The time of his life

It is not age that defines a person — it is how he spends his time.

Nothing could perhaps epitomize this more than the great lawyer of our time, Atty. Nilo T. Divina, whose 60th birthday celebration on 20 February astounded not a few for the sheer ‘brilliance’ of the guest list.

Let’s just say that luminaries in business and politics came to personally share their good wishes for the famed DivinaLaw managing partner. And Shangri-La The Fort, BGC, Taguig City sizzled with the stellar power, but of course the birthday celebrator’s own wattage could only be outshone by his happy smiles.

Now how did such a man draw these recognizable names to take the time and celebrate with him and his family, his colleagues in the legal field and the academe, his friends and a host of others?

Even Senator Bong Go, hardly ever spotted at social events, came to wish his friend good health and, one supposes, longevity.

It was, as reports show, “a surprise stop,” though it is certainly not a surprise that Atty. Divina — dean of the University of Santo Tomas’ Faculty of Civil Law since 2009 — would have a diverse network.

Our DAILY TRIBUNE columnist was born on 20 February 1965. Through hard work and dedication — long the values he had lived by since his school days — he built a career as lawyer, professor, author, educational administrator and restaurateur that can only be described as “illustrious.”

Building his dream, raising a family (his “anchor”) and teaching future legal minds could not have come easy. And, to be sure, Dean Divina has always admitted this, never forgetting how he struggled and sacrificed to reach his goals.

His focus and resilience earned for him a spot at the Top 50 Influential People in the Philippines, among other awards that he once told DAILY TRIBUNE were very much appreciated, but never for a minute made him rest on his laurels.

Perhaps it is why business moguls Tessie Sy-Coson and Hans Sy were at his 60th party, among other business leaders.

And while artists Morisette, David Pomeranz and Gary Valenciano enlivened the event with their steing performances, it was Atty, Divina’s words that resounded way past the party.

“Sixty is the new 40,” he told his guests, which included Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Senator Freddie Webb, former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Erramon and Danel Aboitiz and Michael Tan.

He was “profoundly grateful” for the well wishes, and drawing upon the wisdom of six decades, reminded all to stay humble and true.

His speech, as his words often are, was a wellspring of sense and substance.

In talking about his children, his love for them overflowed, even as he hoped he would, in them, leave a legacy not only of “success, but significance.”

Atty. Divina’s heart was evident when he praised his team at DivinaLaw, saying they were “the firm’s backbone and the reason he hasn’t lost all his hair,” as related in an online news site. His humor could not be contained either, injecting his speech with such witty asides.

And for all these, Atty. Divina keeps his feet on the ground, his soul attuned to his faith, and his energy ever youthful. What of 60, indeed — whatever age on the Dean would be the “new 40,” his dreams for the world, his sense of purpose and his zest for life always filling him with the vigor to keep going.