Valentine’s Day 1961

By Pamela K. Santos
pamelaksantos.com 

What I remember most about my grandmother Belen is her beauty, captured forever in old photos.  I’m grateful for the times I spent with her in the Philippines because of the memories behind every photo in her albums that she shared. I’m especially grateful for those oral histories of our family and a few keepsakes I took with me to New York now that her mind is lost to dementia and advanced age.   

Some photos, like the one above taken in a Manila studio, speak volumes all on their own.  My lola wrote a short love note on the back (in English!) and sent it to my lolo, “Daddy Mel” was a doctor on an extended trip in upstate New York in 1961.  My father was about 4 years old.    

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Darling, 

This photo does not meet exactly your order but it is not bad to look at. After all you did not love me just for my looks alone, or is it otherwise? But perhaps you do not mind if your wife is glamourized once in a while. You know I am only trying to look pretty just for you.

Love, 
Bel

P.S. This was also taken last Jan. 22, 1961.