From Oblation to Oscars: Milestones around the world before and after centenarian Juan Ponce Enrile
Chief presidential legal adviser Juan Ponce Enrile is officially a centenarian!
According to the World Economic Forum, as of 2021, there are now more than half a million people aged 100 or older around the world.
Enrile, who has been a subject of immortality memes in recent years, has twice conquered COVID-19 and fought off pneumonia thrice amidst the global pandemic. Additionally, his four terms in the Senate solidified his position as the third longest-serving senator in Philippine history.
Other than that, he has witnessed the reigns of eight popes, lived through the crowning of every Miss Universe (84!) and remarkably outlasted 16 out of 17 Philippine presidents.
More than the outstanding trivia above, Enrile's lifespan is practically intertwined with history. Just imagine, he's older than some iconic things like Mickey Mouse and the reconstructed Quiapo Church! Check out more below.
The first Olympic Winter Games is 20 days older than Enrile
The I Olympic Winter Games, also called Chamonix 1924 or the 1924 Winter Olympics, were a series of winter multi-sport competitions hosted in Chamonix, France, in 1924. It started on Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, 1924—9 days before Enrile was born on Feb. 14.
Enrile is 36 years younger than the oldest restaurant in the Philippines
The country's oldest restaurant, Toho Panciteria Antigua, was founded in 1888 and originally located in the world's oldest Chinatown, Binondo, Manila. It is said that national heroes like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio dined in that restaurant.
Today, it is being managed by Alvin Wong, a third-generation owner, and has four restaurants in the South, including one on President’s Avenue in BF Homes, Parañaque.
Enrile is two years older than the Manila Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1926 under the baton of Alexander Lippay, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) first graced the stage of the Manila Grand Opera House. Their inaugural performance marked a historic moment, and their legacy continued to grow when they played at the Metropolitan Theater's grand opening in 1931.
Now, as they approach their centennial year, the MSO has transformed into a cornerstone of Filipino music. It has become a foundation, a nurturing ground for Filipino musical talent. It provides a platform for these musicians to perform alongside the world's best, fostering a love of music that resonates with every Filipino.
Enrile is four years older than Far Eastern University (FEU)
In 1928, the university was founded by Dr. Nicanor Reyes with the assistance of a reputable group of educators from the University of the Philippines' Department of Economics.
The university was once known as the Institute of Accountancy, and it started by offering a three-year curriculum meant to prepare students for the requirements of the certified public accountant test.
Enrile is four years older than Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks collaborated to develop the American cartoon character Mickey Mouse in 1928. Mickey, the anthropomorphic mouse that has been the mascot and long-standing symbol of The Walt Disney Company, usually wears white gloves, big yellow shoes, and red shorts.
Earlier this year, the earliest versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse went into the public domain. This means that the two characters' designs have now expired, leaving them available to be reworked and used starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Enrile is five years older than the Oscars
The Academy Awards or the Oscars was established in 1929, making it the oldest worldwide entertainment awards ceremony. It is also the oldest of the four major annual American entertainment awards, such as the Emmy Awards for television, the Tony Awards for theater, and the Grammy Awards for music.
Enrile is five years older than the current Quiapo Church
The ages-old Quiapo church was constructed by missionaries of the Order of Friars Minor out of nipa and bamboo. It was destroyed and set on fire by Limahong and his warriors during the Sangley insurrection in 1574.
The church was rebuilt and destroyed several times. The one that stands now in Plaza Miranda is a reconstruction of the original building that burnt down in 1929.
Enrile is 11 years older than The Oblation
In 1935, Sculptor Guillermo Tolentino created "The Oblation," a concrete statue initially erected at the University of the Philippines at Padre Faura in Manila. It stands three and a half meters tall, representing three and a half centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines. Until now, the statue symbolizes the university's "love of freedom, search for truth, and love of country."
In 1949, the university celebrated its 40th anniversary and moved the sculpture to the Main Library of UP in Diliman, Quezon City. Meanwhile, a duplicate was made and put in front of Quezon Hall, where it remains today, welcoming everyone who enters the campus.
BAND-AID is four years younger than Enrile
BAND-AID—a product known for its innovation, healing, and caring for individual wounds—was invented in 1920 when Earle Dickson created a bandage that his wife could apply by combining Johnson & Johnson's adhesive tape and gauze.
Four years later, the brand adhesive bandages are ready to use at 3 inches long even today.