My Lola
Juana
By Melchor
F. Cichon
September 8,
2012
Tomorrow, September 9, 2012 is a Grandparents Day.
And I remember my Lola Juana.
I did not see my Lola on my mother’s side.
But I was lucky to see my Lola on my father’s side. She is Lola Juana No-o Cichon.
She was born in Banga, Aklan. I do not know what year it was.
My first idea of Lola Juana was when I was already in Grade 3.
She liked to drink tuba, or the coconut wine.
At about 8 or 9 in the morning, she would walk from their house to the house of our tuba gatherer neighbor who sold tuba. After drinking tuba, she would again walk to their home, this time a little groggy. Since our house was along the road, I would watch her to kiss her hand. And then she would get me one centavo or five centavo coin from her puyo or clothe purse and gave it to me. Oh, how happy I would be then.
At that time, a one centavo could buy a candy, a dolce de lemon. Unlike now when you need one or two pesos to buy a candy. At that time a ganta or about 2.25 kilos of rice would cost P0.65. Or a bottle of Coke or Pepsi would cost P0.10.
On Saturdays or Sundays, I would visit her in their house and play with my cousins.
But my Lola Juana would always call me and gave me something to eat, either a boiled ripe banana or camote. If she had no boiled banana or camote, she would give me a one centavo coin. I do not know why she always had that one centavo coins in her puyo.
After graduation from my elementary school, my parents decided that I continue my schooling in Zamboanga City. When she learned about my transfer to Zamboanga City, she looked for me. She wanted to give me something for my pabaon—a genuine five centavo coin. I was too happy to receive it. I do not know how I spent that money.
After four years, I went home to my hometown, Lezo.
The first person, I visited after I settled my things, was my Lola Juana. I did not bring her anything for my pasalubong for her. I just wanted to hug and kiss her hand.
She cried upon seeing me. And me too.
I did not stay long in Lezo because I had to go to Manila to continue my studies. So I was again out from my hometown and from my Lola Juan for more than four years.
While, I was in college in U.P. Diliman, I learned that Lola Juana passed away.
Since I could not go home, I just prayed for the repose of her soul. She was 104 years old then.
And I remember my Lola Juana.
I did not see my Lola on my mother’s side.
But I was lucky to see my Lola on my father’s side. She is Lola Juana No-o Cichon.
She was born in Banga, Aklan. I do not know what year it was.
My first idea of Lola Juana was when I was already in Grade 3.
She liked to drink tuba, or the coconut wine.
At about 8 or 9 in the morning, she would walk from their house to the house of our tuba gatherer neighbor who sold tuba. After drinking tuba, she would again walk to their home, this time a little groggy. Since our house was along the road, I would watch her to kiss her hand. And then she would get me one centavo or five centavo coin from her puyo or clothe purse and gave it to me. Oh, how happy I would be then.
At that time, a one centavo could buy a candy, a dolce de lemon. Unlike now when you need one or two pesos to buy a candy. At that time a ganta or about 2.25 kilos of rice would cost P0.65. Or a bottle of Coke or Pepsi would cost P0.10.
On Saturdays or Sundays, I would visit her in their house and play with my cousins.
But my Lola Juana would always call me and gave me something to eat, either a boiled ripe banana or camote. If she had no boiled banana or camote, she would give me a one centavo coin. I do not know why she always had that one centavo coins in her puyo.
After graduation from my elementary school, my parents decided that I continue my schooling in Zamboanga City. When she learned about my transfer to Zamboanga City, she looked for me. She wanted to give me something for my pabaon—a genuine five centavo coin. I was too happy to receive it. I do not know how I spent that money.
After four years, I went home to my hometown, Lezo.
The first person, I visited after I settled my things, was my Lola Juana. I did not bring her anything for my pasalubong for her. I just wanted to hug and kiss her hand.
She cried upon seeing me. And me too.
I did not stay long in Lezo because I had to go to Manila to continue my studies. So I was again out from my hometown and from my Lola Juan for more than four years.
While, I was in college in U.P. Diliman, I learned that Lola Juana passed away.
Since I could not go home, I just prayed for the repose of her soul. She was 104 years old then.
