My granddaughter, Heather Coleen Sanguyo (AKA Ling-Ling), thinks that having a Kano granddaddy is quite a cool thing. . I’m known to her as “Lolo Daddy Paul” as I mentioned in a comment on LIP last week, the first grandchild in the family names everyone of her grandparents. I’m Lolo Daddy Paul, because she heard all her cousins calling me “Daddy Paul, and since I’m her Lolo, the name just made sense to her. But that is just background as to why the Sanguyo side of her family is miffed at me.
It’s because our granddaughter informed them that she liked dollars better than pesos, and her reason was simple, U.S. dollars were cleaner and neater than the money she saw in the market. This happened because every May when I pay her tuition at her school, I hand her a stack of crisp new hundred dollar bills, and have her pay the school. She loves how neat they look, not knowing that they are brand new. She also thinks the lady on the front must be very important. As its America’s largest bill, I tried to explain Ben Franklin to her, but I stop when I see her little hand moving toward her head.
Rice verses potatoes: She likes potatoes in all forms, she still eats her rice, but when given the choice, potatoes win out every time, the Sanguyo’s jokingly blame that on “The Kano Lolo”. When dinning out, she’ll complain if the restaurant does not serve potatoes. This causes many smiles from her Sanguyo side of the family.
Spaghetti; when she was four she was visiting and I asked what she wanted for supper, and spaghetti was her decision. She stood beside me watching me make the sauce from scratch, and then I cooked up some Italian sausage and beef to make the meatballs. We sat down to eat, and she questioned the garlic bread but liked it. And watched me grating parmesan cheese on top of my meal, and then asked if she could try it. Her mother smiled as she grew up eating it that way. Ling-Ling loved it, and gets angry if someone servers her spaghetti with sweet sauce and Hot Dogs in it, and will then proceed to tell them how Lolo Daddy Paul’s is more masarap.
While eating Mac & Cheese at my house, she fell in love with it, and asked if it would also taste good with parmesan cheese on it. I smiled and told her that she may put parmesan on anything, even rice, if she wants to. The Sanguyo family now stocks Parmesan cheese at their house, Curse that Kano.
While on Subic Freeport we meet for breakfast, Colleen was eating scrambled eggs, rice and some mystery meat. But she looked over at her Lolo, and I’m eating cinnamon French toast and Bacon. When she saw me add the maple syrup, she wanted to try my food. I then found out she had never eaten bacon before, let alone French toast. I slid my plate over and ordered a new one for myself. Watching her eat the bacon, I wisely ordered an extra side order of it. The Sanguyo’s as of now stock bacon, cinnamon and maple syrup at their house, for reasons that I’ll never figure out! A pox on that Kano’s soul.
This was only a few of the many food items Colleen, has learned to enjoy because of me: Root beer Floats, Strawberry Shortcake, Chili Dogs with grated Monterey Jack Cheese, Coffee Ice Cream, Chicken Fajitas to name a few.
BTW: Our daughter, Yohanna May, now pays closer attention, when I cook something, so she can’t teach her mother-in-law. Cooking never was her strong point, but she can do it when no one else will.
Well, I guess by now you’ve figured it out about the two cultures Colleen is exposed to, and she draws from both… The relationship between both of the families is based on love and respect and Heather Colleen is the “Duct Tape” that joins us together, and I was joking about them being miffed…
The Sanguyo’s are an upper stratum family, blessed with property, many businesses and a strong work ethic. We work hand in hand to insure that Heather Colleen, and plus our kids, Chris and YoHanna, want for nothing. Do we spoil them; I certainly hope so, because that’s our job!
I’ve been honored by being invited to every wedding, funeral, baptism and birthday, as I’m considered as a family elder to them. I’m proud to be part of their very large family, and blessed just to know them. But I still can’t switch them to potatoes.
I choose to live here, the Sanguyo family was born here, and none of us are going to leave any time soon.
nice ! very nice !!
Ian;
Thank you!
Paul T.
What a wonderful family. You are so blessed to have a wonderful asawa, kids and granddaughter and be associated with the Sanguyo Family. Its great that they treat you like an elder. But that is something that you have earned from just being nice and respectful. It looks like your americanizing coleen a little bit. Thats ok, she can have the best of both worlds. Good reading Paul!
Paul T.
BTW i hope you and your family had a wonderful Valentines Day and that Colleen got alot of valentine candy so Lolo Paul can get plenty of excercise playing with her. That way you will have earned your San Miguel.
Randy;
Saint Valentine’s Day was San Mig free for me (Tuesday I made up for it.) Just a pleasent day with the family. Days like that are a good thing!
wow i really enjoyed reading that Paul, your very lucky to have such a wonderful family …now dont go teaching your grand-daughter your beer habits when she gets older or she might drink you under the table, lol
David;
The beer factor, the truth is when she’s visiting there is just no time for a bee-ah (That’s Bostonian for BEER.). She was by yesterday and she had a new kite, she kept her Dad and I busy with that, but we all had a Root- Bee-ah float.
