MANILA, Philippines – Calvin Abueva’s career night that propelled Titan Ultra to a winning start in their PBA campaign was truly remarkable, especially considering his age.
Abueva’s impressive 41-point performance in Wednesday’s 100-96 victory over Meralco at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City made him the second-oldest player to score at least 40 points in a PBA game.
https://sports.inquirer.net/643561/pba-calvin-abueva-becomes-second-oldest-player-to-score-40
A recent survey revealed that more than 70 percent of people aged 50 and over are interested in reskilling after retirement. This reflects a strong desire among seniors to stay active and engaged in society even after leaving the workforce.
To explore this trend, a reporter visited Takatsuki City, where a local initiative known as the Takatsuki Civic College offers learning opportunities specifically for seniors. The atmosphere in the classroom was lively and focused, with most participants being retirees intently listening to lectures.
Established five years ago, the program aims to help seniors form friendships and participate in their communities. Enrollment has been increasing annually, and today around 300 students are taking part in its 38 courses, all at an affordable cost.
One student explained, “I have two reasons for coming here. First, to prevent dementia, and second, to make new friends — although that part is not always easy.” Formerly a nurse, she said joining the classes allows her to rediscover herself and learn new things.
“There’s still so much I don’t know. Being among other people helps me see myself from a different perspective, and that’s interesting,” she added with a smile.
The story of 76-year-old Hiyo Okada in Takarazuka City offers another inspiring example of lifelong learning. Okada is now a second-year student in the Faculty of Psychology at Koshien University, a private four-year institution typically filled with younger students.
“When I’m at school, I feel so young,” she laughed. “But when I get home and see myself in the mirror, I’m surprised.”
Okada, who had spent over 50 years working as a hairdresser in Saitama, left her job at 70 and moved to Kansai, where her daughter lives. Feeling a long-held regret about not finishing high school, she enrolled in a correspondence high school before deciding to pursue higher education.
“Through my work, I realized how much I enjoy interacting with people,” she said. “When I told my teacher that, they suggested I study psychology, and I thought, why not?”
Although Koshien University offers full tuition and admission fee exemptions for adult learners over 35, Okada did not qualify because she entered through a high school recommendation program, meaning she pays all fees herself.
“Yes, I pay everything out of my own pocket,” she said cheerfully, describing the cost as an investment in herself.
At lunchtime, she often eats in the student cafeteria with classmates decades younger than her. “They call me A-chan,” she said. “That’s what my grandchildren call me at home, so it makes me feel comfortable here too.”
Her younger peers said they were initially surprised to see an older student but quickly grew close.
“When I first saw her, I thought she might be a staff member,” one classmate laughed. “But now, she’s like a bridge connecting everyone. Without her, I wouldn’t have made so many friends.”
Far from being isolated, Okada has become an indispensable presence in her department, organizing study sessions and helping younger students prepare for exams.
“She taught us every day for a week before finals,” said another student. “I wouldn’t have passed without her.”
After classes, Okada returns to her apartment, where her desk is covered with psychology textbooks and English materials.
“English is difficult,” she said, “but I keep trying.”
Her grandson often visits, and the two share warm moments together.
“She’s incredible,” he said proudly. “She’s living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment.”
Okada’s next goal is to become a certified psychological counselor.
“I want to be the kind of grandmother who sits quietly in the corner of an elementary or junior high school, someone children can talk to about anything,” she said. “That’s my dream.”
Experts note that the rise of such learning initiatives highlights a changing role for seniors in Japanese society.
“In the past, grandparents held important positions within extended families and communities,” one commentator said. “Now, as families become more nuclear, these new forms of community involvement give seniors a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.”
As Japan’s population continues to age, stories like Okada’s suggest that reskilling and lifelong learning may become key not only to personal fulfillment but also to strengthening the fabric of local communities.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147173.php
Dear Vanessa,
My husband and I are both 58, still working, and still paying off our mortgage. Our two adult children, in their early 20s, still live at home with us. Between the mortgage, bills, and supporting them, money is tight, and retirement feels like a long way off.
My mum, who is 80, recently told my kids before she even told me that she plans to leave her house directly to them when she passes, not to me. She says it’s so expensive for young people to buy property and she wants to give them a leg up.
I love that her intention is to help them, but it really hurt to be left out of the conversation. My husband keeps saying I should tell her that we need the money too, but I don’t want to make her feel guilty or worry about me. I just wish she had asked what I thought before making promises.
Now that the kids know about it, they’re almost waiting for that inheritance. It’s changed the way they talk about money, and I worry it’s made them less motivated to work harder for themselves, thinking that a big windfall is on the way.
Am I wrong to feel upset?
— Gwen
—
Dear Gwen,
You are not wrong at all. What you’re feeling is completely natural.
Wills are never just about money; they’re about being recognised, included, and respected. Your mum’s decision may have come from love and generosity, but telling your kids before talking to you has created a big emotional gap.
It’s wonderful that she wants to help your children in a tough housing market. But what she may not see is that you and your husband are still carrying heavy financial responsibilities, and her approach has created a problem for the next generation. By promising them her house now, she’s given them a sense of certainty that can easily take away the hunger to build their own future.
That’s why this situation needs both honesty and planning.
First, I’d encourage you to have a calm, open conversation with your mum—not about demanding her money, but about how her choice makes you and your husband feel, and the effect it’s already having on your kids. Let her know you love her intention but wish you had been consulted first.
Second, this is a moment where a financial planner could really help—not just for you, but for your mum too. They can show her options that might help the grandchildren without undermining their motivation or causing you and your husband to feel excluded. They can also suggest practical ways to structure an inheritance so it doesn’t create more problems than it solves.
If you’d like to explore this, you can use my free link to find an adviser.
This isn’t just about who gets what; it’s about family relationships and preparing the next generation to stand on their own feet. Your feelings are valid, and by raising this gently now, you give everyone a better chance of keeping both the love and the money intact.
All the best,
Vanessa
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15163089/FLOURISHING-50-Mum-promised-kids-house-left-out.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
