How did my granddaughter turn 12? Last week on 3 October and why was I surprised by that fact, not the fact that it was her birthday, but the fact that 12 years had passed. I see her all the time as she breezes through the house on a visit coming back from somewhere or on her way to somewhere else.
She is very busy in school, and five days a week she’s at the swimming pool practicing for an upcoming swim meet somewhere on Luzon. Her swim group “The Dolphins” is a close knit family and she has many friends within the group. I won’t bore you with the list of medals and trophy’s they have won.
Our birthday deal is Heather Coleen and I will go to a mall shopping and I pay for her present that she picks out. Doing it that way, I can never get it wrong. The days of a doll in a nice wrapped box are well and truly over.
On the day before her birthday we met at the Harbor Point Mall and started walking, just she and I. I asked where she wanted to start and of course we went to the electronics section. Her desire was the Samsung Tab 3; I groaned inwardly thinking this will hurt. But I found that Samsung makes quite a few products with the same name, I’m holding a Samsung Tab 3 which is also a smart phone and noted it cost over PNP 15,000.00, Coleen quickly set me straight and said; “Lolo don’t you remember you already got me a smart phone? All she wanted was the small tab to do homework assignments on while she was away at swim meets.
Oh only PNP 6,000.00 plus for just the Tab, wow I just saved PNP 9,000.00 and felt quite good about it. Did you pick up on what just happened? I was made to feel good about how much money I was saving vice spending, and that made me laugh when I thought about it. But she’s my only granddaughter and I would have gotten it for her no matter what, because it’s what Lolo’s do. A plastic screen protector and a fancy case to carry her new tab in were also required. Now that also made me smile, as the selection of the color for her new tab was most important, with a lot of hemming and hawing over the selection. But once it’s fitted into the new fancy case you can’t see the color. Oh well!!! BTW it’s neon yellow.
When she was a lot younger I made a promise to Chris and Hanna that I would pay for her private school every year, when the month of May comes around I always hand the money to her in US one hundred dollar bills, and she pointed out how clean American money was vice the pesos she saw her other Lola and Lolo collect at the market. Now this time I paid for her present with a Visa card, which she thinks is way better then new Big head Ben Franklin’s until I explained that I had to pay the bank back the first of the month. But she still wants one of her own, Heaven help us all.
As we proceed to through the mall to find her parents and Lola we ran into a group of her classmates, the fussing over the new tab commenced at a fever pitch, I was shoved to the side as the gabfest commenced, but smiled as her and her friends chatted for 30 minutes. There they were, 8 plus, 12 year old girls talking without texting and having a wonderful time. I can wait.BTW I was introduced to the 2 or 3 young ladies that didn’t know me, and received blessings (Mano Po) from all the young ladies. I like it here in the Philippines.
Off to Texas Joes for a late lunch with Chris & Hanna, Lolo & Lola and our Birthday Girl. All the Cowgirls (Wait Staff) know Coleen, and fussed over her as we arrived. What are the rest of us, chopped liver? They brought her a birthday cake thingy with ice cream and such; as usual the meal was great.
She was dashing off to swim practice, the world seems to revolve around her, but that’s the way it’s supposed to be isn’t it? Friday Night she has a function with her swimming group with more Birthday cakes and food.
I’ll see her again Sunday because often we all get together for breakfast after Mass (Church) if she and her folks are not traveling to a swim meet.
So as I sit and ponder the passing of another year I’m thinking; “Dear Lord, next year she’ll be a teenager! Happy Birthday Heather Coleen Sanguyo!!!
Sounded like a fun time. Enjoy them while you can.
GaryM;
I try to spend as much time as I can with the grandkids, they are the only reason I’ll turn down a beer. (LOL)
Keep living the good life Paul, you are a fortunate man. The birthday thingy at Texas Joe’s is delicious, can’t wait to have another one between SMBs & rum & coke.
Loren,
You coming back this month?
Papaduck
I was planing on the 1st of November but ran into some medical problems that will hold me up for a while.
Loren;
Keep me posted as to how your doing, the cowgirls miss you. (LOL)
Enjoy these times. My youngest is a senior in high school and I spoil her. I can only imagine what that means when we get grandchildren. 🙂
Paul,
Isn’t it fun being a kid? They have it made. Spoiling your Grandaughter makes it even more fun in the Philippines.
Papaduck;
I tried that adult stuff and quickly gave it up, now I like to build a seat cushion fort with my grandson and stay there all day. Naps are great too..
Tom N;
I enjoyed spoiling our daughters, so when I do it to their kids they fully understand that that is my job in life. And I like my job.
I hope that when kids there become teenagers, they dont turn into what so many of them do here, rude, part time obnoxious, and just plane not fun to be around for the most part, once they hit puberty age. Since I dont have much first hand experience there with teenagers, I dont know if its like it is here, but I kind doubt it is, since the kids there are so much more well behaved and courteous than here in the US.
Bill S.;
After going through two teenage girls here I’ll tell you it was fun, they both stayed sweet and respectful. (Unlike me at that time in life) But one of the reasons we stayed here vice moving to the states was that very reason. Now I’m glad we did, and I joke but have no fear that my granddaughter will turnout the same way.
Paul and Bill S –
My observation is this: Filipino kids who are poor are more respectful and more well-behaved than kids from affluent families. Where a less-affluent teenager will see fit to do the mano po in the most humble manner to each and every older person gathered in a room, for example, the rich, spoiled teenager, on the other hand, will walk into the same room loudly with a simple “hi” and a sweep of the hand to indicate that the greeting is meant for everyone in a ridiculous attempt to act and look American.
John;
That could be for a fact the way it is, but I’ve not seen it yet. But the degree of affluence might well be the measure. My granddaughter and her classmates lack for very little, each with the proper nice clothes and electronic gadgets. (Uniforms in school) And I’ve not encountered the American teenage attitude as of yet. But with the internet and American TV, it will someday come to pass. I hope I’m long off this mortal core when it does come to pass.
WOW Paul! I have a 15 almost 16 yr old daughter and a 12, almost 13 yr old daughter in Mactan, hope I can handle it like YOU DID!
Heinz;
No doubt you will, with guidance from adults they will remain well-behaved and respectful. It is one of the great parts of living here. I had very little to do with it, my daughter and her husband Chris get all the credit for my granddaughter..
A belated Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl. Your article brings back memories of my grandparents and how they ” spoiled ” my brother and I when we went to visit them. It is nice to see those kind of things still happen.
Bob New York;
If not for my grandparents I never would have reached age 16. (LOL)
All four are still dear to my heart and memories.
Thanks for sharing Paul. That was a very nice read! They sure grow up fast – don’t they? That was a smooth move about the 9,000php savings. She could be a used car salesman or work for the Government.
Bill
Bill;
Too fast for my liking, but it’s bound to happen. Her mother was able to do the same things to me when it came to shopping.
A very nice story.
Happy belated Birthday Heather Coleen Sanguyo!
Paul as always, I enjoyed the read. You are a wonderful example for many to follow.
Steve;
When I was younger they would point me out as what NOT to do. Grandkids will change you.
What a great granpa you are Paul! Enjoy while you can. They grow up too fast, all you know they will have their own family.
Nilda;
That is so true, I enjoy watching her form into a good human being, you can’t ask for anymore than that.
Hi Paul,
I enjoyed reading your story and looking at the pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Jay;
Thank you for reading!!!