Wala Yan sa Lolo Ko (Nothing Compares to my Grandpa)

I was with my grandparents at Vancouver Airport about 6 months ago to fly back to the Philippines. They both have weak legs so we took this shuttle service that will drive us from the check-in area straight to the boarding gate. The ride took about 5 minutes. I was sitting with my grandma at the back and Lolo was sitting with the lady driver in front. In those 5minutes, he discovered that the driver is from Germany, has 2 kids, has a Canadian husband, and has been working in the airport for 5 years and also discovered her work schedule. I looked at them in front and it seemed that they’ve known each other for a long time. My Lolo could make everyone fall in love with him, even in the span of 5 minutes. This was just the most recent time I’ve seen Lolo used his charisma to someone. My uncles and my cousins have more stories of Lolo’s adventure with people. My Lolo has this special ability to create smiles in people’s faces and make anyone feel comfortable.

The last talk we had was 2 months ago and it was in a phone call. He was having dialysis at that time and I’ve heard from people that dialysis is an extremely painful procedure. But it didn’t seem like it with my Lolo. He kept on laughing and made jokes while we were talking. He still made me laugh at our last talk and at a painful dialysis procedure. He’s simply the kindest and most optimistic person I know.

Lolo is all about family. He always wants us to be complete every Sunday. He would call each of my uncles and ask them where they were and tell them it’s time to eat. It gives him joy when they see all his kids and grand kids gathering together. He has 8 kids who grew up with an unbreakable bond. Having 8 kids, I call it passion. I’m just amazed with how my grandparents raised up 8 kids with a tight bond that was maintained until now. He is an amazing father and also an incomparable grandfather.

My Lolo is the most romantic guy I know. His love of his life Maximina, who is the best grandma in the world, is the luckiest woman for marrying Lolo. He would always tell grandma sweet things. My grandma actually told me at the last moments of Lolo in the ICU, he told her “Where are you going? You’ll sleep beside me right? Stay here with me” Their love story is the best. I could see clearly the promise made in weddings; “till death do us part” when I look at them. They would always go out in parks and eat out. Until now when they’re old, they will still have dates. They would go out of town every month to visit a well-known church and spend time praying to God. The both of them are the godliest people I know. People should look at the both them to see forever lay down in front of their eyes.

My dad once told me “Son, what creates the difference between happy people and lonely people?” Then he added, “Every one of us has something in common and that is TIME. We all have the same set of 24 hours and your future will depend on how you use those hours everyday. Using those 24 hours properly creates the huge difference.  Life is all about investing your time wisely”

My Grandpa Manuel (I call him Lolo by the way) was a living example of these wise words. My grandpa invested his time not on material things, success, achievements, money or image. He invested his time on loving the waiters, drivers, salesmen, shoe repairers, bank clerks, cashiers, janitors, security guards, his wife, kids and grandkids and of course God. He spent most of his time loving the people around him.

He’s my role model. He’s someone to look up to. I got my first name from Him. I’m sure the rest of my family members will carry on the legacy of optimism and love he shared to the world. His love will remain forever in our memories and in our hearts. Now it’s Lolo’s time to feel the unending love and comfort of Our Father in heaven. Everyone should celebrate his life because he’s the best and will always be! And now he’s in God’s hands, the God of love and our Creator in where all pains and sorrow are gone. He’s feeling the everlasting joy from our Father’s unending glory and love. Thanks Lolo for everything and I praise God for blessing us with you.

My Lolo lived a happy life because wherever he is, whatever he does, whomever he’s with and whatever time it is, my Lolo loved. That’s why I’m telling the world “Wala yan sa Lolo ko!” (“Nothing compares to my grandpa!”)