A grandparent’s love is boundless. They can serve as guardians, mentors, companions, and willing providers of care, but for their grandchildren, arguably the most important role they fill in their lives is being a loving advocate. 

There is a strong bond between grandparents and grandchildren that is built on meaningful connections and interactions. Grandparents, in essence, are the glue that holds the family together as reliable providers of critical support systems for the household. 

If both parents are working, grandparents automatically assume the responsibility of looking after the children in the family. They serve as stand-in teachers during homework time and as a stand-in nurse when a child is sick. 

Did you know? 

Grandparents, under specific circumstances, can also be granted legal authority over their grandchildren. This substitute parental authority comes into effect when the biological parents are absent or deceased.

A landmark case, Horacio and Liberty Luna v. Intermediate Appellate Court (G.R. No. L-68374, June 18, 1985), clarifies this legal role. The case highlights Article 312 of the Civil Code, which states that grandparents "shall be consulted by all members of the family on all important family questions." 

However, the court interprets this to mean that as long as parents are alive, even if they are minors themselves, grandparents and other ascendants (ancestors) do not have direct authority over the children. In such cases, grandparents can offer advice and counsel, but cannot dictate decisions like the children's education.

The legal right, however, to exercise parental authority over grandchildren only applies when the biological parents are no longer alive or are demonstrably absent from their children's lives.

Also, a particularly important role grandparents play is that of custodians of family history.  Through stories and wisdom, Lolo and Lola pass down a legacy of shared experiences, connecting generations and strengthening family bonds.  These narratives encompass triumphs and challenges, everyday life and momentous occasions, even cherished family recipes passed down through time.  These snippets of history, often inherited by grandparents themselves, ensure the continuation of family heritage.

Grandchildren not only cherish their grandparents' stories but also learn valuable lessons from their lives.  Love, perseverance, responsibility, honesty, and strong work ethic are just a few of the values instilled by our elders. 

How can we make grandparents feel loved and valued? 

While they are doing these noble acts without expecting anything in return, it does not cost much to reciprocate their love. 

In the Philippines, Filipinos celebrate Grandparents' Week from March 11 to 18. This is an opportune time to shower our Lolos and Lolas with love and appreciation. 

This special week, pursuant to Proclamation No. 757, series of 1996, acknowledges the universal respect and affection we hold for the elders of our nation.  Filipino culture emphasizes the importance of family, regardless of whether grandparents live nearby or share a household.  In fact, caring for one’s parents and grandparents is considered an honor and a privilege.

On a personal level, our love for our grandparents can be shown in different ways. It can be as simple as doing little acts of kindness like preparing their food, accompanying them to their errands, or plucking their gray hair. 

However, on a collective level, championing the cause of grandparents can not only make them feel loved but also empowered. 

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) put up a special satellite registration for senior citizens nationwide with an aim of bringing its services closer to the elderly population. 

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia expressed the commitment of the commission to make voter registration easier and accessible to the vulnerable sectors of society in a further bid to strengthen the country’s democracy. 

“Sa darating na halalan, isa sa mga pagbabagong gagawin ng Comelec ay lahat ng nakatatanda, at lahat ng mga may kapansanan, mga nagdadalang tao: pabobotohin natin exclusive ng alas singko ng umaga hanggang alas syete,” Garcia shared. 

(In the upcoming election, one of the new initiatives of the Comelec is that all the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women will be allowed to vote exclusively from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.) 

National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Franklin Quijano affirmed the significance of these program initiatives in giving a space and voice to people on the fringes of society. 

“This is empowerment. Alam niyo po ‘pag nabigyan ang mga nasa laylayan ng pagkakataon na makapag-decide sa halalan, lalong ang ating demokrasya ay tatatag,” Quijano said. 

(This is empowerment. If we provide the opportunity for the marginalized to decide on elections, our democracy will be further strengthened.) 

To date, the Philippines has 68 million registered voters. The Comelec is projecting to increase the number of Filipino voters through the continuous rollout of its Register Anywhere Program (RAP) which insofar produced 1.3 million additional voters. 

Related Story: 

You can now register anywhere: Your guide to Comelec’s nationwide voter registration 

Meanwhile, in the city of Valenzuela, the local government has intended to extend love and appreciation to the elderly by catering to their essential healthcare needs. Senior citizens can avail of free vaccination against pneumonia until March 27, 2024. The schedule and site of vaccination can be accessed here: https://shorturl.at/iDTUV.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminded drugstore outlets, pharmacies, and healthcare professionals that senior citizens are no longer required to present a prescription to avail of the 20 percent discount when buying over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as vitamins and food supplements. 

The only documentary requirement that senior citizens must bring is their senior citizen ID or any ID that will validate their age together with their purchase slip booklets for recording purposes. 

By adhering to this administrative order, senior citizens will have an improved and expanded access to their primary healthcare needs. It will also help in lessening the burden of shouldering out-of-pocket expenses to cover healthcare costs. 

Ultimately, these initiatives that cater to the overall well-being of senior citizens and the rest of the elderly population translate the strong affection that we have for our elderly both as a community and a country. 

Many will surely remember their grandparents for the love and dedication they showered on younger generations.  The acts of love–a daily school run, patiently helping with homework, endless searching for school project materials, waiting endlessly through after-school activities–all demonstrate the unwavering love for family.

Their willingness to sacrifice leisure time to support their grandchildren teaches valuable lessons about responsibility and offering help even when it means missing out on personal pleasures.  Whether it's giving up watching a favorite game, skipping a meeting with friends, or postponing a long-awaited trip, these actions showcase the profound bond between grandparents and their families.

This Grandparents' Week, let's celebrate these selfless individuals who enrich our lives with love and wisdom. We owe a debt of gratitude to our Filipino elders, who have showered us with affection throughout our lives. (JMP/PIA-NCR)