This 92-year-old lolo from Masbate crafted his own coffin to save money on future funeral costs

A 92-year-old from Palanas, Masbate has created his own mahogany coffin to save money for his future funeral.

In an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Lolo Sayling said he decided to make and design his own coffin, personalized for his body, to save money for when he passes away.

Lolo Sayling is an expert at creating coffins because this was his job for decades — he claims to have created more than 100 throughout his career.

When his grandfather died, Sayling was among those who made his coffin.

"Naglagare kami ng gabi. Wala pa noong chainsaw, mano-mano lang kami. Trinabaho namin ng gabi dahil 'pag umaga, ililibing na siya," he said.

["We sawed the wood at night since there were no chainsaws back then. We worked manually and had to finish it by morning because the burial was scheduled immediately."]

Lolo Sayling also learned about large funeral costs when his wife died in 2017, and had decided that he didn't want to be a burden for his son Willy, who now has his own family in Manila.

"Nahirapan kami dahil walang-wala kami. Presyo ng kabaong ng aking asawa ay P35,000 nung binili ko."

["It was difficult because we had no money. The coffin I bought for my wife cost 35,000 pesos."]

Given these experiences, Lolo Sayling crafted his own coffin out of mahogany, from a tree he planted when he was 30 years old.

"Nang pagtanim ko, naisipan ko na talaga na 'pag lumaki ito, gagawin ko itong kabaong para sa sarili ko. Singkwentang taon ko itong inalagaan," he said.

["When I planted it, I thought, 'When this tree grows, I'll use it to make my coffin.' I've cared for it for 50 years."]

Lolo Sayling stands at five feet and four inches, and so he added some allowance to the coffin's length.

He has also tried lying down inside the coffin.

"Hindi naman ako natatakot na nakahiga ako sa kabaong," he said. "Salamat naman kasi 'yung ginawa kong kabaong ay sakto naman sa akin."

["I'm not afraid to lie in the coffin. I'm just thankful it fits me perfectly."]

"Maghiwa-hiwalay na lang ang katawan ko, pwede pa ito gamitin ng iba, hindi pa rin masisira," he added with a laugh.

["Even if my body decomposes, others can still use the coffin—it won't go to waste.")

Lolo Sayling makes sure to take proper care of the coffin, even putting it outside in the sun for half a day to keep it shiny.

Not only that, Lolo Sayling has also prepared the clothes he wants to wear for when he passes away.

"Ito ang damit ko nung kinasal kami at ito rin 'yung isusuot ko kapag namatay na ako dahil maayos pa naman. Kasya pa naman," he said.

["This is the suit I wore at my wedding, and I'll wear it again when I die. It still fits me."]

He also put P1,000 in the pocket to pay for the priest and the mass.

The cemetery lot where he will be laid to rest has also already been prepared.

"Andito ang aking asawa pati ang aking mga kapatid. Ang aking ina dito din."

["My wife and siblings are buried here. My mother is here, too."]

And finally, Lolo Sayling composed a song for his wake.

"Pakatapos kong gumawa ng kabaong, sinulat ko na kaagad. Nasa kanta ko 'yung hirap at kung ano 'yung nadatnan ko doon hanggang mamatay na ako. Sinulat ko para kantahin nila kung namatay na ako kasi 'di naman ako makakanta dahil patay naman, kaya basahin na lang nila," he said.

["After making the coffin, I immediately wrote the song. It reflects the hardships I've faced and my life until the end. I wrote it so they can sing it for me when I die—since I won't be able to sing it myself."]

With all of these preparations, Lolo Sayling is confident that his family would be spared from stress when he dies.

"Wala silang problema, masaya sila," he said. "Ang iiyakan lang nila ay pagkawala ko lang. Hindi sila iiyak dahil sa paghingi ng tulong para sa akin. Tutulong na lang sila maghatid papunta sa libingan."

["They won't have any problems—they'll only cry because I'm gone, not because they need to ask for help. They'll simply assist in bringing me to the cemetery."]

Lolo Sayling's neighbors, including the students who go to the school in front of his home, share that they are afraid of the coffin. However, he does not mind that.

"Sinasabi ko lang na bakit kayo matatakot, hindi naman kayo niyan ginagambala," he said. "Hindi nga ako natatakot na andito sa aming bahay."

["I tell them, 'Why are you afraid? It's not going to bother you.' I'm not scared to have it in my house."

Lolo Sayling added that he is also not afraid to die because he has already experienced so much.

"Kuntento na ako sa aking buhay kasi matagal naman na ako dito. Naranasan ko na ang lahat dito sa mundo. Kasiyahan man o mga pasakit. Gusto ko na din na kunin na ako. 'Pag kinakausap ko ang aking asawa, inaawitan ko siya na kunin na ako."

["I'm content. I've lived a long life and experienced both joy and hardship. I'm ready to go. When I talk to my wife, I sing to her, asking her to take me."]

How is Lolo Sayling now?

Lolo Sayling lives alone in his home. Whenever he misses his family, he looks at photos of his late wife and his son Willy.

He also borrows the phone of Alona, a teacher, so he can video call Willy.

"Kung masama ang panahon, madalas siyang tumatawag sa akin, si Manoy Willy. Pinupuntahan ko agad si Tatay Sayling para maipaabot ang mga message na galing sa kanya," Teacher Alona said.

["When the weather is bad, Willy calls me often. I visit Tatay Sayling to relay his messages."]

Lolo Sayling clarified that he and Willy have a great relationship and that his son sends over help.

Willy said he works in Manila to support his family.

"Masakit sa loob po talaga, nami-miss mo talaga. Sabi ko nga kung dalawa ang katawan ko, ang isa, iiwan dito." Willy also promised his father that he will return to Masbate when his kids finish their schooling.

["It hurts not being with him. I wish I could split myself in two so a part of me is always with him."]

Regarding his health, Lolo Sayling's only known condition is hypertension, which he has to take maintenance medicine for.

The local government of Palanas also gives groceries and money to Lolo Sayling.

And so that he will be able to talk to Willy and his grandchildren, the KMJS team gave him his own cell phone.

"Ngayon lang talaga ako nagkaroon ng telepono. Hindi ko talaga ito makakalimutan kahit sa libingan kasi regalo sa akin," he said.

["This is the first phone I've ever had. I'll never forget it, even when I'm in my grave, because it's a gift."]

Through the call, Willy told his father that he is unable to go home because of financial challenges. However, KMJS surprised Lolo Sayling with an emotional reunion with Willy.

Willy admitted that he was hurt when his father made his own coffin soon after his mother passed, but that it is all in the past now.

"Naghanda na ako ng kabaong para hindi na sya mahirapan. Iiyak lang siya kasi wala na ako, pero sa problema hindi na. Wala na," Lolo Sayling said.

["I prepared the coffin so Willy wouldn't have to struggle when I'm gone. He'll only cry because I'm no longer here—not because he has to worry about anything else."]

Willy also told his dad, "Baka next year sama sama tayo ng mga apo mo. Uwi kami. Magre-reunion pa tayo ng mga apo mo."

["Next year, we'll come back with the kids. We'll have a reunion with your grandchildren."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News