Celebrating the heart of the home on grandparents day
Every second Sunday of September, something magical happens in Filipino households across the archipelago. The aroma of favorite dishes fills the air, gentle hands perform the traditional pagmamano, and stories from decades past weave through conversations that bridge generations. It’s Grandparents Day—a celebration that goes far beyond a simple holiday to become a testament to the enduring Filipino value of family.
“My Lola still wakes up at 5 AM to prepare our breakfast, even at 78,” shares Karen Santos, a working mother of three from Quezon City. “On Grandparents Day, we turn the tables—we cook for her, we serve her, and most importantly, we just sit and listen to her stories.”
This scene plays out in countless homes nationwide, where lolos and lolas aren’t just grandparents—they’re second parents, family historians, and the quiet anchors that hold Filipino families together.
More than just a day
Since its adoption in the Philippines in 1987, Grandparents Day has evolved into something uniquely Filipino. While the concept originated in the United States, Filipino families have infused it with their own cultural DNA—one that already places elders at the center of family life.
“Grand-parenting is a phenomenon in the Philippines,” notes researcher Raquelyn Jumawan-Dadang from Central Mindanao University in her study on grandparents in Bukidnon. “Grandparents attending to their grandchildren in schools and at home is a common scenario. They serve as caregivers or child-minders, extending financial, physical, moral, and spiritual support.”
The celebration extends beyond the traditional gifts and special meals. In multigenerational households—which make up a significant portion of Filipino families—the day becomes an opportunity to reinforce the cooperative spirit that defines their living arrangement.
Keepers of tradition
Seventy-two-year-old Ernesto Dela Cruz from Bataan represents countless Filipino grandfathers who wear multiple hats in their families. Carpenter by trade, storyteller by evening, and chief disciplinarian when parents are at work, he embodies the multifaceted role of today’s Filipino grandparent.
“My apo (grandchild) knows more about our family history than his own parents do,” Dela Cruz laughs. “I tell him about his great-grandfather who fought in World War II, about how our family came to settle in Bataan, about the values that kept us together through hard times.”
These stories aren’t just entertainment—they’re living lessons in resilience, sacrifice, and love that shape the next generation’s understanding of their identity and values.
Complex challenges
Yet behind the celebrations lies a more complex reality. Research shows that while Filipino grandparents overwhelmingly embrace their caregiving role, they also face significant challenges. Financial strain is common—73% of rural grandparents and 50% of urban grandparents in the Bukidnon study reported that caregiving affects their budget significantly.
The reasons grandparents take on primary caregiving roles are varied: parents working abroad for better opportunities, young couples unable to afford independent housing, or family separations that leave children needing stable care. “Sometimes I am offended by their behavior, but they are my grandchildren, I can do nothing,” one grandmother shared, reflecting the unconditional love that defines these relationships despite generational challenges.
Health concerns add another layer of complexity. Many grandparents continue their caregiving duties despite age-related ailments, driven by both necessity and deep familial bonds.
The gift of grandparents
As Philippine society continues to evolve, the role of grandparents remains remarkably constant. They provide childcare when parents work, offer guidance during family decisions, and serve as living reminders of where families come from and what they stand for.
“Grandparents Day isn’t just about honoring the past,” reflects Santos as she watches her children play with their Lola Rosa. “It’s about recognizing that our elders are still very much part of our present and our future.”
In a world that often prioritizes youth and innovation, Filipino families use this day to celebrate something different—the irreplaceable value of experience, the comfort of unconditional love, and the joy that comes from being part of something larger than oneself.
As the second Sunday of September approaches each year, millions of Filipino families prepare to honor their lolos and lolas. They’ll share meals, exchange embraces, and create new memories while honoring old traditions. It’s grand love in its purest form—and for Filipino families, that’s the grandest fun of all.
Grandparents Day in the Philippines is observed annually on the second Sunday of September. The country also observes Grandparents’ Week in March, highlighting the ongoing importance of elders in Filipino society.
