Senior citizen couple trek barefoot to rice field while carrying 1-year-old great grandchild

A senior citizen couple traverse a rocky and dangerous path while carrying their 1-year-old great grandson to reach a farm field in New Corella, Davao del Norte.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, 75-year-old Lolo Juanito and 65-year-old Lola Rosita dive onto muddy pathways, walk on rocky roads, and climb down a cliff, all the while carrying their great grandchild, Javel, with them.

Lolo Juanito carries Javel, who weighs around 15 kilos, in a basket which he straps on his back.

The couple would reach the field in Barangay Maripong after 30 minutes. Although they don’t own the farm, they were allowed to plant their own crops there.

“Napapagod ako. Nag-iiba na ang aking pakiramdam. Syempre, kailangan nating kumilos sa araw-araw. Kung hindi naman tayo kumilos, wala tayong makakain (I’m getting tired. My condition has been changing. Of course, I still have to work every day. If I don’t work, we won’t have anything to eat),” Lolo Juanito said.

Although it’s dangerous for people, especially senior citizens, to go out amid the pandemic, Lola Rosita and Lolo Juanito continue to toil in the field since they don’t have other sources of income.

Lolo Juanito shared that it wasn’t easy for him to carry Javel around because he was already getting weaker, and his eyesight was also getting worse.

The couple didn’t finish school and couldn’t read or write. Because of this, many of their customers were able to cheat them.

Lolo Juanito said his other siblings also didn’t finish their studies since their parents couldn’t afford it.

Meanwhile, Lola Rosita shared that she was supposed to be taken away by her maestra so she could finish her studies but her father threatened to kill himself.

Although Lolo Juanito didn’t finish his education, he said that he tried to learn how to write and count so he could teach Javel one day.

He said he hoped his great grandson would be able to go to school.

“Ang gusto ko, makapag-aral siya. ’Yang aking apo sinasabihan ko na, ‘huwag kang magganyan. Ikaw, kapag lumaki ka na, pagsikapan mo na makapag-aral ka. Para walang makakuwan sa’yo at may sarili kang pag-iisip (I want him to be able to study. So no one can make a fool of him and he can think for himself),” he said.

Javel’s parents

According to the couple, Javel’s parents, Javel Tino Sr. and Angel, live just across them. However, Javel is really close to his great grandparents as they were the ones who took care of him since he was just 6 months old.

Angel, his mother, said: “Masakit sa pakiramdam. Sabi ko, masisisi ko ang sarili ko. Hindi naman siguro magkaganito ang anak ko, umiwas sa akin, kung hindi ko siya iniwan nung maliit pa siya ( It hurts that my son avoids me. But I have no one to blame but myself. My son wouldn’t avoid me if I hadn’t left him when he was younger).”

Like Lolo Juanito and Lola Rosita, Angel and Javel didn’t finish their education.

Now, Angel works as a househelper while Javel Sr. works as a painter. Both lost their livelihood amid the pandemic.

Although life was difficult, Lolo Juanito shared that he brought Javel to church every week, even if the path was dangerous.

To help out, the KMJS team brought the senior citizen couple to an eye specialist where they find out that they both had cataract.

The optometrist shared that they both had to undergo an eye operation but for the meantime, they were given correction glasses. Lolo Juanito and Lola Rosita are also set to have a physical checkup with an ophthalmologist once their area is COVID-free.

The rural health officials also paid the family a visit and gave vitamins to the couple.

Aside from receiving rice, grocery items and school supplies, Lolo Juanito was also enrolled in the province’s Alternative Learning System program under the Department of Education.

Lolo Juanito shared that he couldn’t thank the people enough and expressed how grateful he was for all the blessings he received. — Kaela Malig/RC/LA, GMA News

For those who want to help Lolo Juanito and his family, please deposit to:

Bank: BDO Network Bank

Account name: Juanito Lintapan

Account number: 040810082748

Mobile number: 0912163 2328