We, Filipinos, are known for our close family ties. Even though we already can stand on our own or have our own family, some of us still choose to live with our parents or let our other kin live with us due to various reasons, thus the prevalence of extended families.
This setup doesn’t only happen to ordinary people, but celebrities as well, as some of them were also raised by their beloved grandparents or able to keep tight bonds with them despite already being busy with their own lives.
Meet the Kapamilya stars who have special attachments with their lolos and lolas through this Kapamilya gallery!
Coco Martin
He may be a great actor and an impressive director, but one of the FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano star’s most important role is being a loving grandson to his Lola Matilde. Despite his busy schedule, he never forgets to spend time with her and even brought her to Tokyo Disneyland in 2019.
Julia Montes
Those who have witnessed her grow in the industry know that she was raised by her Lola Flory Hautea, who she described as a “constant presence” in her life. Thus, in order to pay off the sacrifices and the tender loving care that her grandmother unconditionally bestowed to her, Julia has been working hard to give her and her deaf-mute mother a better life.
Unbeknown to many, Lola Flory sacrificed her salon business in order to fully support her showbiz career. That’s why in 2012, the FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano star opened a new salon for her as a way of showing her gratitude.
Donny Pangilinan
Just by simply observing how he gets along well with her parents and siblings, it’s definitely not a surprise anymore that he also treats his grandparents like his best friends!
In fact, Donny was apparently over the moon when his grandma, former actress Imelda Ilanan, wrote him a handwritten letter which he even boasted on social media. The same went when his grandpa, veteran actor Tony Ferrer, turned 85 years old as he made sure to make that day extra special.
Maymay Entrata
Being raised by her Mama Ludy even before her mother, Lorna, became an overseas Filipino worker in Japan when she was two years old, Maymay deeply cherishes her grandma. Amidst her hectic schedule and the distance since Mama Ludy is currently in Cagayan de Oro, the actress makes sure to still check on and have time with her.
Even though she would have wanted to spend the holidays with her and their clan, but she still chose to keep them safe by deciding not to go home due to the threats of COVID-19.
Liza Soberano
Almost the same with Maymay, Liza also fondly calls her grandparents “mommy” and “daddy”. In her Magandang Buhay interview two years ago, it was her Mommy Divina and Lolo Jeff who raised her and sent her to school when she was still living in America, until she moved to the Philippines at 10 years old.
“I moved in with my lolo and lola when I was four, pero ang tawag ko sa kanila ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ because they adopted me. So parang it always made me feel awkward when I would grandma or grandpa. So ang tawag ko talaga, Mommy Divina and Mommy Jeff. And ‘yun, I grew up with them, sila ‘yong nagpaaral sa akin and then parang every summer vacation and Christmas vacation ko lang dinadalaw ‘yong mommy ko in San Jose (California),” she related.
The Make It With You star also recalled her favorite bonding activities with them as going on walks and visiting parks whenever her ex-bank teller grandma and retired navy grandpa weren’t busy.
Daniel Padilla
Before all the fame and fortune of being the King of Hearts, Daniel had a humble childhood. He may come from one of the biggest showbiz clans, his mother Karla Estrada still had to work hard to provide for him and his siblings. This meant that while Karla worked in front of the cameras, Daniel had to be raised by his grandmother.
The 2 Good 2 Be True lead actor has many fond memories with his lola. She is the reason he loves old music. In an interview on Tonight with Boy Abunda, Daniel shared that he wants to bring her to Metro Manila so it would be easier for him to take care of her. But she prefers the relaxed and simple life in Tacloban.
Vice Ganda
Before becoming almost everyone’s favorite comedian at present, Vice was the favorite grandson of his late Lolo Gonzalo first. The It’s Showtime host and his siblings were taken care of by him when their Nanay Rosario worked in the US, thus he was able to forge a tight bond with him. It may have already been six years since his death, but he still couldn’t help himself from getting emotional whenever he remembers his grandfather.
Our lolos and lolas are like our second parents, right? So we must treasure every second with them!