Note from the author: The English translation can be found below the Filipino text.
Thirties. Edad na hindi ka pa talaga matanda pero hindi ka na rin matatawag na bata. Marami-rami na rin ang napagdaanan sa buhay pero hindi pa rin sapat. Marami pang kakaining bigas, sabi nga ng mga nakatatanda.
Thirty three. Yan ang edad ko ngayon. Jesus' year daw. Sa mga Kristiyano, ito ang edad ni Hesus nang pumanaw sya. Ipinako sa Krus at nagpakasakit para sa kaligtasan ng sambayanan. Pero ito rin ang edad kung kailan Siya nabuhay na muli, natatandaan mo yung storya ng Resurrection? Yun yun. Sa edad na ito, i-te-test ka raw ng buhay. Masasaktan. Mapapatanong kung saan ka ba talaga patungo. Sasabay lang ba sa agos ng buhay o may mga plano ba na dapat nang simulan? Wala namang tama o maling sagot, kadalasan para sa peace of mind lang. Pagkakuntento. Sa totoo lang, mapipilitan kang mapaisip at harapin ang kung ano mang pagbabago sa buhay. Ayos din ito. Nothing is constant in life except change. Parte talaga ng buhay ang pagbabago, mas na ha-highlight lang siguro sa yugtong ito dahil sariling kayod ka na sa halos lahat ng bagay.
Para sa mga hindi Kristiyano, meron ding Saturn Returns. Maganda ang kwento nito. Ready ka na? Kada 29 years ang orbital period ng Saturn sa araw. Kung ang Earth ay 365 days, si Saturn ay 29 years. Si Saturn ay kilala bilang isang disciplinarian. Kaya kada 29 years, mararamdaman ang lakas ng palo nya. Tuturuan ka na maging pasensyoso, magkaroon ng sistema, minsan nga ipaparanas sa iyo ang napakasakit na heartbreak, basta kung ano man ang makatutulong sayo para harapin ang susunod na kabanata ng buhay mo. Umaabot daw ng lima hanggang anim na taon ang pagbisita ni Saturn. Ito ay panahon para kilalanin mo ang sarili mo. 27 to 33. Yan ang range ng edad na darating ang mga pagsubok at pagpapalakas ni Saturn. Wag matakot, kalma lang. Hinga ng malalim, hindi ka naman nag iisa.
Jesus year, Saturn Returns, quarter life crisis - ilan lang ang mga ito sa mga naimbentong termino para ipakilala ang period of life transition na ito. Ang common thread? Mararamdaman mo na magbabago ka, hopefully, for the better. May dalawang direksyon kasi na maaring tahakin: Una, yung "nowhere but up," ito yung rock bottom na, so saan ka pa pupunta, nowhere but up, diba? Pangalawa, "rolled sideways," nag isip naman at kinilala ang sarili, pero ang ending, tinanggap na hanggang dito nalang ang kapalaran. Wala namang kaso kung alin ang pipiliin mo, basta no regrets.
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(ENGLISH TRANSLATION)
Thirties. This is the period of life when you're not really old but you're no longer "young" either. I've been through a lot in life, but these experiences are not enough for me to say that I am learned in life. There is still a lot in store to learn and experience.
Thirty three. That's my age now. They say it's Jesus' year. For Christians, this is the age of Jesus when He died. Crucified and suffered for the salvation of the people. But this is also the age when He resurrected, do you remember the story of the Resurrection? That's it. At this age, life will test you. It will hurt. It will ask you about the direction you want to pursue. It will confuse you for a moment, because not everything you wanted, did happen. Do you have a plan you intend to go after? Do you want to slow down and live a more present life, going with the flow? There is no right or wrong answer, usually these are asked just for peace of mind. Well, at least you know you still care. You will be forced to think and deal with any life changes. Of course, that shouldn't be an issue. They say, nothing is constant in life except change. Change is really a part of life, maybe it just stands out at this age because you are already on your own, doing pretty much everything alone.
For non-Christians, there's Saturn Returns. I like this story. Have you heard of it? Saturn's orbital period with the sun is every 29 years. If Earth rotates around the sun for 365 days, Saturn does for 29 years. Saturn is known to be a disciplinarian. So every 29 years, you will feel the strength of his mast. You will be taught to be patient, to have a system, sometimes you will suffer a very painful heartbreak, just whatever will help you to face the next chapter of your life. It is said that Saturn's visit takes five to six years. This is a time for you to know yourself. 27 to 33. That's the age range that Saturn's tests and strengthening will come. Don't be afraid, just calm down. Take a deep breath, you are not alone.
Jesus' year, Saturn Returns, quarter life crisis - these are just some of the terms invented to introduce this period of life transition. The common thread? You will feel that you will change, hopefully, for the better. There are two directions that can be taken: First, "nowhere but up," this is rock bottom, so where else would you go, nowhere but up, right? Second, "rolled sideways," just kept moving steadily in that sideways direction, left to right, right to left. It doesn't matter which one you choose, you just have to live with your decision.
