Another story yet again proved that a grandfather’s love is unconditional!
Gen Z Ethan Kendall Espejo recorded his grandfather’s sweet gesture last April 20, 2024, as he handed over some coins for his apo’s alkansya to help him financially.
“Sobrang na-appreciate ko. Na-touch na mangiyak-ngiyak ako nung time na ‘yon. Kasiinamin nila sa akin na wala po silang gaanong ipon. Kahit sabihin mong simpleng limang piso, simpleng barya lang ‘yan, para sa akin worth millions na. Dahil hindi mapapantayan ng kahit na anong barya ‘yung pagmamahal,” Ethan told The Philippine STAR.
Ethan grew up with his grandparents as his parents were busy working before his grandfather migrated to the US.
“When Ethan, my grandson, is still young, he sleeps with me. Even if he is already binata na, tumatabi pa sa akin ‘yan hanggang ngayon. Nung nag-aaral pa siya sa elementary, ako ang sumusundo sa kanya. Mabait na bata, hindi iyakin ‘yan. Basta inilagay mo siya isang tabi, hindi ‘yan lalakad o kikibo. Sa classroom naman ‘yan, marunong din. Smart,” Lolo Emil shared as he described his grandson.
It was in 2016 when Lolo Emil and his wife left the Philippines to relocate abroad. For Ethan’s part, it was one of his saddest days.
“Sobrang iyak ko nung time na ‘yon. Napasabak sila sa Amerika kasi parang sabi nila nandun ‘yung future. Parang inisip ko na lang na para sa akin, inintindi ko ‘yung benefits na makukuha nila. Kaya masaya na medyo malungkot pa rin,” he stressed.
Even though they were miles apart, they made sure to talk to each other via video call. After three years, Ethan and Lolo Emil were reunited!
“Hindi sila nawawala hanggang sa academics, hanggang sa pag-support sa akin, sa wellbeing ko po.‘Yung naipon nila pinang [bili ng plane] ticket nila,” Ethan noted.
According to Lolo Emil, he saw how financially responsible Ethan was while growing up. Luckily, he was able to bring that good habit towards adulthood.
“Ang alkansya ko noon, ‘yung cover ng CD, ta’s ite-tape ko sa gilid, tapos ‘yun ‘yung bubutasan ko na lang sa gitna, ta’s lalagyan ko ng barya.Tapos naalala ko, huhulugan niya ‘yon para lang matulog ako sa hapon. Para mag-aral din, ganoon din ‘yung parang luho niya [sa akin],” Ethan recalled.
“‘Pag gamitin mo na, kung kailangan mo na, buksan mo na ‘yung alkansya mo sabi ko sa kanya,” Lolo Emil echoed.
Ethan is currently a college student at the WCC Aeronautical and Technological College Binalonan.
“Kung noon is pansarili ko ‘yung pinang-ipon ko, ngayon ang pinag-ipunan ko ‘yung talagang sa pag-aaral ko po. Konting tulong na din para sa kanila dahil sa mga financial na pangailangan namin,” Ethan said.
Ethan said that he will continue to choose Lolo Emil as his grandfather in every lifetime.
“Kung totoo man ang multiverse sila pa rin ang pipiliin ko. Para sa akin, parang walang ibang makakapantay dun sa pagmamahal na ibinigay nila. Kaya kahit kailan Hindi ko tatalikuran ‘yung pagiging apo ko sa kanila. Daddy [lolo], thank you sa lahat ng support na binibigay n’yo kahit matanda na kayo,” he emotionally said.
