This Gen Z from Quezon City went all in to surprise her grandmother for her 78th birthday!
28-year-old Winona Adil did not think twice about spending her savings to finally bring her lola Amada Marcelo on her first international trip.
“Sinabi ko last year na, ‘Sa birthday mo dadalhin kita sa Hong Kong.’ I prayed for it. Napaka-precious ng time eh so ayoko na mag-wait na mag-80th siya. I’m capable naman, meron naman akong savings. Ako talaga ‘yung may gusto na pumunta ng Hong Kong pero ayaw ko na ako lang ‘yung pupunta do’n without her,” Winona told The Philippine STAR.
For her part, Lola Amada admitted that at first, she had reservations about Winona’s plans.
“Syempre, sa akin, medyo naghahalo ‘yung ayaw ko at gusto ko dahil unang-una nga, may edad na ako. Baka hindi ko makaya doon. Tsaka ang hirap hindi na ako nakakalakad nang normal. Kailangan ko may hawak-hawak. So pinagdasalan ko ‘yun at hiningi ko ng tulong. Sa awa ng Diyos, maayos kaming nakarating doon at maayos kaming nakapasyal doon,” Lola Amada shared.
But Winona was dedicated to giving her lola a new experience and a core memory that’s why she planned everything for their trip.
“Kailangan namin mag-ready when it comes sa health, ibi-brief ko siya na ganito, malamig do’n. ‘Pag matanda dapat comfortable siya, na okay ‘yung accommodation, ‘yung sa mga transpo,” Winona said.
Winona works at a hotel in Makati. She noted that it took five months for her to save up almost P90,000 to cover all their expenses abroad.
And it was a huge success after months of planning the trip. Winona and Lola Amada travelled more than two hours by plane to reach Hong Kong.
They roamed around Hong Kong for five days and even enjoyed a day at Hong Kong Disneyland.
“I prayed for it talaga eh, pinagdasal ko talaga siya, hindi ‘yung basta gusto ko lang dalhin siya dito. I asked God if this is the perfect time for me, then go, magiging smooth lang lahat ng processes. Nakapunta ako sa happiest place on Earth with the most important person in my life.Sobrang saya lang sa feeling,” she stressed.
Adding, ”Sobrang mixed emotions, hindi lang ako masaya kasi nadala ko siya do’n at the same time parang I’m healing my inner child. Dati nakikita ko lang ‘to, napapanood ko lang ‘to sa social media or sa TV.”
Winona was a product of a broken family. When her parents had their own respective family, Lola Amada took care of her.
“Kapatid siya ng lola ko. So wala kasi siyang family. Siya ‘yung nagpalaki sa’kin since birth hanggang ngayon na I’m 28 years old. I never felt na may kulang sa’kin, na mag-isa ako, kasi parang pinalaki naman niya ako na pakiramdam ko buo ako kasi nabigay naman ‘yung love. Maliit pa lang ako, minulat niya na ako sa situation na ‘yung parents ko separated na, pero it doesn’t mean na walang nagmamahal sa’yo or kulang sa’yo,” Winona said.
“‘Sa akin na talaga siya lumaki hanggang sa nag-aral siya, ako na ang nag-asikaso sa kanya, gumabay, pumatnubay, tumulong. Sa awa po ng Diyos, maayos ko naman siya napalaki,” Lola Amada noted.
Winona promised to take good care of her Lola Amada and hopes she will be able to pay back all the good things that she did for her.
“It’s long life lang, healthy life lang, and very thankful ako na hanggang ngayong I’m 28 years old, nandito siya sa tabi ko. She’s guiding me, supporting me. I feel protected all the time because of her prayers. Kahit magkaroon ng rewind or next life, siya pa din ‘yung pipiliin ko. Wala naman kasing perfect sa mundo, wala namang perfect mom, perfect grandparents, perfect lola, but merong perfect na unconditional love,” she said.
