A Love, Lost and Found (Luis and Amelia)

This is a story of love that goes beyond the test of time.

Of a love that defies age and knows no boundaries.

Of a love that survives amid life’s adversities.

Of a love that’s selfless and infinite.

Of a love that’s resolute and true.

This is a story of a love, lost and then found.

And this, this is a real one. 

Lola Aurelia Matias (73 y.o.) and Lolo Luis Matias (78 y.o.) had been long married to each other for decades. Among their nine kids, two had already passed away. Lolo Luis suffers from dementia brought about by old age. Lola Aurelia, on the other hand is considerably robust. Back in the day, Lolo Luis wooed Lola Aurelia by singing her songs of Nat King Cole and Tom Jones and of course, Lola Amelia got swooned. Both young hearts in love, they decided to finally settle down. So they did and have since hurdled on every storm that their family had come across with. Lolo and Lola have been simply living on with their lives, holding on to each others arms. They knew they had their time and perhaps are aware of what lies ahead.

           Just when you think that they are done professing their love to each other in their lifetime, they prove us wrong.Love proves us wrong.

On the 11^th day of November, Lola Amelia, busy doing her laundry had left Lolo Luis upstairs after she fed and bathed him. Focused on her unfinished chore, she didn’t notice him come down the stairs and leave the house. She was worried after finding out that he was gone so she went on looking for him around the neighborhood, asking every person she could. But alas, no one knew where he went.

                He didn’t come home. He couldn’t come home.

A couple of days had passed, Lola, desperate and forlorn, searched for him wandering from the outskirts of the neighborhood, walking farther and further away, until she found herself in the bustling streets of the metro.  She only wanted one thing; to find Lolo, her one true love. Pinning Lolo’s picture on paper in front and at the back of her clothes, she gambles her life and races with time, hoping that someone would inform her of his whereabouts. 

Love always finds a way.

A man named Reddie Js, picked up on her, took her photo and posted it on a social networking site. Word got around and then finally, Lola got a lot of help. After almost two weeks of search, the day she was waiting for finally came. Lolo, wandering around the train station, was at last found. In no time, they were back in each others loving arms.

 “My love for him is immeasurable” – Lola Amelia, teary-eyed, expressed. “In sickness and in health, we will be together” – Lolo Luis’ response as they both hug each other. Their reunion was moving and inspiring. It makes us believe in the power of love. 

Finally and fortunately, this is how the story ended. Like the fairy-tales we grew up with, the prince found her princess. Only this time, it was she who found him, and of course with the help of thousands of today’s Fairy God-mothers and fathers.  Though it didn’t ended magically - with a missing glass slipper found, magic-mirror broken down, nor with sparks and fireworks above a castle high, most importantly the story of Lolo Luis and Lola Amelia ended HAPPILY.

And perhaps, EVER AFTER.. .

News Credits:
GMA News
ABS CBN News
Inquirer.net