Lola, My Nanay. You are Our Blessing. Stay Strong! #TibayNiNanay

My lola is turning 86 this year and almost all her years was spent taking care of the family. Especially me. I have to admit I’m one of my grandma’s favorite apo. I consider her my 2nd mom, my nanay. Because when I was younger, my mom worked overseas so that I can have a better life (that’s another story). Watching Orocan‘s latest video for Mothers’ Day inspired me to write a tribute to her strength, perseverance, and never ending love that she gave me and the rest of her family.

#TibayNiNanay

Mula sa ating pagkabata hanggang sa ating pagtanda, andiyan sila na walang tigil at walang reklamong sumusuporta, nagtatanggol, at nagmamahal sa bawat isa sa atin. Ngayong Mother’s Day, nagbibigay pugay ang Orocan kay Nanay, kay Mama, kay Ina, at kay Ma: ang mga babaeng bayani ng ating pang araw-araw na buhay. Wala talagang makakapantay sa #TibayNiNanay.All music tracks in the video were created by Jason Shaw, available under Creative Commons License 3.0.ASC Reference No: A037N050818O

Posted by Orocan on Thursday, May 10, 2018

Our family was never well-off. It was in between lower-middle class at most. My lolo worked as a jeepney driver and chairman for 2 electorial seasons. Lolo was honest during his time in the office and never did any corruption that’s why his pay was never really that sufficient. Nanay (my lola), worked the 9-5 job in LTO during her younger years. Not your typical “housewife” but she fits the bill of the modern mom. The one taking care of the finances while lolo was doing the household chores.

That doesn’t make her less of a mom. Just a different job description. She helped my mom, and all her siblings graduate college. Nanay was my role model.

Lola, My Nanay. You are Our Blessing. Stay Strong!

Years passed and she finally retired from office work. She now dedicated most of her life taking care of her apos, like me. My favorite bonding moment with my nanay is window shopping! Whether in Greenhills or Divisoria. We even went out even when I had a broken foot due to a car accident. Haha! She was the one pushing my wheelchair!

And now that I have a child of my own, she was the one who looked after #machokid when I myself was working in the office.

Even until now! HAHA! I trust her with cutting macho kid’s fingernails because I can be clumsy sometimes.

Unfortunately, nanay isn’t getting an younger and age is taking its toll. Her memories are slowly depleting and my nanay is showing early signs of dementia.

“O, kumain na ba si jop?“, she would ask me

“Opo, kakakain nya lang po ng pancake” I replied

“O, kumain na ba si jop?” she would ask again just 15 minutes after I answered her question

Heartbreaking 🙁

But nanay is doing her best to stay strong. Matibay sya like that! She would still read the newspaper every morning and even answer the crossword puzzle. Now is also the time that I give back her love. It’s my turn to take care of nanay!

So while she’s still able and strong, I frequently ask her to go to the mall with me and macho kid to hang out!

Life is short. Make the most of it. Spend time with your loved ones, before it’s too late. Put down your phone once in a while because moments are always more precious than memories.

From the moment we first opened our eyes, to our first steps, to our first words, and the million other milestones that came after, they were there. At every high and every low of our lives, they have supported us, protected us, and loved us with no question. This Mother’s Day, Orocan celebrates the strength and dependability of all our Nanays, Inas, Moms, and Mamas. Nothing really compares with the #TibayNiNanay.

Head on over to https://www.facebook.com/OrocanPH/ to know more about the durability of Orocan. Don’t forget share to your own TibayNiNanay stories on their page too!