Grandparents’ Day: Honoring Filipino families’ unsung heroes

IN FILIPINO families, grandparents usually play a quietly influential role, serving as unsung heroes whose contributions are vital but frequently underestimated, despite having an impact that spans generations. 

Our grandparents have seen it all, and they now embody the genuine essence of the qualities of respect, wisdom, and sacrifice that shape the dynamics of a Filipino family. 

Photo Courtesy: Rod Long | Unsplash

National Grandparents’ Day is observed annually in the Philippines on the second Sunday of September. It is a unique day to recognize the elders in our family who have shown us love and care.

This day allows Filipino families to commemorate their grandparents’ significant accomplishments, since they frequently played pivotal roles in nurturing, guiding, and safeguarding beloved family traditions. 

An experience told

Growing up, the concept of family was profoundly entrenched in respect for the elderly. Traditionally, grandparents, known as “lolo” and “lola,” are honored not only for their age but also for their valuable life experiences. 

We frequently hear them say, “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako,” emphasizing the need of listening to them given that what they share with us is usually based on their personal experiences.

Photo Courtesy: Amy Elting | Unsplash

Most of the time, when we hear these words, we have an answer in our minds that says, “Magkaiba tayong ng dinaanan.” However, this does not diminish their desire to ensure that we are on the correct track. 

Gen Zs, who might be stubborn at times, especially throughout their teenage years, yet express a lot of gratitude to their grandparents. As kids age, the words they heard begin to make more sense. 

Their roles in Gen Z’s lives

In an interview with republicasia, Kaitlin Kibtiani explained how her grandmother has been her mother figure for nearly half her life. Her lola has been a source of comfort for her while she is away from her OFW parents.

“Growing up with OFW parents, my lola became my second mother since junior high school. She took care of me in a motherly sense,” shared Kibtiani.

“Despite being in her old age, she took care of most of everything in the house, sometimes I would only have to wash the dishes and open the gate for when she goes out,” she added while laughing about the memories of it.

Photo Courtesy: Kaitlin Kibtiani

Jewel Trinidad, a 24-year-old videographer and editor in republicasia, credits his grandparents with making his childhood fun. Even admitting that they played a significant role in his upbringing.

“My grandparents actually are cool they let me do things that I don’t usually do in our house. They let me explore and learn things on my own that helped shape the person I am today,” shared Trinidad.

A core memory

Most of us have a core memory of our grandparents. May it be the scariest horror story they recounted, the kilig moments of how they met, or simply how amazing the cuisine was when they cooked it. 

Given that Kibtiani’s parents were away and her graduation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, her lola transformed a simple yet meaningful day into a moment she’ll cherish for the rest of her life.

“A core memory with lola that I will always cherish is when she surprised me with a small handa during my pandemic senior high school graduation,” the 22-year-old shared, reminiscing the cherished moment.

Photo Courtesy: Kaitlin Kibtiani

“I didn’t think much about that day, I was in my pajamas and watching the school live, waiting for my name to get called. I didn’t know a surprise was waiting for me in the dining room and it honestly made all the difference.”

“I will always treasure that moment we shared together because despite always having disagreements, she made me feel loved and important that day,” she added.

Our forebears were the first people to have a passion for planting, long before plantitos and plantitas existed. This has been a highlight for Trinidad, and he remembers it every time he thinks about them.

“Every summer I used to stay at my grandparents house and spend the rest of my summer there. My lolo loves to teach me about planting vegetables, then my lola will make us snacks after we finish watering the whole vegetable yard,“ he shared.

“I’m so lucky I was able to experience that feeling because the comfort of grandparents are really different, it is something that words can’t express.”

The unsung heroes’ lessons

The grandparents of these Gen Zs have taught them the same life lesson: the importance of love. This demonstrates that our grandparents have always been driven by an unrivaled affection for those around them.

“One lesson I have learned from my lola is to love. She always had a heart full of love and I saw how she translated that love into different things like buying pasalubong, remembering a small detail about something you like, and many more,” said Kibtiani.

“Most of her love was translated through food and I honestly see that as a cute love language for grandparents.”

Photo Courtesy: Kaitlin Kibtiani

Trinidad, on the other hand, received relationship advice that he might put into effect in his life. An advice supported by the fact that his lolo adores his lola, even at a young age.

“The most important thing that my lolo told me is that, when you meet the girl that you truly love, don’t let it slip. Fight for it, no matter what struggles you face. If you truly love that person, go get her and don’t wait on love,” he said.

Given their youth, these Gen Zs may have disregarded these words and actions, but they are now beginning to make more sense to them. All the more, they view their grandparents as the unsung heroes of their household.

“My lola is incredibly important to me, I would believe other people would say the same for their grandparents. Aside from all the material things that she has given me, I would say that it’s her love, care, and wisdom that I truly hold dear,” Kibtiani said.

“It probably wasn’t easy taking care of an angsty teen back then but she was able to. We had such great differences, but she was still able to show me love and care in a way that I would understand. My lola is one of the most important people in my life.”

A message to you

A wonderful day would be incomplete without a heartfelt greeting from these Gen Zers. When given the opportunity to show their love and admiration for their grandparents, they expressed the following.

“Thank you for everything, la. I hope you know how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for you, I owe a lot of my growth to you—your stories, support, love, and care,” Kibtiani said.

“You inspire me to always be full of love for people around me. I miss you every day and I love you always,” she added.

“I hope that you’re proud of me and I miss you guys. I still need my biggest number 1 and 2 fans that have been cheering me since day one,” said Trinidad.

“My world seems more quiet since you guys left miss you Apung Pol & Apung Luz. Thank you for being such awesome grandparents,” he added.

With an immeasurable number of stories recounted, experiences shared, and hours spent ensuring that each and every grandkid is involved in their upbringing, our Lolo at Lola will always be the unsung heroes in our hearts.