I had been married for two years – Maria when my mother-in-law moved from Batangas to Quezon City to live with us. My husband and I – I work as an accountant in Cubao, my husband Jared works as a human resources officer in Ortigas – both work in offices, busy from morning to night. When Nanay Rosa offered to stay and take care of the food, I was happy and content. Because we felt sorry for her age, we agreed to send her ₱10,000 per month for her to take care of the family’s food, as a way to show our filial piety.
At first, I trusted her completely. But after just a few months, my doubts arose in my heart.
Every day after work, the dining table always had a few simple dishes: a bowl of lugaw (watery porridge), fried eggs, and sometimes just roasted peanuts with a little atchara (pickled vegetables). Many of the food was cold, and Jared had to eat spoiled rice. I gently reminded him:
– Mom, I sent money so that Mom could be comfortable in taking care of the food, Mom just bought delicious food for the whole family.
Mom Rosa just smiled:
– “Things are expensive now, sis. Save every cent you can. Just eat healthy.”
When I heard that, I felt sad but remained silent. Until one day, my youngest son Anton whispered:
– Mom, today I saw Grandma eating lechon manok, I asked but Grandma said: “Grandma’s chicken, don’t eat too much.”
My heart ached. Could it be that the money I sent for the whole family wasn’t used?
I decided to put a small camera in the kitchen. Then, when I watched the recording, I was shocked.
In the video, every morning when my husband and I worked, Nanay Rosa would take money to go to the market near our house, buy lots of delicious food: beef tapa, lechon manok, bangus (milkfish), imported salmon, expensive fruits. She kept all of this in her room’s mini fridge. At mealtimes, she would only serve a few simple dishes for the whole family; She would eat the delicious food separately. There were even days when she would call the neighboring comadres to come over, set up a fancy table, and talk and laugh.
I shivered when I saw Anton approaching to ask for a piece of chicken, she shouted and pushed him away. My heart was filled with resentment. The money I had sent with piety to my children had become private parties, while the whole family ate cold rice, my son felt sorry for himself.
That night, Jared went on a business trip to Cebu, I sat alone and watched the video over and over again. Tears kept flowing. I remembered what my biological mother had told me on our wedding day: “Treat your mother-in-law well, treat her like your biological mother.” I picked it up, but what I had received as a right was the unaccepted selfishness.
I didn’t want to worry. My heart was broken. I packed up Nanay Rosa’s things and quietly put them in my suitcase. When she returned from the gathering with friends, she saw me standing there, her eyes went cold, she was a little surprised:
– What are you doing?
I showed her the cellphone playing the video. No explanation. She bowed her head, silent.
I said gently but firmly:
– Mom, I did everything I could. But Mom’s way not only disappointed you, but also hurt Anton. I’m sorry… maybe Mom should go back to Batangas, Mom would be more comfortable there.
She was confused, stammering:
– I just wanted to save money… I guess…
But I made up my mind.
That night, I called a taxi to take Nanay Rosa to Araneta Bus Port (Cubao). No crying, no arguing – just heavy silence.
When I returned to the apartment in Quezon City, I sat next to Anton, stroking his soft hair, my heart trembling. I didn’t blame Nanay Rosa, I just felt sad that sincere feelings had been replaced by selfishness.
From that day on, Jared and I took care of our meals. Even when we were busier, the food tray always had sinigang, adobo, tinola – simple but warm. Anton no longer had to eat cold rice, and I no longer had to suffer from cold food.
The lesson I realized: The virtue of children is not just about giving money, but also putting it in the right place, with the right person. Trust, once betrayed, will leave a crack that is difficult to heal. And sometimes, making a decisive decision is the way to protect your family’s happiness.
She was confused, stammering:
– I just wanted to save money… I guess…
But I made up my mind.
That night, I called a taxi to take Nanay Rosa to Araneta Bus Port (Cubao). No crying, no arguing – just heavy silence.
When I returned to the apartment in Quezon City, I sat next to Anton, stroking his soft hair, my heart trembling. I didn’t blame Nanay Rosa, I just felt sad that sincere feelings had been replaced by selfishness.
From that day on, Jared and I took care of our meals. Even when we were busier, the food tray always had sinigang, adobo, tinola – simple but warm. Anton no longer had to eat cold rice, and I no longer had to suffer from cold food.
The lesson I realized: The virtue of children is not just about giving money, but also putting it in the right place, with the right person. Trust, once betrayed, will leave a crack that is difficult to heal. And sometimes, making a decisive decision is the way to protect your family’s happiness.