Lola, 96

My Lola, Placida Perez, died last May 16, 2008.

Her wonderful heart finally failed her. She would have been 97 years old on October.

She is my Tatay’s mother. She had 8 children and she outlived not only Lolo but also 5 of her children.

She has been sick since 2 weeks ago, I facilitated her transfer from Ospital ng Makati to PGH so that I can monitor her better. She has been fighting pneumonia and winning, but her heart just gave in.

I and the other apos and in-laws were tasked to oversee the funeral services because all of the anaks are abroad at present - my Tatay is in Canada, my Tita Madre is in New York and my Tito Nonong is in Chicago. So we are facing the prospect of a long wake because we have to wait for the 3 to arrive. The wake is at our home in Makati.

She is Lola Payat to me when I was a kid, to differentiate her with my Nanay’s mother who was Lola Taba. I grew up with her in Makati. She and Lolo raised me when I was a toddler because Nanay and Tatay were both working so they would leave me in Lolo’s house. They spoiled me a lot. I remember that they would always ask me what I would want to eat, and that will be the meal for the day (during that time, I would always request fried bangus - everyday!). I remember they would also take turns in giving me bath. I still do what Lola would always do to me when the water is too cold for bath, sprinkle little amount of the cold water all over my body so that it would acclimatize with the coldness and not immediately be dosed with the whole cool water.

They would boast me to all their neighbors, telling them to look and marvel at their cute apo. We live near a market, so just try to imagine how many people are passing-by our home everyday, and they would extol these people to look and marvel at me.

She is also makulit, she would always insist what she wants. One funny memory I can’t forget is when we were visiting Tito Toto in their house in Pateros. During the 70’s, to reach that house, we have to cross a wide rice field walking over elevated wooden planks approximately 500 meters long and winding thru the field. Lola was so adamant that the wooden planks were not secure to walk upon that she crawled on all fours! Imagine an old lady crawling over a ricefield in the middle of the day. Even in her latter years, if she is in a mall, she would not ride an escalator. She thinks they are dangerous.

Tita Madre wrote to me in one of her emails that the tables are turned that I now took care of Lola in her most difficult time, and she was thankful that I was giving Lola the best attention I can have. For me, it’s the least thing I can do.

I will surely miss her. My only regret is that I failed to show Enzo to her when she was still alive. Very big mistake in my part.

She is quite a lady and she has been a big part of what I am today.

Thank you Lola!