22/02/2026
When I was just a little kid, I remember sitting on the wooden floor of our living room while Lolo sit in his old favorite chair besides at the window. One afternoon, a butterfly flew inside the house and circled above us.
“May bisita tayo, Andy” my grandfather said to me gently.
I looked around, as I am very confused. “wala man gud, Lo.”
He just laughed softly and he pointed upward. “tan aw gali sa babaw, look there is a butterfly!” and he added “basta gali naay butterfly naay bisita”
Sa time ato wala gyud ko kasabot ni Lolo and I didn’t believe him then. I was just a child back then and to me, it was just a butterfly that got lost and made its way there at our house.
Now, it has been one month since he passed away. The house feels quieter now. This afternoon as I sat in the same spot by the window, a butterfly slipped inside and fluttered slowly around the room. It didn’t rush to leave. It lies near Lolo’s chair then gently circled above me.
For a moment, I feel like crying.
“sakto gyud to g ingon ni Lolo” I whispered to myself.
I just watched it as it stays there and my eyes slowly filling with tears. I remembered how he used to point at those butterfly who would come and how I used to shake my head and laugh at him.
Maybe I was too young to understand back then.
But now as the butterfly linger near me before resting on the window frame,I don’t know why but I felt a strange kind of comfort like a familiar presence telling me that he was still here and is still watching over me.
I kinda feel like it was my grandfather. And so I want to blurt out that I was fine and he should too there at heaven.
And for the first time as someone who only believes in science, I believed.
To my grandfather I miss you💙💙🦋
In the Philippines, there is a common community belief that when a butterfly enters the house, it is not just an ordinary insect but a sign that a loved one who has passed away is visiting. This pamahiin reflects how Filipinos view butterflies as symbols of the soul, remembrance, and the continuing presence of those we love, even after death.
🦋
