I lost count of how old she would be has she's been alive today but the memories of her remain vivid in my mind. Lola, as we fondly called her, is a domineering woman yet she folds up when lolo exercises his masculinity. She is a loving and generous lola, an exact opposite of lolo whom she calls kuripot or stingy. I remember in some visits I did to their place, lola would keep some food and give it to me secretly with a strict reminder not to show them to lolo or heaven and hell will break lose. Lolo has his favorite’s grandchildren and I happen to be not one of them.
Lola is also a religious woman. She has memorized the complete mystery and could pray the rosary without any guide. I remember going with her in some padasal where she was the lead prayer. Their house is located beside the barrio chapel and hearing the Sunday mass has been part of her weekly routine. She is also a hilot; she has helped several mothers in delivering their babies. She has an herbal garden in their backyard.
A giddy lola when it comes to dresses, she only trusted Mama, my mom, to sew her dresses. She only has few pieces of bestida which she wore in going to church and some formal gatherings. I remember her telling me that she did not trust other modista, they are not as pulido as mama in sewing clothes.
My fondest memory of lola, however, was when I took her for a walk at Luneta and at the grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. One summer time, Mama took lolo and lola to my place in Makati where I used to live. It was a weekend and I was off from work. Lolo, who was then complaining of getting tired easily, opted to stay at home.
While at the park, I let lola explored on her own. However, instead of roaming around, I saw her looking intently on a couple kissing in a corner. "Ganyan ka rin ba?" she asked me which I answered by wiggling my head. She found kissing in public as absurd.
From Luneta, we proceeded to the CCP grounds. We walked at the bay side and pointed and explained to her all the buildings that were built there. As we walked towards the CCP building, lola opened her umbrella (she always brings umbrella with her to cover herself from sudden downpour or heat of the sun) saying it was raining.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing because the rain she was saying was the massive fountain in front of the CPP building that was opened just as we passed it. Funny, but no, it was the first time, I believed, lola saw a fountain.
It was only a weekend stay, lolo and lola has to go back to Mindoro because mama has also her job. Before leaving, I bought lolo a pair of slippers which turned out to be my yearly gift to him and to lola a new duster.
That was the closest moment I managed to spend with lola. Few years passed and I saw her again a year after I got married when we spent our Christmas holiday in Mindoro with mama. It was our last year of stay in the Philippines before we moved to Burma.
After five years since the last time I saw her, I managed to see lola again when I went home for an emergency operation. The vibrant lola that I used to know has become a placid grandma; she could no longer walk and could barely recognized people. Tia Nene, her youngest child who is looking after her, has to carry her out to catch some sun. Old age and a falling incident that broke her pelvic bones robbed her of her vitality.
I never see lola again after that last visit. She died a year after. I did not have the opportunity to go to her burial but I am sure she won't miss me because the dress she wore when she was buried was my gift. Mama bought it in my behalf.
Happy birthday lola. I know you are happier now with lolo beside you.
Lola is also a religious woman. She has memorized the complete mystery and could pray the rosary without any guide. I remember going with her in some padasal where she was the lead prayer. Their house is located beside the barrio chapel and hearing the Sunday mass has been part of her weekly routine. She is also a hilot; she has helped several mothers in delivering their babies. She has an herbal garden in their backyard.
A giddy lola when it comes to dresses, she only trusted Mama, my mom, to sew her dresses. She only has few pieces of bestida which she wore in going to church and some formal gatherings. I remember her telling me that she did not trust other modista, they are not as pulido as mama in sewing clothes.
My fondest memory of lola, however, was when I took her for a walk at Luneta and at the grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. One summer time, Mama took lolo and lola to my place in Makati where I used to live. It was a weekend and I was off from work. Lolo, who was then complaining of getting tired easily, opted to stay at home.
While at the park, I let lola explored on her own. However, instead of roaming around, I saw her looking intently on a couple kissing in a corner. "Ganyan ka rin ba?" she asked me which I answered by wiggling my head. She found kissing in public as absurd.
From Luneta, we proceeded to the CCP grounds. We walked at the bay side and pointed and explained to her all the buildings that were built there. As we walked towards the CCP building, lola opened her umbrella (she always brings umbrella with her to cover herself from sudden downpour or heat of the sun) saying it was raining.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing because the rain she was saying was the massive fountain in front of the CPP building that was opened just as we passed it. Funny, but no, it was the first time, I believed, lola saw a fountain.
It was only a weekend stay, lolo and lola has to go back to Mindoro because mama has also her job. Before leaving, I bought lolo a pair of slippers which turned out to be my yearly gift to him and to lola a new duster.
That was the closest moment I managed to spend with lola. Few years passed and I saw her again a year after I got married when we spent our Christmas holiday in Mindoro with mama. It was our last year of stay in the Philippines before we moved to Burma.
After five years since the last time I saw her, I managed to see lola again when I went home for an emergency operation. The vibrant lola that I used to know has become a placid grandma; she could no longer walk and could barely recognized people. Tia Nene, her youngest child who is looking after her, has to carry her out to catch some sun. Old age and a falling incident that broke her pelvic bones robbed her of her vitality.
I never see lola again after that last visit. She died a year after. I did not have the opportunity to go to her burial but I am sure she won't miss me because the dress she wore when she was buried was my gift. Mama bought it in my behalf.
Happy birthday lola. I know you are happier now with lolo beside you.
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