Mama perked up when she saw us walk into the apartment. The distraction relieved her, if only for a moment, of the nurse who was trying to force feed her with a banana. The matriarch was excited to see what we bought at Greenhills with her money.

“Did you get anything for the kids?” she asked me.

“Yup!” I said as I struggled to fit through the door with my shopping bags.

“Matan-aw ako abi,” let me see, she said.

I popped all my bags on the floor and proceeded to show her the clothes and shoes I got for my daughter and son. The commotion that entered the apartment escalated as I was now an obstacle on the parade route of family members and a driver, who were still bringing in the spoils of today’s shopping spree.

“Will Ella like that dress?” Mama asked.

“I’m sure she will,” I responded. “Thanks Mama. Thank you gid!”

The smile of satisfaction on my grandmother’s face warmed me like a bowlful of hot chicken soup. It was living proof for the act of giving’s superiority to receiving.

I could not want for more from Mama. The gifts she had already given me were beyond material: a privileged childhood; a US education; a template for a life well-lived. Best of all, the potential genetic inheritance of exceptional resilience and strength. Yet she had given me, an adult granddaughter, 10,000 pesos to spend on myself and my kids, not counting the 5,000 pesos she gave me when I just arrived in Manila. The Sunday trip to the country’s most famous and busiest discount and faux-goods marketplace was a command from her. She also gave my mom, uncles and brother money to burn.

“Ano ginpamakal nyo para sa mga asawa nyo?” What did you buy for your wives? She asked her sons.

Ced, my younger uncle, showed her a purse. My older uncle, Tee, displayed the perfumes he got for his young wife.

“Amo lang na?” That’s all you got? She asked. Her reaction was uncharacteristically amusing.

Ced teased, “The funny thing about you now is that you’re forcing us to spend more money. Whereas before, you always reprimanded us for spending too much.”

“Make the most of it now while it’s there,” Mama responded.

Though it felt like Christmas in November, Mama’s words hung with foreboding. Was Mama off-loading what she no longer needed? Did she feel the need for early gift-giving? For the moment, the abundance and joy of our time together as family was all that mattered.

Next: Day Fourteen