“Aanhin pa ang damo, kung patay na ang kabayo?”
—Tagalog Proverb meaning what is grass good for, if the horse is already dead? Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’.
When I reflect on my experiences as a paramedic, I understand that death is something everyone will face; it is inevitable. Regardless of our preferences, it will arrive for each one of us. While I was grappling with PTSD, I noted some insights in my journals that I would like to share today...
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About the Book
55 Things Learned
at 55
By the time you’ve turned fifty-five, you’ve lived a lot of life, had made a lot of mistakes, and learned a lot of lessons. Philip Habacon knows that perhaps better than anyone: he’s been a young hellraiser growing up in the Philippines, a diving instructor in Thailand, a paramedic after immigrating to Canada, and a hunter in the cold Manitoba wilderness. From these rich experiences, he offers fifty-five stories ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking, each with an essential life lesson.
An unflinching voice with an extensive range, Habacon delights with narratives of his exciting adventures and enlightens with his portrayal of the harrowing reality of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) facing Canadian first responders, and his uphill journey of mending his mental health and relationships. Honest and unforgettable, 55 Things Learned at 55 is an essential read for all students of life.
About the Author
Philip Habacon
Philip Habacon (he/him) is a Filipino-Canadian author, an intermediate care paramedic (ground and ex-flight), and a member of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba (CPMB) and the Paramedic Association of Manitoba (PAM). He developed PTSD as a result of his experiences as a paramedic—a condition for which he is presently undergoing treatment. Before immigrating to Canada, he worked as a PADI-qualified Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) for six years instructing in Pattaya, Thailand. 55 Things Learned at 55 is his first book with a second one, First Responders and PTSD: How I Coped With Mine, and How You Can Too, nearing publication. These thrilling and stimulating books are a compilation of monthly journals dating back from 2013.
Philip lives in West St. Paul, Manitoba, with his spouse, Lizette, and Krinkle and Kenzo, their two wonderful Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise crosses. In addition to writing, he enjoys hobbies like hunting and travelling with his wife and adult son, Hans, who is based in Burnaby, BC.
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