Senior;
All Hail Lola Daddy Paul. You truley must have a grand old time sharing your American taste buds and your culinary cusine with your Ling-Ling. You must be chuckling inside everytime her mom and dad have to add a new recipe or condemint to their pantry. I guess you would call it silent subliminal infusion of you American culture. Heck we chose to marry a Filipina and live in thier world why not give them alittle bit of American flavor to spice up thier lives.
As far as working up the social ladder Nice Job.
Have you ever made them an apple pie or hogies?
Mike;
Since there is a Subway shop in Olongapo, you can bet we’ve been there. She likes the 6 in tuna sub because there is enought for two meals in it. Apple Pie, Banana cream pie, and the closest I can come to a Key Lime pie are on her list. Least we forget “MacDo” and their Hot Apple thingy.
Lolo daddy suits you to a tee Paul I bet you are wrapped firm around that little finger and you love it. The relationships we find later after we get married and have kids if we are lucky can be a wonderful plus to our lives. What a blessing to have good people to share time with rolling down a long road. My wife is ok with some of the diffrent foods she trys here as long as we have rice and thank God for an asian food store in Evansville In. My Faimly and I love her cooking She gives us a taste of the Philippines ,She knows her stuff. She is a wonderful cook and I can eat almost anything, some of the fish still looks more like bait to me, but boy she can make somehting out of nothing taste wonderful. Love your articel looking forward to the next one
Eric;
I’m puddy in her hands, and you’re right, I love it!
It’s an adjustment for your wife living in the states, as for us living in the Philippines. As long as I can have my Kano food once a day, I will eat their food. I love Mexican food also, but not everyday, all day.
like a tall ice filled glass of Tanduay & coke ..damn near shed a tear ! Nice article Paul…yur getting sentimental in your youth !
Brian;
I had that tall glass of 12 year old Tanduay Superior & coke, yesterday after helping Colleen fly her kite Monday afternoon. When she left, I flopped in the chair to have a well earned beverage. I am becoming and old softy, aren’t I?
Hey Paul – Spoiler! He he. But that’s your role. For disciplining a kids, it’s the parent’s role. Keep being generous with your American side of the culture, but also never turn her away (I know you don’t) from liking Filipino things.. or food.
PS: High five to your grand daughter, like her, I don’t like sweet spaghetti with hotdog! eww! 🙂
Sugar;
Yesterday (Monday) Ling-Ling sat on a display shelf that held my Navy shadow box, it broke loose from the wall, I grabbed Ling-ling out of the way, my daughter saved my Shadow box from hitting the floor. Ling looked at me, to say she was sorry, I smiled and told her “Sweetheart, that’s accident, easy to fix bukas!” But my her mother already knew that’s how I would react, she knew I’d go for the the baby first. (She know her dad)
“To Spoil and Protect” just like it’s written on the side of a police-car.
Paul, don’t you go sliding by that sentence about making Italian Sausage that fast! Recipe PLEASE! My wife makes great “American” style pizza for me, but we just can’t find any good italian sausage down here. Impart knowledge Chef Paul….please.
Concerning that Pinoy spagetti with hot dog chunks……….YUK! It is amazing how my big pot of American style spagetti sauce and noddles disappears so fast at church pot lucks, while the cold pinoy style sits until mine is gone.
Dave;
My sauce recipe was given to me by a friend in Naples, the beauty of it is to make extra, as it makes great sauce for the home made Pizza, I like to make later in the week. The Italian sausage Is available in many places here in the Olongapo/Subic area. Sorry; I buy it, not make it.
I’ll agree that if a Pinoy tastes sauce made correctly, they do like it better than the sweet sauce that’s served here.
Awww, Paul you really have a sweet side. I still don’t have grandkids but a daughter of friends does call me Daddy Edward. Yes! I like it a lot. Then the treats come out. Found out last month she likes going to the movies in Davao. Meriam bought her and her little brother water guns for Christmas…then told them it was OK to play with them in the house. Her father was not pleased Outside only now.
🙂
Gary;
Sweet in all things, but my Pasta Sauce. (lol)
It is a good feeling nameed Daddy Gary, and kids won’t call you that unless they really like you..
Water guns, I’ll bet that was a bit hit.
My father gave all his grandson a drum on their second birthday, when my brothers and I asked “Why the hell a drum?” He answered with a most evil grin, “Because my father gave all you boys drums on your second birthdays.” It was his turn!
Nice article Paul. I’ll bet Ling-Ling just loves going to Grandpas house. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I went to my grandparents house. They had all the ” good stuff ” while at home it seemed at the time we had all the plain stuff LOL !
Bod;
You got that right, I never figured it out until I became “The Grandpa”, my beer ref has that vegetable crisper draw, that won’t hold beer. So I keep it filled with stateside candy I get on Subic Freeport, my granddaughter, and all the nieces and nephews know it’s there, and know it’s for them. So I’ve got the “Good Stuff” now! And they are well at home by the time the sugar kicks in.
Senior;
You got that right sweeten them up, spin them up, and ship’em home. 🙂
That’s call true parental payback to your children.
Don’t forget to give each grandchild a drum.
