Retirement is not the end of life, but the beginning of new opportunities; this is the message conveyed by a citizen of Sestao. At 63 years old, after concluding his working life, this individual maintains his energy and commitment, actively contributing to the community.
For years, he worked as an ertzaina, a demanding profession marked by responsibility, where early mornings were part of his routine. Today, however, he smiles as he admits he misses “absolutely nothing” about those early alarms. Retirement has not been an end for him, but a continuation full of activity, projects, and passions.
“"Life does not end when one stops working. On the contrary, retirement is an opportunity."
His involvement has always been notable, and for this reason, his trajectory has been recognized within the Erreferenteak project, an initiative that values individuals who, from various fields, contribute to collective well-being. This project highlights the commitment of these people, who find prominence through their contributions without seeking it. This recognition will be celebrated at a gala on the 14th of this month at the Music School.
Even before retirement, his life was already marked by intense participation in multiple areas: sports, culture, Basque language, and festival committees. There was always something to collaborate on, organize, or improve. He acknowledges that this commitment has, at times, “stolen time” from his wife, Inmaculada. Nevertheless, together they have built a routine that includes, each year, at least a couple of very special transatlantic trips to visit their daughter, son-in-law, and especially their grandson. On these trips, he proudly states that he is from Sestao.
This bond with his birthplace has manifested in many ways throughout his life. One of the most unique was a personal project that led him to travel all over Euskal Herria to visit all towns with a town hall, a challenge that took him six years during weekends and holidays. His relationship with sports has also been constant, participating in disciplines such as rowing, football, mountaineering, and diving. For him, it is not just about competing, but about building community. Last year, being the town crier for the Sestao festivities held special significance for him, experiencing that moment as a symbolic culmination of years of dedication to his town.
