SM Supermalls has special treats to our lolo’s and lola’s this September as we celebrate grandparents’ day on the 10th of the month with a grand 2-week celebration in 63 SM malls in the country.
During the blog conference last Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena Annex Building, Asst. Vice President for Marketing Mr. TJ Cuenca revealed that starting August 29, grand treats and activities which included shopping and dining deals will be given to grandparents including the “act with apo event” at SM Cyberzone and the arts and crafts session up to September 10.
The press also got the privilege to be the first one to see the newest video of SM moment series #DateWithLoloAndLolaAtSM with the presence of the SM executives.
According to Mr. TJ, the touching short film would remind us all that sometimes our expectations can lead to life’s biggest surprises.
“This is the third video we released, this one captures the joy once grandparents find out that they’re gonna have an apo coming and we make it relatable to our audience and shoppers,” he said.
“They are considered as the heart of our families, they are the anchors of values, love and undying guidance that make us all united through the years. Lolo’s and lola’s are well loved by the kids as they share the kind of love that no one can match. That kind of love is something we aim to highlight and pay tribute to this season,” he added.
He further elaborated that this event is giving the grandchildren their chance to bond and spend time with their grandparents and spoil them through fun field events in the mall.
Young looking celebrity grandparents
The event last Thursday even got exciting because of the presence of actress and fitness and wellness enthusiast, Jackie Lou Blanco together with the woman of many achievements and wife of Mr. Pure Energy Garry Valenciano, Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano who both shared their journey being a lola.
Ms. Angeli who waited for three years shared that she was the last one to find out that her son Paolo’s wife is pregnant, she even found out online.
“I had a funny feeling na kasi my son said ‘mom can we go out for lunch?’ and that’s really weird because usually hindi naman formal na ganun. So sabi ko ‘is your girlfriend pregnant?’ Yes mama. So sabi ko we have to just be prepared as parents of course all of us were happy lalo na my mom kasi first great grandson niya yun,” Ms. Jackie Lou narrated when asked how she knew that she will soon become a lola.
The two stated that their grandchildren unified and strengthened their bond as a family.
“She became our bottle of joy, everybody wants us to have lunches together or dinners together and the first question would be is Leah coming?” Ms. Angeli explained.
“Our apo siya yung nagbuklod hindi na mahirap magtawag na oh magkikita ba tayo, pwede ba nating i-meet si Ethan? It’s always such a positive thing, masarap siya hindi nakakastress and even there are things that stressed you out on that particular day, just knowing that Ethan would be there, you will have so much fun truly God’s blessing talaga,” Ms. Jackie Lou elaborated.
When asked if the love for their grandchildren would be greater than the love for their children, the two disagreed to that statement.
They explained that nobody can replace the love of a parent for their children. Yet there’s a different kind of love you can offer for your apo as well as for your children.
Ms. Angeli even shared that after her son Paolo’s wife Samantha gave birth, he suddenly loved her mother more and said that he has a bigger respect to female species when he went sleepless nights for Leah.
“He became softer, wanted to share their daughter to us. I think it opens their minds and gives them a different experience,” she said.
“It’s just naturally fix the things that couldn’t be fixed before parang everything just got settled I just became more appreciative of my mom, I understood her more na dati kahit anong isipin ko di ko maintindihan bakit. Overall the family evolves for the good,” Ms. Jackie Lou added.
They explained that the most important thing grandparents should accept is their independence, you have to accept that you don’t always agree on certain things.
“I really make it a point just to make Samantha my daughter in law relish her being a new mom without someone being a nagger, telling her that’s not the way to do it,” Ms. Angeli noted.
“I would really have to hold my tongue kasi she has her own way. I can make suggestions if they are taken okay but I have to tell myself if it was not taken don’t feel bad. Malalaki na sila doesn’t mean that it’s not your way, it’s wrong they have their own way,” Ms. Jackilou agreed.
“You just have to allow them because that’s the only way they learn, and enjoy. And as grandparents we’re just there for support we cannot demand,” she concluded.
