A couple from Lopez, Quezon proved that true love does exist.
When 68-year-old Tatay Menandro tested positive for COVID-19 in Nov. 2020, he had to leave the province to seek further medical attention.
And for almost four months, he and his wife, Nanay Gloria, had been apart. The separation took a toll on his wife’s mental health and was later diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
“In February 2021, nanay’s depression and anxiety intensified so she was brought to a psychiatrist and started medication,” their son Melo Valeña told The Philippine STAR.
Tatay Menandro, on the other hand, was confined in a hospital for 18 days. Fortunately, he was able to recover and regain his strength after almost a month of battling COVID-19.
But despite his recovery from the dreaded virus, Tatay Menandro’s autoimmune disease still requires treatment.
“My Tatay got severe COVID-19. He survived it, but developed an autoimmune disease called Pure Red Cell Aplasia. He needs frequent blood transfusion. My Nanay fell into depression and anxiety around January of 2021 because of what happened to Tatay,” he said.
“We had to bring Tatay here in Manila last July for his treatment. We couldn’t bring Nanay along because of her condition. So they had to be apart for 4 months,” Melo added.
On Dec. 4, 2021, the elderly couple were finally reunited in their home in Quezon.
“Inexpect ko na magiging emotional sila pareho, especially si Nanay dahil palagi siyang umiiyak kapag magka-video call sila ni Tatay. This is the longest period na nagkahiwalay sila,” he recalled.
“Sobrang touching po nung moment so lahat kami ay naiyak din nung nakita namin ‘yung reaction nila pareho. Ang saya sa pakiramdam na reunited sila at magkakasama kami ng buong family,” he added.
Nanay Gloria and Tatay Menandro have been married for 44 years.
Melo described them as a very loving and affectionate parents.
“Since home based ang work nila ever since, hindi sila sanay na magkahiwalay. As parents, very understanding and supportive sila,” he said.
“Magkasama na po sila ngayon dito sa Manila. Si Tatay ay blood transfusion dependent pa din. Every 2 weeks siya sinasalinan ng dugo. Hopefully ay maging maayos na ang health niya soon. Si Nanay ay under medication pa din, but her condition is getting better,” Melo added.
Netizens were touched by the genuine and emotional reaction of the couple after being reunited.
“Sana lahat tayo makatagpo ng ganitong pagmamahal,” a netizen commented.
“Pure love right there.Parang feel na feel ko’ yung love nila sa isa’t isa na parang ayaw nila mawala ang isa’t isa,” another netizen said.
As of this writing, the viral post has garnered more than 390,000 views and 43,000 likes.
