Lolo Bong is single, happy, and still in love at 70

Sunday, September 9, is National Grandparents Day. GMA News and Public Affairs is paying tribute to their unconditional love by sharing their incredible stories.

Feeling forever alone? 

At 70, Lolo Bong Infante lives a life of a bachelor. He hasn't married, yet his days are filled with love and he's not lonely. Not when his family is around and certainly not when the love of his life — music — is there to comfort him. 

"Kapag tumutugtog ako parang ang feeling ko, may kasama ako e. Alam mo kung sino ang kasama ko? Yong mga tao sa paikot ko. Magmula harap, side, pati sa likod," Lolo Bong shared.

He started taking music lessons at a young age, with great encouragement from his mother. The piano is his friend and together they make wonderful memories for the people around them.

"‘Yong mga apo niyang maliliit, gusto din talagang mamana 'yong talent ni Lolo Bong sa pagpi-piano. Lahat sila mahilig sa music. Nagrerequest 'yong mga bata tapos tutugtog siya. Tapos ‘yong mga bata naman sumasayaw at kumakanta habang nagpipiano siya. ‘Yon ‘yong madalas na ginagawa nila ‘pag nandito siya sa bahay," said Katrina Adarayan, Lolo Bong's niece.

According to Katrina, Lolo Bong is like a father to her as her parents live in the province. The kids, of course, enjoy having such a talented grandpa. 

At 70, Lolo Bong still misses his parents. There's nothing quite like the care of your mom and dad. He's happy they gave him the gift of music and he pays it forward by sharing the gift with as many people as he can.

"Natutuwa naman ako parang ano... naaaliw na rin ako, naiiwasan ko rin 'yong lungkot ko. Kung ano 'yong ginawa sa'kin ng Mama ko at Papa ko sa aming magkakapatid, gano'n din 'yong pagmamahal ko sa mga pamangkin ko."

Lolo Bong hopes that his music and his love for it lives on in the hearts of the kids for whom he plays. 

At 70, Lolo Bong is still single, but he is never alone. As long as his music lives in the hearts of those who matter, his legacy will never die. — AT, GMA News