made the elderly happy, you gave the family a respite, you learned lessons from their stories, and provided income to the locals. Oh boy, you made the whole economy grind!

Like the aphorism, "A rising tide lifts all boats," popularized by former US President John F. Kennedy, by traveling and taking the family somewhere, especially our parents and grandparents, we contribute to the rising tide of our economy.

Speaking of boats, ships and rising tides, and as we move from the same boat… Philippine ports are now being noticed in the global community, participating in economic globalization, advancing its development among countries in Southeast Asia as reflected in the latest data from Drewry Maritime Research, surpassing the static volumes of Southeast Asian peers.

The latest port strategy report shows that the Port of Manila was the only port in the region with a double-digit growth compared to the largest ports whose volumes declined and which recorded only single-digit increases.

The growth in container volume as well translates to better figures for the economy, creating a ripple effect through all sectors.

Speaking of the global stage, the Philippine Ports Authority, in collaboration with the Permanent International Association of Navigational Congresses, will host the Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries Exercise, or COPEDEC X-2023, with the theme "Enhancing Waterborne Transport and Sustainable Coastal Development" on 9 to 13 October. The event will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

After the pandemic, this is the first time we will be having a face to face conference like this in Manila.

The event will bring together engineers, scientists, planners, and decision-makers from around the world to exchange knowledge and ideas on practical applications, planning, management, and environmental aspects of coastal, port, and inland waterway engineering in developing and industrialized countries, including the documentation of case studies.

This event will provide a unique opportunity to showcase new products and solutions to address challenges in the fields related to Ports and Harbor Engineering that we face today.

So what are you waiting for, folks!? Tara na! Lezzz gooo travel! PPAsyal tayo!

Let us utilize our ports in our journeys to wonderful places around the country as we upgrade and continue to improve our ports and the whole shipping industry.

By merely enjoying our travels, we contribute to our economy. And let's take along granny and grumpy, oooppsss…. grandpa, I should say.
Let us all be together in the same boat!