Letters to my two ‘lolas’

Lola Letty carrying baby Carlos in Ilocos Sur, their province --CONTRIBUTED

Sa aking Lola Letty,

Ay-ayaten ka, my beautiful Lola. Ever since I was a kid, you have shared with me your time and love. You sparked adventure in my life. It feels just like yesterday when you would bring me to your home and invite kids in the neighborhood to be my playmates. I recall playing with them inside your sari-sari store—we may or may not have sometimes (most of the time) eaten all of your paninda. Of course, you knew we did that, yet you still allowed us to go back there.

I remember how you’d also play with us inside the house, even teaching me how to play games such as luksong baka and Chinese garter (even if I never got good at it). You would cook us either hotdogs or my favorite Lucky Me Pancit Canton, something I could only eat at your place since it was not allowed at home.

I won’t forget that time I tripped and got a gash. I won’t forget how painful that was, but I also won’t forget how you took care of me. You always took care of me. Please know that I now carry that with me, and I hope to give back to you all the love and care you’ve shown me.

I’ll finally get to see you, after a year of you being in the States. I can’t wait to see you. Also, Lola, when you’re finally home, let’s have a bakasyon in Ilocos, i-libre po kita!

Sa aking Lola Belen,

God gave me you as my lola, and that is one gift that I am very thankful for. From the moment I was born, ikaw na Lola ang naging katuwang ko sa pang-araw araw na buhay.

You have been my second mother. When I was young, you helped me in my schooling. I remember the hours you spent guiding me in improving my reading and writing. I can never forget the times I felt like giving up on basic mathematics, and how you would be persistent to help me. And even if I was not the brightest in class, you still encouraged me to try and learn, always being content with my best effort.

You have always been my partner in crime. I love how we can always understand each other. We love to joke about winning the lotto, kaya nga lang hindi tayo tumataya! I’ll always cherish all the times we bonded over ordering fast food, just for the two of us!

Even if I cannot write all that I feel, I want to say that I love you the most in the world.

To both my Lola Letty and Lola Belen, I am so blessed to have you as my lolas. I am blessed to hear about your memories of the past, and to be part of new memories. I am blessed to have grown close to both of you and to have been guided to grow positively with both of you.

Along with my Lolo Mando and Lolo Tino, all of you have instilled in me true love. One day, may I repay your love and make you proud. But until then, I say I love you and I pray the Lord watches over you and grants you a long, peaceful, and happy life.