Lola's girl
Here in the Philippines, we call our grandmothers as lola, nanay, mamang, nana… I call my maternal grandma as Mama, while I call my paternal grandma as Nanay. I love both of them dearly but I am closer to Mama. I grew up at the ancestral house with my two grand-aunts and mama. Although I lived at Mama’s house for quite sometime when I was growing up, my parents never forgot that it was their obligation to take care of me and provide for my basic needs.
Unlike what I saw from the news magazine The Correspondents a while ago. They featured three grandmothers who are taking care of their grandchildren left by their mothers. The three stories are heartbreaking. One grandmother, already in her senior year, is taking care of 5 little kids, the eldest being 12 years old. The kids were left by her 2 daughters who never went back to see their kids or even send money for their basic needs. The grandmother had to salvage some things from the garbage and then sell it to be able to buy rice to feed the kids. But it will have to take her a week before she can sell the junk. In the meantime, she asks neighbors for some rice. The plate of rice together with a spoonful of bagoong (shrimp paste) is shared by the grandmother and the 5 kids. If that didn’t break your heart…
I cannot imagine those women leaving their kids, much more to their mothers who should have been enjoying a worry-free life in their old age. Grandparents should be taken cared of, not the other way around. The lolas featured in The Correspondents should have been enjoying life because they have already paid their dues, so to speak. They already did their part and should be relaxing and playing with the kids and enjoying their retirement. A 70-year-old lady who is also sick should never be made to work in the fields.
It just broke my heart watching the old ladies. I am a lola’s girl. I was thinking the whole time that what if that’s my lola, crying and looking like her spirit is already broken because of too many hardships in life…
May 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Sad but true…maraming ganyan sa atin. Ako, ni hindi ko naranasan magkaroon ng lola or lolo kasi wala na sila both sides nang ipinanganak ako pero malambot ang puso ko sa mga matatanda
kakalungkot.
btw sis, got you an award…drop by here if you have time. you deserved it.
nonas last blog post..Special Award…
May 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Na-miss ko lola ko rito sa post mo ah.
Happy Wednesday Mare!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I wasn’t able to watch that episode but my heart goes out to those nurturing grandmothers who give so much of themselves for their grandchildren.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)s last blog post..Best Wishes Daphne
May 15th, 2008 at 6:43 am
that episode is really sad.esp these women are already in their twilight years.
malines last blog post..How was your MOMS’ DAY?
May 16th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I really can’t imagine a mother who just throw her children to someone else. Hello.
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