Compiled by Pam Pastor and Nikka G. Valenzuela
For a brief moment, fully vaccinated senior citizens living in areas under less stringent quarantine measures were finally allowed in June to stroll in malls and step out of their homes after over a year of being cooped up at home.
But that freedom was short-lived after parts of the country were again placed under enhanced community quarantine due to rising COVID-19 cases. The new lockdown meant that only essential workers, residents buying food and medicine, and people getting vaccinated were allowed outside of their homes. Senior citizens are still free to leave their homes for grocery and medicine runs, but they are encouraged to stay at home, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The thought of going back into isolation may be depressing to other people, especially to the elderly who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. So, we asked lolos and lolas what their grandkids can do to help them navigate this challenging period. Here are their responses:
Miles L. Almendrala, 60
How many grandkids do you have? Two.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better? Post pictures and videos.
Elisa Cruz, 71
How many grandkids do you have? Two.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better? Well, my grandkids always make my life easier and happier whenever they come to spend a few days with us. They strengthen me and even help me forget about this pandemic.
Luth Querijero, 68
How many grandkids do you have? Four.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better? Call us whenever they have time. My grandkids and I are always on FaceTime because they are at the age where we can have conversations. Their ages are 7, 6, 4 and 3. They often talk about what they are up to or what’s happening with their lives, their activities, and it’s fun! They even report to me when they are scolded by their mommies! When I ask Amaya to dance, she will do it instantly! Even if I miss them terribly, they make me happy. They take away my worries. It’s really just talking to them regularly that makes it better. I appreciate it when they ask, “How do you feel?” or “Are you OK?”
Rudy Esperas, 52
How many grandkids do you have? Three girls, plus another one coming.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better? By visiting and staying in my house more often.
Ma. Asuncion Pascual, 71
How many grandkids do you have? Three.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better? I just enjoy talking to them online because they are in another country. They make me happy. Like with my granddaughter Lucy, we play with her Barbie doll; she shows me all the stuff for her dolls, like hair bands, hair clips, the blower for the dolls, the lipsticks, other cosmetics. She also has a journal where she draws pictures of flowers, butterflies. She shows me her work projects, too.
Maria Paz Zamora, 71
How many grandkids do you have? Two.
What can my grandkids do to make my pandemic life better?
Their parents send pictures and video clips of my grandkids and their family to me through Messenger and Facebook. We also chat a lot.
Julie Paran, 61
How many grandkids do you have? One.
What can my grandkid do to make my pandemic life better? A visit, a hug or even daily photos of him. A call or just seeing him on social media also helps.
Flora Rivera, 68
How many grandkids do you have? Three.
What can your grandkids do to make your pandemic life better?
They are my treasures. Every Sunday, I bond with my three grandkids and it’s really heaven for me. During the first few months of the lockdown, I did not have a chance to visit them because of the health protocols. But now, I visit them every Sunday. INQ