Attached is a true story of a Nanny in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The story struck a cord in heart during my childhood years of memories in the Philippines. I have a similar experience, but did not have a chance to repay her. This is my story. My photo below(Nonoy) and my younger brother Erico( Nening), Jaro, Iloilo, April 2, 1937
From 1934 to 1941, I had a Nanny growing up in Jaro, Iloilo City. Philippines. I remember very well how she was so over-protective. I was not allowed to play outside as other boys of my age did at that time. When I was 2 years old, I had polio which had me partially paralyzed for almost 2 years; I was totally dependent on her. She was my second mother, but at that time, I loved her more than my biological mother. I called her Yaya!
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the Philippines in the first week of December, 1941, My Nanny went back to her own town. Our family moved from the city of Jaro to a small town- the ancestral home on my mother (Barotac Viejo, Iloilo). I remember, it took me a couple of months to recover from the initial shock of losing a Nanny. As I was growing up, I sometimes wish, that she may be able to join our household once more. But as fate dictate, the week after Japan bombed the Philippines in December, 1941 was the last time, I saw my Nanny. I had to learn to live without a Nanny who took care of me during the first 7 years of my life. I think it was a blessing in disguise, because, I learned to be independent and took care of my own needs growing up. 
First Picture: Me at 2 years and 2 months old, 2nd: My Boy Scout Years, 1944-1946 and 3rd Photo-Graduation from Elementary School, 1947
Here's a story of the French Boy who was able to Repay his Nanny from My Readings.
"A French man recently traveled to Ivory Coast in West Africa to find a very special person from his childhood—his nanny.
Many years ago, when the man was a little boy, he lived in Ivory Coast with his father. During this time, a kind and caring nanny looked after him. She fed him, played with him, and cared for him like a mother. The boy loved her very much.
Now, 38 years later, the man still remembered his nanny. He wanted to find her and thank her for all the love she gave him as a child. So, he decided to travel back to Ivory Coast to look for her.
After searching, the man finally found his nanny! When they saw each other again, they were very happy and emotional. They hugged tightly, and tears filled their eyes. It was a moment of pure joy.
To show his deep appreciation, the man gave his nanny 10 million francs as a gift. He also arranged a monthly allowance for her, so she could live comfortably for the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, the above story reminded me of the award-winning Singaporean movie, Iloilo.
Set in Singapore, Iloilo chronicles the relationship between the Lim family and their newly arrived maid, Teresa. Like many other Filipino woman, she has come to this city in search of a better life. Her presence in the family worsens their already strained relationship. Jiale, the young and troublesome son, starts to form a unique bond with Teresa, who soon becomes an unspoken part of the family. But this is 1997 and the Asian Financial Crisis is beginning to be felt in the region and Aunt Terry ( Nanny/maid) was dismissed. She returned home to Iloilo- a Province in Panay Island, Philippines. Iloilo, incidentally is my birth province.
Several years later, Jiale now an adult and a successful film maker went to Iloilo to search for his Nanny, Teresa ( Aunt Terry). He found her in one of the rural town in Iloilo alive but living in poverty. Jiale had a happy reunion with His Nanny. He gave Teresa some financial assistance and invited her to visit Singapore to attend the premier of his award winning movie. He inform Teresa that his experience as a boy with her as his Nanny was the inspiration for his award-winning movie.
Iloilo received positive reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was later awarded the Camera d'Or award, an award which recognizes the best debut feature film in the competition. It received six nominations at the Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards and won four: Best Film, Best New Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Yeo Yann Yann.
Lastly, Did you Know That....
Long before the Spanish arrived, the Ivatan people of Batanes were already master builders and defenders. They constructed idiang—massive stone fortresses perched on cliffs—to protect their communities from raiders and pirates.
These fortresses weren’t just walls; they were entire villages, strategically built to make invasions nearly impossible. Today, traces of these ancient strongholds still stand, proving that the Ivatans were warriors as much as they were survivors.
Personal Note: My Daughter Dinah, informed me a couple of weeks ago that I will be a double Great Grand Dad this May and July. Dinah's son, Ian's wife Sara is due this May with a Baby Boy. Moreover Dinah's daughter Elaine is expecting baby Beau David this July. Two great grand kids-another important milestone in my last stage of life. Meanwhile yesterday, would have been Macrine's 89th Birthday as well as Elaine's birthday also. Here's an old photo of Macrine, Elaine and Me taken a couple of years ago during Elaine's graduation.
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