There’s no one like Lolo Bojie
Fiesta Carnival, 1980s. I looked up at the Ferris wheel and I wanted to ride it, which was surprising, because as a kid so prone to motion sickness that I often threw up just riding cars, I wasn’t a fan of carnival rides. Lolo Bojie, despite also not being big on rides, reluctantly went with me—a sacrifice made that day in Cubao.
We got into one of the pods and the wheel started moving. By the time we reached the top, I had changed my mind. Riding the Ferris wheel was a big mistake. I was terrified and I wanted to get off … now. I started wailing. I created such a ruckus that they actually stopped the ride so we could get off.
“Pambihira,” Lolo says now, chuckling at the memory, just one of the many memories we’ve created over decades.
Lolo Bojie is actually my stepgrandpa—my mom’s mom’s second husband—but it’s no secret to everyone that he’s my favorite. He’s never been steplolo to me, he was always just lolo. My two other grandpas were cool and loving, too, but I was always closest to him.
When I was in prep, there were days when Lolo Bojie was the one who would pick me up from school. Being the scaredy cat and the crybaby that I was, if he wasn’t at the gate by the time I got out of my classroom, if he was even one second late, I would start bawling my eyes out and the guard would tell him, “Ayun, Sir, umiiyak na.”
But the tears would stop the minute I saw him. It was such a relief to see his face. Today, I still feel the same way. Being with him is always a joy.
Lifeline
I slept over a lot at Lolo Bojie’s and Lola Lyd’s house when I was a kid and, when I would crave Burger Machine’s sans rival (which was often), Lolo would head out to buy it—even if it was 2 a.m.
Yes, I was spoiled, but I’d like to think not rotten. By loving me the way he does, with his example, Lolo taught me a lot about loving and caring.
He also taught me a lot about food. Lolo Bojie has always been a foodie, even before foodies were a thing.
Even as a kid, he and Lola Lyd took me to nice restaurants, where he taught me about the different cuts of steak, the joys of a good Caesar salad and why dessert is important. It was something his own grandpa did with him, too. We continue to bond a lot about food, eating out, trading tips about new restaurants, exchanging food gifts. I also enjoy cooking for him.
We also bonded over Archie Comics, which he also used to read when he was a little boy. When he realized I was enjoying them, he took me to Filbar’s in Greenhills so I could subscribe to a couple of titles.
Lolo Bojie is a man of many talents and incredibly smart. (I always said he’d be my lifeline if I ever joined “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.”)
As the first grandchild on both sides of the family, for several years, I had Lolo Boj to myself. Then came my brother … and my cousins. It came as no surprise that they adored him, too. Lolo is really special. Even my paternal grandmother used to say, “Iba ‘yang si Bojie, there’s no one like him.”
Unwavering love
For Lolo’s 70th birthday, my cousins and I filled a jar with 70 reasons we love him. It was so easy, so easy that we ended up with 72 reasons.
Growing up, I always felt lucky to have five grandparents. Today, only Lolo Bojie remains, and I am ever so grateful for his presence and his love.
He’s 80 now, the most youthful 80-year-old you could ever see.
He continues to practice as a lawyer and lead his congregation.
Even during the legal battle we recently waged when my father left behind a mess after he died, it was Lolo Bojie who fought with us and was constantly by our side, not just as our lawyer but also our support system. I hated those court days, dreaded them, but he made them bearable, enjoyable, even.
I am so grateful that Lolo Bojie fell in love with Lola Lyd and that his love for her was so immense, and remains so immense even after her passing, that it trickled down to all of us.
It’s a patient, persistent, steadfast, unwavering love that has been one of my life’s greatest blessings. I’m in my 40s now and Lolo Bojie still calls me his baby. I will always be his baby.
