For most married women, the term “biyenan” comes with baggage. There are countless memes, jokes, and teleseryes painting mothers-in-law as overly involved or hard to please. But what if the opposite exists?
What if your biyenan becomes your biggest ally in motherhood?
That’s exactly what Zenny Quilaquil found in her mother-in-law, Leticia De Silva.
Zenny, a working mom of three — including a pair of energetic twin boys and a seven-year-old daughter — knew she couldn’t do it alone. She had her hands full with parenting, work, and life. But she had something not every mom gets to have: a partner in child-rearing, a co-nanay, right at home.
Leticia, 59, is one of the finalists for Best Supporting Nanay, an initiative under Generika Drugstore’s broader mission to celebrate unsung maternal figures in Filipino households. But to Zenny, Leticia already holds the title.
A household built on give and take
At home, Zenny and Leticia work as a team. They alternate responsibilities depending on who’s free. Back when Zenny had part-time shifts that lasted six hours, Leticia would take over and care for the kids. Once Zenny came home, she’d take the reins.
On weekends, it was Lola Leticia’s turn again, especially when the children asked to go out. These outings became their special lola-apó bonding time, filled with laughter, stories, and simple joys.
“Mapagbigay talaga siya,” Zenny laughs. “Minsan nga sobra na. Kahit laruan o gadget, bibilhin agad kapag nakita niyang malungkot o paiyak na ‘yung mga bata.”
It’s in these moments that their differences sometimes surface. Zenny admits they don’t always agree, especially when Leticia gives in to the kids even after a firm “no.” But in the grander scheme of things, Zenny knows how lucky she is.
“Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng biyenan na ganito. Masuwerte ako,” she says. “Kahit may tampuhan o hindi pagkakaintindihan, ang mahalaga pareho kaming ang iniisip ay ‘yung kapakanan ng mga bata.”
Lola’s kind of love
Leticia is no stranger to sacrifice. A single mom to five children, she has long mastered the rhythm of raising kids. She jokes that she’s used to the noise, the chaos, and the mess. But behind that lightness is a heart full of quiet resilience.
While she may not contribute financially, Leticia gives what she can. Oftentimes, her savings go straight to her grandchildren. It may not be much, but it’s always enough to make them feel loved.
And to Zenny, that’s more valuable than anything.
Not perfect, but anchored in love
Zenny is quick to acknowledge that their relationship isn’t flawless. They have occasional disagreements and moments of misunderstanding. But what grounds them is the shared goal of raising good, well-loved children.
Leticia’s biggest dream is simple: for her grandchildren to grow up without the hardship she once faced.
“Gusto ko makahanap sila ng partner na marunong magmahal at mag-alaga. Ayoko na maranasan nila ang hirap,” Leticia shares.
Zenny echoes this sentiment, wishing her children not only find good partners, but good in-laws too.
“’Pag tumanda na sila, sana makatagpo sila ng biyenan na katulad ng lola nila. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng gano’n. Minsan kasi mas pinapansin pa kung may trabaho ka, kung may kaya ka. Pero ang importante, may malasakit.”
Leticia’s 3 lessons for fellow grandmothers
When asked what she’d share with other lolas helping raise their grandchildren, Leticia offered three heartfelt tips:
- Mahabang pasensya.
Misunderstandings are normal, especially between in-laws. But what matters is the effort to support each other, not compete with one another. - Pantay-pantay na pagmamahal.
Favoritism creates distance. Leticia believes every grandchild deserves equal care so that no one feels left behind. - Unawain, hindi lang intindihin.
A soft heart builds strong bridges between generations. The more open and understanding you are, the more peaceful the home becomes.
A quiet example of ginhawa and kalinga
Leticia may not see herself as someone extraordinary, but her daily acts of care and consistency prove otherwise. She is the kind of woman who steps up—not for recognition, but out of love.
In her, we see the kind of ginhawa that Generika Drugstore stands for: comfort that goes beyond medicine, and care that radiates through relationships. The kind of kalinga that doesn’t just support one child, but helps carry an entire household forward.
Zenny and Leticia’s story is not just about navigating in-law relationships—it’s about sharing the load, raising children together, and finding healing in the everyday. They remind us that ginhawa doesn’t always come from a bottle; sometimes, it comes from a warm hand, a quiet “ako na muna,” or a lola who never stops giving.
There are many Leticias out there. And while they don’t often get the spotlight, it’s stories like theirs that fuel Generika’s vision of bringing Ginhawang Generika closer to every Filipino family—especially those whose strength lies in shared love and everyday sacrifices.