Aling Dely, a vegetable vendor in the market for many years, worked hard all her life to ensure her only son finished school. When he got married, she was overjoyed—she sold all her savings, nearly ₱3.8 million, to buy a condominium unit in Quezon City. All she wanted was for the couple to have a decent home, without having to rent every month.
When she handed over the land title, she just smiled and said: – “I am old. I have no other dream but to see you happy. Consider this a gift from your mother.”
At first, her daughter-in-law, Trina, was kind and affectionate. – “Mother, you should live here with us. It’s a waste of rent in the province.”
But after four years, Trina gradually changed. She became irritable and often complained: – “You have too much clutter, Mother. You are always noisy, and the child is getting sick because of it.”
One day, while Aling Dely’s son was on a business trip, she was shocked to see her belongings crammed into a suitcase near the door. – “Mother, you are old. Maybe it’s better for you to return to the province. It’s too crowded here,” Trina said coldly.
Aling Dely did not say a word. Instead, she quietly took the suitcase and went down to the condo lobby. There, she called a number—her voice calm but firm.
Three days later, Trina was surprised to receive an official notice from the court…
The Story Continues
Three days after Trina drove Aling Dely out of the condo, the woman was busy tidying up the house. She felt that finally, the surroundings were quiet. No one would remind her how to cook adobo, no one would criticize how she cared for the child.
But when the doorbell rang, she didn’t know that was where the collapse of everything would begin.
“Delivery!” shouted the guard. He handed her an envelope bearing the seal of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
Curious, Trina opened it—and nearly dropped her coffee when she read the content:
“Notification from the court: A case of ‘illegal possession of property’ has been filed against Trina Santos and Miguel Santos.”
She couldn’t believe it. – “What is this?! How can it be illegal possession, this is our house!”
When Miguel, Aling Dely’s son, arrived, she confronted him immediately. – “Miguel! Your mother! She filed a case against us!”
Miguel was just quiet. He read the document, and his face slowly turned bitter. – “Trina… I don’t know how to tell you this. But it’s true—the condo is not under our name. It’s still under Mother’s name.” – “What?! But she gave it to us, right? She was the one who said—‘a gift from your mother’!” – “Yes, but there was no deed of donation. There was no transfer of ownership. That means, legally… she is still the owner.”
Trina was trembling. – “No! I won’t allow this! She can’t take it back!”
In Court
Two weeks later, they faced each other in court. Aling Dely was quiet, wearing a simple baro’t saya (Filipino national dress), while Trina held her head high, accompanied by her lawyer.
“Your Honor,” Aling Dely’s lawyer began, “this condominium was purchased by my client using her own savings. She did not sign any document stating that she gave it away as a donation. Therefore, it is clear that she is the rightful owner.”
Trina’s lawyer immediately interjected: “But Your Honor, there are witnesses! Many heard that Aling Dely had already given the house to the couple!”
Aling Dely just smiled. “Not everything that is said is true in the eyes of the law,” she calmly replied. “I signed nothing. And most importantly, I never easily gave away my love, which included a house like this, to a person who lacks respect.”
The room was silent. Even the judge seemed stunned by Aling Dely’s final line.
After several weeks of hearings, the verdict was released: “The condominium remains the property of Mrs. Adelaida ‘Dely’ Cruz. The current occupants are ordered to vacate the premises within seven days.”
Trina’s Downfall
When Trina returned home, she was hysterical. – “Miguel! How could you let this happen? This is our house! What kind of son are you?”
But Miguel seemed to have also run out of strength. – “Trina, you started this. If you hadn’t kicked her out, it wouldn’t have come to this.” – “So it’s my fault now?!” – “Yes! It’s your fault! You forgot who gave us everything!”
The house was quiet, except for the cries of their five-year-old son, Miko. – “Mama, why is Lola crying on TV?” the child asked, looking at the news report on TV where Aling Dely’s story was being shown—an elderly woman driven away by her own daughter-in-law after buying them a house.
Trina sank onto a chair. Only now did she feel the weight of her conscience.
Aling Dely’s Return
A month later, Aling Dely returned to the condo. She brought documents and a real estate agent.
When she entered, Trina was still there, sitting on the floor, pale. – “Mother… please forgive me. I didn’t know… I don’t know why I did that.”
Aling Dely remained silent. – “You don’t need to apologize to me, daughter. But you need to learn the lesson. A house can be bought. But respect—once lost, it cannot simply be returned.”
She looked at the agent. – “Please sign now. Let’s sell this unit. I will transfer the money to the scholarship fund for orphaned children in Tondo.”
Trina stopped. – “Does that mean… you won’t even live here?” – “I don’t need a big house. I prefer to see a child get a chance, just like the son I put through school before.”
Trina could not answer. For the first time, her tears fell—not because of the house, but out of shame and regret.
Epilogue
Two years passed. Trina and Miguel started anew in a small apartment in Caloocan. Trina worked as a preschool teacher. Every Sunday, they brought Miko to Tondo—where Aling Dely was establishing the Dely’s Scholars Foundation, a small charity for children without parents.
One day, Miko approached her. – “Mama, Lola Dely said that when we know how to forgive, it is lighter in the heart.”
Trina smiled, wiped her tears, and looked up at the sky. – “Yes, son, your grandmother is right. Because sometimes, the best revenge… is not taking revenge.”
Moral of the story: Wealth is easily lost, but kindness and respect—those are the true riches that should be valued.