My godson and memories of godmotherhood

My husband Ronnie and I pose with Grant

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

LET me introduce to you my first godson in the US, seven-year-old Grant Armstrong.

The son of Yulie Leong-on Amara of Iloilo City and Ric Armstrong of Charlotte, North Carolina, Grant was born on April 27, 2006. He studies at Tuckaseegee Elementary School and is passionate about drawing and painting. 

His portrait painting was chosen by his art teacher to represent the school in art competitions. Grant's works were displayed at the Freedom Park in Charlote during the recent Fall Festival.

Grant with his parents Yulie and Ric Armstrong. 

Yulie told me that Grant was a sweet baby and he still is today. Grant is the baby of the family; he adores his older sister Gracie and older brother. He was three years old when his family visited the Philippines.

As a toddler, Grant loved to watch Caillou, Elmo and Thomas. When he got older, his interests expanded to include dancing and he's not afraid to tumble around which worried his mother slightly.

“He is a happy, kind, and loving boy,” Yulie described her son. The mother is also happy that despite Grant been born here in the US,  he loves to eat” bulad” or dried fish and rice.

As the youngest child, Grant competes with his older siblings so the mother has no problem when it comes to socialization. “He can get along so easily with other kids,” Yulie said.

I have a lot of “binata (adolescent)” godchildren in the Philippines (hahahahha) some of whom I couldn't remember anymore though I do remember their parents. 

Grant with his award-winning paintings

It is just like me, I couldn't remember anymore the name of my”maninay (godmother).” What I can remember is that she worked before with Philippine Packing Corp., now Del Monte Philippines. 

Her house in Baluarte, Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental is closed already. Her hair is always tied in a bun; I wish my mother is still here on earth to tell me her name.

I remember that every Christmas day as I grew up that I would walk from Tagoloan town proper (our house at the back of the Church) passing through the Church, plaza and municipal hall in going to Baluarte. 

There was no pedicab or motorized ride at that time. On reaching my “maninay's” home, I remember seeing the grounds are clean and adorned with flowers. I have the impression it was always taken cared of. 

Then I would take her hand and she would “bless” me. She would then offer me snacks and give me my gifts. If she gave me food as a gift, it would be eaten up as I reached home. 

Well, I am now a grown-up “maninay, I think that Grant would be a  good“godfather” when he grows up. Not everyone is given that chance anyway, that's my thinking.

To all my binata in the Philippines, the time will come when I visit you all. Until that time comes, I would always keep you in my prayers. 

The Armstrong family listens to a priest's homily.