Filipinos to celebrate Grandparents’ Day this Sunday amid pandemic

Having close family ties is common for Filipinos, and we always look forward to celebrating special occasions with our loved ones.

Filipino families will mark Grandparents’ Day this Sunday, but how can we celebrate amid the pandemic?

In a “24 Oras” report on Friday by Vonne Aquino, sociologist Jimuel Naval said many extended Filipino families lived together because of close ties.

“So meron kasi tayong tinatawag na close family ties. Magkakasama tayo sa isang bahay, isang bubong, isang pamilya kahit may asawa na, doon pa rin nakatira,” said the sociologist.

For Mayet Santos, who lived with her children and grandchildren, celebrating the occasion this Sunday was easy.

“Siguro magluluto na lang kami dito sa bahay, o magpapa-deliver na lang kami, kasi nga hindi naman makakalabas ngayong pandemic ang mga matatanda,” she said.

Pacing del Rosario, who also stayed together with her apos, hoped that the pandemic would end soon so that they could properly celebrate as a family.

“Sana po mawala na ang COVID para makalabas na ang mga senior. Lagi na lang kaming nasa bahay eh.”

Her granddaughter Zhyrill said having her grandparents with them at home was a blessing.

“Sila yung tumatayong pangalawang magulang ko, kasi pag wala sina mommy at daddy, sila yung nagtatanong kung kumain na ba ko, may baon ba ko. Tsaka minsan kahit strikto sila, para rin sa kapakanan namin, para rin sa kaligtasan namin,” she said. – RC, GMA News