Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Goyong And Lucit

In his younger days, my grandfather was popular among his peers. I didn’t know that until one of my barkada’s grandmother asked me; “Kaano-ano mo si Goyong?” When I answered I’m his “apo”, she began telling me stories about my grandfather’s “escapades” during his student days. It was “colorful” and at the same time strangely creepy. She’s almost as if talking about me. Older relatives would comment - I’m his “carbon copy”. It makes me wonder if the reason why the bond between my lolo and I was strong was because he saw himself in me, both in attitude and appearance. Perhaps it’s true, but we differ in “taste” when it comes to choosing a partner in life.

My grandmother was the opposite of my grandfather. Goyong was the eldest, Lucit was the youngest. He was “fair”, she’s “dark”, got kinky hair and a “hauty-tauty” attitude (“trademarks” in her side of the family). I wouldn’t give a second glance if I meet a girl like her. Out of curiosity, I asked my grandfather what he sees that he chose to marry her; he’d smile and said “she’s meticulous and organized”. Maybe that’s the “quality” he was looking for. Between the two of them, their sheer hard work and determination produced two professionals without any help from anybody. My father and my aunt were the first engineer and doctor hailed from their place. An achievement that earned my grandparents the respect of their town.

Perhaps love was also a factor because in spite of Lucit’s “kasupladahan”, Goyong took it in stride. A grand aunt once told us a story about my grandparents when Lola was pregnant with my father. It's not exactly a scene from Romeo and Juliet but if things didn’t go her way, she’ll climb on the veranda and threatened my lolo; “Goyong, tatalon ako, tatalon ako!” And Lolo on the ground, arms stretched out (as if that’s enough to support the force and weight if she decided to jump) pleaded for her to come down. Later in life, when I teased him about it, he’d just smirked and said “Eh, di tumalon sya ngayon!”

When Lolo passed away at a ripe age of 90, I asked my aunt a silly question; “Aunty, what if some strangers comes to attend Lolo’s wake and tell us they are Lolo’s children?” My aunt laughed and said she’ll welcome them with open arms. It happened that Lucit overheard us and she indignantly blurted “My Goyong would never do that to me!” So I ribbed Lola; “When Lolo was still able, he goes at dawn to tend his farm and arrives home before dusk while you just stayed home. That’s almost 12 hours a day, six days a week that you don’t know what he was doing out there”. And that did it. Her blood pressure shoots up and my aunt had to inject her with something to calm her down. When my father arrived, he inquired why “Nanay” is in bed. Somebody told him. Batok at mura lang naman ang inabot ko sa tatay ko.

Now and then, I still get misty eyed every time I remember my grandparents, especially my lolo. I missed him a lot.

BTW, Happy Valentines to all of you!

17 comments:

  1. My name Christian name or first name they say is my Lolo's name. It is not really that nice sounding was given to me by my parents in honor of my Lolo :) In fact I lived in my grandparents home until grade 6, only to move back to my parents when I went to high school. Yep, we are fortunate enough to bond with our grandparents. A big part of our lives for sure ;)

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    1. I didn't grew up with my grandparents. But on weekend we go and visit them. In summer, depending if my lolo asked my parents that they wanted to "borrow" me, I spent a week or two with them. : )

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  2. love this post, cool blog btw. makes me miss my lolo so much, 95 years old now and was able to hear good stories from his being a soldier in WWII last year before his bday. like you i had great memories of him with me together when i was a child.. God bless!

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    1. Basta "peborit" ka, sayo lahat sinasabi ang buhay nila. Thanks for dropping by. : )

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    2. Ows di nga? Hehe bigla naman akong nalundag sa tuwa sa sinabi mo Mr BlogusVox. I don't see the difference kasi being his apo and being his favorite, basta he's the most kind and funny lolo in the world!

      Btw ganda tumambay dito sa blog mo, nakakabata ulit, bumalik ako nung time na nangunguha ako ng mga puting buhok nila lolo, mama, tatay, at mga tiya para bigyan ng piso tas iipunin ko pangrenta ng komiks. Dito libre na :D

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    3. I don't know about you, gracie but "favorite" means something else to me. In my lolo's last will, only three people were mentioned as his beneficiaries. My Dad, my aunt and me. I'm not the eldest "apo" and he got 6 other grandchildren besides me. >: D

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  3. Si-in mo habu-oe ro picture ni Lolo ag ni Nanay? Well, "Nanay" certainly has willed her traits to the girls in our family.

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    1. That's from Mom & Dad's wedding. I "cut" and paste them together. Ang galing ng photoshop no? : )

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  4. naks, bagong story ah hehehe, bakit ayaw mo ba sa lola mo?? kaw talaga may peborit hehehe...so buhay pa ba si lola mo??

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    1. Ayaw ko ng suplada and ma-arte, sardz. And my lola was full of it. She's resting now along side my lolo.

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  5. What a lovely story! Late ko na nabasa kaya medyo nagtataka ako kung ano ba ang point ng kwento, nasa huli pala. It's a nice story for Valentine's Day, Kuya. U

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    1. Doc, congrats and good luck on your new endeavor. : )

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  6. You're very lucky. I never knew any of my lolos. All I know is that my lolo from my mother's side was quite a character. He was a judge and a musician/composer as well. My elders told me that one day, he just played and played the violin and told those listening that he will die that afternoon. And he actually did!

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    1. No need to know, Ka Rolly. I'm sure your lolo lives inside you. Sa kanya pala galing ang artistic talent mo. : )

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  7. waaah! salbahe ka. pinagdusa mo siya nang ganoon? bad ka, bad!

    pero sa totoo lang, kahit lagyan mo pa ng gps ang babae o lalaki. kung talagang kakaliwa, mangangaliwa.

    saludo sa mga laging nasa tamang landas, lalaki man o babae.

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    1. Kinokonsyensya mo naman ako. Biro lang yung sa akin. Malay ko ba namang mag aalburuto ang lola.

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