Grandma Inday showed her love with every hug, conversation, and homemade meal. I feel so honored to be her granddaughter and to have been a recipient of her love. One of my favorite memories of grandma was in 2016 when she was visiting my family in Washington. Grandma had been showing me how to cook some of her favorite foods. One day, while I watched her cook for us, I noticed she was snacking on pieces of raw garlic. I believe she consumed the garlic for health benefits but to this day I can't help but think of grandma everytime I cook with garlic. I will hold her memory in my heart and my actions. She will be greatly missed by all.

One of my fondest memories of grandma was when she taught me how to make her delicious torta cakes. I remember her sprinkling them with a little bit of sugar to make them extra yummy. And how they’d come out of the oven, all nice and warm in their individual little pans; and that the air would smell so sweet from them baking. I remember her cutting into one of the cakes and seeing the bits of pineapple inside. And her handing me off a slice to try, and with the first bites falling in love with it. It became one of my favorite foods she made (karekare being my second). And now she can make torta for all the angels. Rest in peace. Love you always.

My favorite memory of grandma is her big smile and infectious love. She loved hard and if you were lucky enough to have felt her love, you were thankful beyond words for it. She instantly made you feel comfortable and at home. When she came to LA to live for a while with Aunty Lou and Uncle Michael, I was able to spend a lot of time with her. We would sit together on the couch watching tv, eat her favorite Panda Express, laugh together, and sleep together with a space heater, on a warm summer day. She loved being surrounded by family, and I do too. I would come spend time with her whenever I wasn't working or in class. When she moved to the Philippines, seeing her in that environment solidified, that is where she was meant to be. She was so happy being surrounded by all her family and the kiddos. She was treated like a queen, and I am so thankful for that. She is the strongest, most beautiful, loving, caring, sweet women I have had the honor to know. I am happy to know you are surrounded by family up in heaven now Grandma, we love you.

I have a folder where I save recipes, and the best ones are the ones whose titles start with “Grandma’s…” Grandma’s adobo, Grandma’s squash dish, Grandma’s ensaimadas… My favorite memories with Grandma are of her teaching me how to make bibingka (no measuring here!), of plates piled high with freshly fried turon, and her laughing as she dishes up bowls of “instant pancit” made with packs of ramen noodles. She showed us her love through food, through big, smacking kisses on our cheeks, and with the most infectious laughs I’ve ever heard. I know she has passed on her strength and joy to each generation of her family, and I am honored to be a part of that legacy. Mahal kita, Grandma.