Hi Grandpa Paul.
A wonderful story. I never had grandparents. 🙁 So I hope you still spoil all the little sweet grand kids for a couple of years…
Holger;
I never would have seen my 18th birthday without my grandparents, to protect me. (lol) My fathers parents came on the boat from Ireland, and his mother (Grandma Molly) would say to my dad; “So, doyah think you dinna’ do the same thing, when yer t’was a wee lad?” I learned from her about how to be “Lolo Daddy Paul”.
Hi Paul
My son made spaghetti bolognese when the in-laws were visiting, the young ones wanted to know where the rice was.
My Daughter-in-Law is here in England now and we have converted her to potatoes, but she is not so keen on mash. But she likes Yorkshire Puds. My Grandson is being brought to eat food from both countries.
Marjorie
Marjorie;
Tell your son to never tell the kids this. Rice grows in paddies, but spaghetti grows on farms that are a mile long buy only a few inches wide, and macaroni grows on trees.
My daughter while a teenager asked me why I like potatoes better than rice, I told her it was far easier to peel potatoes than rice. I got “the look”, and a “eew Daddy” in return for that.
But joking aside, I see nothing wrong with your Grandson, getting the best from both cultures, it will aid him in his life when he’s grown.
I love Pie & Mash, with parsley gravy and I’m a Yank!
Hey Paul,
Yes! exposing her to the finer things in life. Italian sausage, Bacon, parmesan cheese, Bacon, cinnamon French toast, Bacon, Mac n Cheese, Bacon, Potato, Bacon, Garlic bread, Bacon, Montery Jack(pepper Jack is even better), Bacon, are all of my favorites too.
Did I mention that I like bacon? You just can’t have a good piece of Vennison unless you cook it wrapped in bacon.
Hudson;
Bacon, peanutbutter and banana sandwich, the world loves bacon, even groups that ban pork. Everyone knows once you cook bacon it stops being pork.
Paul,
Keep spoiling her! She is like my boys! They really like it when Daddy cooks the spaghetti! Although Mama is getting pretty good at doing it herself now. The whole family like to come to dinner when I am there because they all know there will be good “Kano” food!
Steve;
Spoiling them is a vocation, and I’m proud of my new career.
It’s funny because my wife after watching me cook, can do a fine job of it herself, as with your wife. But thankfully she still lets me do it. The other side of what you said about cooking for the rest of the family is that; yes it’s true, they’ll know it’s good, and also because there will be plenty of it. (So they can carry some home for breakfast.)
Paul,
You are right on there again! Seems like I have a problem of over cooking also. But I seem not to have to many left overs! I see plenty of bags going out the door as I shake hands when they leave! We keep a stock of those little tin foil “to go” boxes!
I am glad my wife lets me do the cooking sometimes. I enjoy it. You mentioned French toast. I make mine with a little brown sugar and cinnamon! Sprinkle that with a little powdered sugar. Then plenty of Star butter and syrup! My boys love Daddy’s “pancakes”. I do not know why they call them that though.
Steve;
On the French toast, do you add a splash of vanilla to the egg when you whip it? And I prefer Anchor butter from New Zealand, the only butter I’ve ever had better was when I worked in Scotland. Here in Subic we can get Carey 100% Pure Maple syrup, but at $9.00 for 6.5 ounces, that’s a once a year treat, otherwise its Hungry Jack artificially flavored Maple, and for a New Englander that’s a shock to the taste buds.
You made me smile when you mentioned stocking the “Traveler Packs” for food, in the 70’s stateside I used to get a Traveler at last call from the bars. But they stopped that. On Nation Geographic, I saw a show with thousands of leaf cutter ants carrying food back to the nest, guess what it reminded me of?
I’ve been lurking on this site for a couple of years but never posted, but this article touched me.
You’re living the life I wish I could live, I was in the Navy and stationed in Subic Bay 30 + years ago and married a girl there, We’re still married 31 years. Our plan was to get my pension and retire back there. Well, here it is 5 years after retirement, pension secured and we’re still living in the good ol’ US of A.
The reason? My Granddaughter of course. There’s no way in hell I could leave her here and move a 26 hour plane ride away. She’s got me wrapped around her little finger, just like your Grandaughter does you.
There’s a special feeling in your heart for Granddaughters, even more so than your kids or wife, it’s hard to explain it. But I think you came as close to explaining it as I’ve ever seen.
I look forward to more of your articles.
Hey Billy;
I can definitely see your dilemma, If I’d ever had the thought of bailing out of here my granddaughter sure stopped that. I’ve had anchors most of my life, but she was the first to ever own me and make me like it. Something happens when those eyes look up at at Lolo Daddy Paul, then I know there is nothing on God’s green earth I could ever do to disappoint her. It is hard to understand the power they have over us, We don’t try to question it, We just embrace it.
I’m pleased you took the time to comment, don’t be a stranger; Shipmate!
a beautiful article,thanks for sharing
Victor;
You’re Welcome!
When I hear Kano’s complaining about the other side of their family here, I just wonder what they’re doing wrong.