Jeepney Press November to December 2025 Advice ni Tita Lits

Mahal kong Tita Lits,

Tita… humihinga pa po ba kayo?  Kasi ako, humihinga pa naman—pero minsan hingal na rin sa reality. Next year, I am turning 60. Yes. Six. Zero.

Hindi ko po ma-process. Ako ba talaga ’to? ’Yung dating uma-attend ng disco? ’Yung nagha–hairspray ng todo para sa bangs? ’Yung may kilig pa kapag may nagpapadala ng love letter? Ngayon, ang love letter ko galing na sa pension office at insurance reminders ng ward office.

Tita, am I that old? Apparently, yes. Kasi yung likod ko—lagi nang naka-airplane mode. Yung tuhod ko—lagi nang nagba-buffer. At yung katawan ko—meron nang daily notifications ng kung anong sumasakit.

Aging… ah Tita, ibang klaseng teleserye ito. Andito na ako sa chapter na:  “Who Is This Snow White Hair and Why Is She Multiplying?”

Tita, dati pag may isang puting buhok lumabas, feeling ko, it's end of the world.  Ngayon? Group project na sila. May organizational chart na. May team building pa yata gabi-gabi. Tuwing magsusuklay ako, parang may snowstorm sa shoulders ko—in advance for winter.

My hair is thinning like my patience for nonsense. Kaya ayan, hair dye every few weeks. Pag nasa drugstore ako, automatic na ako sa aisle ng “For Mature Hair”—na parang hindi na ako human, parang exotic plant na kailangan ng special fertilizer.

At ang mukha ko, Tita… Ay naku. ’Yung lines ko sa forehead—parang EDSA, laging traffic. ’Yung crow’s feet—hindi na siya feet, buong flock na sila. At yung blemishes—akala mo ba mawawala pag tumatanda? Hindi! They stay para may company daw ako. How sweet.

And after all the hot flashes—akala ko tapos na ang drama. Pero hindi pala. Eto na tayo sa stage na: “I used to hate my period… now, I miss it like an ex who was toxic pero at least may structure ang buhay ko.”

Pero Tita, real talk: Medyo feeling down ako. May days na I look at myself and think, “Is this still me?” “Where did the time go?” “At bakit hindi bumabalik ang collagen ko kahit nagdasal na ako?”

Pero syempre, may bright side din naman, kahit minsan parang dim lang ang ilaw. So, nag-Google search...

As a senior citizen in Japan, I can look forward to:

– Discounts sa buses, trains, museums, at minsan sa mga cultural classes.

– Health check-ups na mas regular pa sa love life ko.

– Community activities like yoga, flower arrangement, calligraphy—kung saan pwede

akong sumali at magpanggap na calm and graceful kahit sumasakit ang tuhod ko.

– Respect!

Grabe Tita, dito pa lang ako nakaramdam ng VIP treatment just for existing.

In the Philippines, meron namang:

– 20% discount + VAT exemption sa pagkain, gamot, at baon sa Jollibee.

– Priority lanes everywhere—finally, hindi na ako maghihintay parang audition sa talent

show.

– Senior cinema and park perks.

– Pension benefits if eligible.

– And of course, the love and chaos of family—na kahit magulo, nakaka-extend ng buhay.

Pero alam mo, Tita, what I’m slowly learning? Aging is scary…but it’s also strangely beautiful. It means I’ve lived. I’ve survived. I’ve collected stories, heartbreaks, triumphs, wisdom, wrinkles, white hair, and scars—lahat ng proof na I existed fully.

At ngayon?

Pag turning senior citizen na ako, I get to choose peace. I get to choose where to spend my time, my energy, my softness, my humor. I get to enjoy life without apologies.

So Tita, please send your advice. Your magic. Your wisdom. Your classic Tita Lits humor. Tulungan niyo po ako maging fabulous kahit Senior. Gusto ko pag nag-60 ako, hindi ako “old.” Gusto ko maging legendary, like my Tita Lits!

Lovelots,

Your soon-to-be silver-haired drama queen,

Melanie