One of the oldest living political personalities in the Philippines is Juan Ponce Enrile.
On Tuesday, February 14, Enrile celebrated his 99th birthday.
Enrile played a significant role in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.
During Ferdinand Marcos Sr.‘s administration, Enrile held key posts as justice secretary and defense secretary.
Enrile said that a fake ambush attack against him was staged to justify the declaration of Martial Law.
Amnesty International has said that in the ten years of Martial Law, 70,000 people were jailed, 34,000 tortured, and 3,240 killed.
When Marcos was ousted, Enrile kept his post as defense chief under the late president Corazon Aquino. He was fired after being linked to a plot to oust Aquino.
Enrile served four terms in the Senate during the 8th, 11th, 13th, and 16th Congresses from 1987 to 2016.
Several decades after serving Marcos Sr., Enrile returned to government as chief presidential legal counsel of the son and namesake of the late dictator.
RELATED: Marcos swears in Enrile as chief legal counsel
Given Enrile’s age, he has witnessed pivotal events in Philippine and world history. Here’s a rundown of the institutions, personalities, events and things that are younger than Enrile:
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University was established in 1928. It was founded by Dr. Nicanor Reyes. This year the university celebrates its 95th founding anniversary.
Mickey Mouse
The Mickey Mouse comic strip started on Jan. 13, 1930. NPR reported that Mickey Mouse was not created by Walt Disney alone. It was designed by Disney’s best friend UB Iwerks in 1928.
ABS-CBN
One of the country’s leading media and entertainment companies, ABS-CBN, opened in 1953.
In 1972, ABS-CBN and its affiliate stations were shut down after the country was placed under Martial Law.
The network once again went off the air on May 5, 2020 after National Telecommunications Communications issued a cease-and-desist order issued after its franchise expired.
In July 2020, The House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied ABS-CBN’s request to be granted a 25-year year extension of the broadcast franchise after a series of hearings.
READ: Who’s who: A rundown of votes during ABS-CBN franchise renewal final hearing
SM Supermalls
In 1958, business tycoon Henry Sy started SM Super Malls as a shoe store in Carriedo, Manila.
SM’s major businesses cover areas of mall operation, hotels, retail (supermarkets, department stores, and brand stores), tourism, banking, and financial services.
Penicillin
Penicillin was discovered by Scottish physician Alexander Fleming in 1929. Penicillin is used to address bacterial infections.
Apollo 11 Mission
#OnThisDay in 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, carrying @NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin (“Buzz”) Aldrin 🚀
Discover more about that historic day: https://t.co/YbPUEAhiCi
“Apollo 11 Buzz Aldrin and the U.S. Flag on the Moon”
📅 1969
🏛️ @airandspace pic.twitter.com/7zHiBX22QA— Google Arts&Culture (@googlearts) July 20, 2022
On July 20, 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin” made history by being the first people to land on the moon.
The Beatles
#OTD in 1964, the band began their first US visit with a press conference: “It was all a joke. They’d ask joke questions so we’d give joke answers, but we weren’t really funny at all. It was just 5th form humour (…) We were nervous, though I don’t think people thought so”-John pic.twitter.com/dJE7hlc4Le
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) February 7, 2023
The Beatles started in 1957 in Liverpool, England. The four-piece rock band was known for their hit songs such as “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” among others.
United Nations
The international organization United Nations was founded in 1945 after the Second World War.
It was founded to maintain “international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.”
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