In many Filipino families, grandparents are more than just grandparents. They are the ones who help raise us, look after us, and sometimes even become our second parents. 

For some, growing up meant spending afternoons at Lolo and Lola’s house. It meant being welcomed home with merienda, being reminded to eat, or hearing the familiar, “Mag-ingat ka.” For others, it meant having grandparents who were always there to take care of them while their parents were at work. 

That kind of love stays with us. 

This Grandparents’ Day, we celebrate not only the people they are today, but also the important role they played in shaping who we have become. 

How Filipinos Celebrate Grandparents’ Day 

Grandparents’ Day in the Philippines may not be as elaborate as other celebrations, but Filipino families have their own meaningful ways of showing appreciation. 

Some families gather for lunch or dinner. Others visit their grandparents, bring their favorite food, give them flowers or a simple gift, or simply spend the day talking and catching up. 

And sometimes, the best celebration is the simplest one—having everyone together. 

For grandparents, having their children and grandchildren around the table can mean more than receiving an expensive gift. It is another opportunity to see the family they helped build and spend time with the people they love. 

Growing Up Under a Grandparent’s Care 

Ask anyone who grew up close to their grandparents, and chances are they have a story to tell. 

Maybe it was Lola making sure you had something to eat before going to school. Maybe it was Lolo teaching you how to fix something around the house. Maybe it was being allowed to watch television a little longer because “hindi naman pasok bukas.” 

Grandparents have a different way of caring for their grandchildren. 

They can be strict when they need to be, but there is often a softness that comes with being a grandparent. They have already raised their own children, experienced the ups and downs of life, and learned that some things are worth worrying about and some things are better handled with patience. 

That’s why you sometimes hear Filipinos joking that grandparents spoil their grandchildren more than they did their own children. 

And there may be some truth to it. 

The child who was once told, “No, you can’t have that,” might hear Lola say, “Sige na, apo,” years later. 

But behind that generosity is something deeper: grandparents simply want their grandchildren to be happy. 

The Lessons Only Grandparents Can Teach 

Grandparents don’t just take care of us. They pass on pieces of their lives. 

They teach us to respect our elders, value family, work hard, save what we can, and appreciate what we have. They tell stories about how life was when they were young, often stories that remind us that things weren’t always easy, but they found a way to keep going. 

Some of their lessons are practical. 

Others are simple reminders we carry for years: 

“Mag-ipon ka.” 
“Huwag kang susuko.” 
“Alagaan mo ang pamilya mo.” 
“Maging mabuti ka sa kapwa.” 

These may sound like ordinary words, but coming from someone who has lived through decades of experiences, they carry a different kind of wisdom. 

Our grandparents give us something that can’t be bought: perspective. 

They remind us that life is not always about having more. Sometimes, it is about appreciating what we already have and making sure the people we love are taken care of. 

 

Now, It’s Our Turn to Take Care of Them 

For years, our grandparents were the ones reminding us to bring an umbrella, watch where we’re going, eat properly, and come home safely. 

As they grow older, our role begins to change. 

We start checking if they’ve eaten. We accompany them to appointments. We help them with errands. We call just to ask, “Okay lang kayo?” 

And we begin to think more seriously about their protection and well-being. 

We cannot always be beside them. We cannot predict when an accident might happen. But we can take steps to prepare for unexpected situations. 

That’s where personal accident insurance can become part of a family’s protection plan. 

 

A Different Kind of Grandparents’ Day Gift 

A bouquet of flowers, a family meal, or a thoughtful present will always be meaningful. But for families looking for an additional layer of financial protection for loved ones, Personal Accident Insurance is another option to consider. 

It can provide benefits for covered accidental events, helping ease some of the financial burden that may come with an unexpected accident. It may not be the gift your grandparents ask for. 

But it can be a thoughtful way of saying: 

“You spent so many years taking care of us. Now, we want to make sure you’re taken care of, too.” 

Because our grandparents gave us more than childhood memories. They gave us stories, values, traditions, and lessons that we carry into adulthood. 

This Grandparents’ Day, let’s give something back. Visit them. Sit beside them. Listen to their stories even the ones you’ve heard a hundred times. And most importantly, remind them that the love and care they gave us will always come back to them. 

Give your Lolo and Lola a gift that goes beyond the celebration. Give them protection with PersonalFirst Insurance. To learn more, visit philfirst.com.ph.