Lolo with Alzheimer's disease keeps forgetting his wife is in quarantine

A 76-year-old grandfather who suffers from Alzheimer's disease kept forgetting that his wife was confined in a quarantine facility for the coronavirus.

In the first episode of "Juan Love," GMA Public Affairs' new online show featuring stories of love amid the pandemic, Rogelio Dy's grandchildren said he would look for his wife Erlinda every day.

Lola Erlinda tested positive for COVID-19 on May 21, but Lolo Rogelio doesn't always remember that there's a virus spreading in the country.

"Kailangan pagpasensyahan mo lang tapos mag-e-explain ka lang talaga nang maigi sa kanya," said Jove Pascual, the couple's granddaughter.

Lolo Rogelio would complain about wearing a face mask and insist on going outside to visit his wife at the hospital. His grandchildren would often call Lola Erlinda to calm him down.

"Kapag kinukumusta niya ako, kinikilig ho siya. Nami-miss daw niya ako. Sabi niya susunduin daw niya ako diyan. Sabi ko hindi puwede," Lola Erlinda said.

Lolo Rogelio said he could do nothing but wait until his wife comes home.

"Naaawa nga ako sa asawa ko e. Kung magkakasakit, ako na lang sana, huwag na siya," Lolo Rogelio said. "Syempre mahal ko ho 'yung asawa ko kaya ganoon."

Lola Erlinda finally got cleared to leave the quarantine facility on June 6. Their grandchildren, however, opted to surprise Lolo Rogelio instead of telling him the good news.

He thought he was being pranked when they told him he had a visitor waiting for him outside the house. But when he finally saw Lola Erlinda, he reached for her hand and put it in his forehead as everyone cheered their reunion.

"Tinanong ko siya bakit hindi niya ako niyakap, kasi sabi niya marami raw tao," Lola Erlinda said.

Lolo Rogelio said he decided to shake her hand because they were being teased by their grandchildren and neighbors.

"Sabi, 'O may kissing scene ka na a, kasi andyan na dumating na.' E bihira naman kami mag kissing scene," he said.

Now that they are finally together again, Lolo is doing his best to take care of Lola Erlinda.

"Lagi niya ho akong sinisilip. Tinatanong niya kung kumain na ako. Sabi ko oo. Nasu-sweetan ako sa kanya, sa ginagawa niya," she said. "Mas malambing ho siya sa akin ngayong pagbalik ko."

Lolo Rogelio just couldn't be happier to have his wife by his side.

"Syempre natuwa ako. Makakasama ko na siya sa pagtulog. Pagtulog nga magkahiwalay pa kami e," he said. "Pero masaya na ako nun kasi nakikita ko siya." —MGP, GMA News