If you’re a fan of TikTok videos, then it’s highly probable that you’ve come across Chris Punsalan’s content. This 29-year-old musician and content creator from Henderson, Nevada, boasts 1.9 million followers on the platform, and what sets his videos apart from the rest is that they feature his beloved grandmother, whom he affectionately calls “Lola.”
Chris serves as his grandmother’s full-time caregiver, and his clips showcase the daily activities they engage in together. Although he always aspired to become a well-known YouTuber, it wasn’t until he began featuring his grandmother that he achieved success with his content. Originally from Tarlac, a province in the Philippines, Chris and his family later immigrated to the United States, bringing his beloved Lola with them.
For over two decades, Chris’s grandmother had been an elementary school teacher in the Philippines, and in their TikTok videos, they speak the “Kapampangan” dialect.
In 2015, when his grandmother was 88 years old, Chris and his family had a difficult decision to make: hire a full-time caregiver or take her to a home for the aged. Chris was adamant that his grandmother wouldn’t go to a home for the aged or be with someone she didn’t know. Being close to his “lola” (Filipino term for grandmother), he knew he would be the one to take care of her, referring to her as “Apu” in the Kapampangan language.
Since then, he has devoted all his time to her, recognizing the importance of giving back to the person who gave him so much growing up.
Chris knew that taking care of his grandmother required his full attention, love, and patience, but he was up for the task. Since 2014, he has been sharing photos of his grandmother, and in 2019, he started vlogging about their daily lives. Through these vlogs, people saw their incredible bond. Taking care of his grandmother is not easy, as it requires a lot of attention and patience, but for Chris, it’s all worth it. His grandmother is worth every minute.
People have noticed how soft-spoken and sweet she is, often asking for her rosary and thanking Chris for taking care of her. Chris shows every detail of their daily routine, from preparing his grandmother’s bed and arranging pillows for her comfort to giving her sips of water and telling her how much he loves her.
Additionally, Chris shares the bigger tasks such as how he prepares his grandmother for bath time, how he communicates with her about the outside world, and even how he attends to her needs, such as changing her diapers.
In a recent interview with a local Philippine channel, Chris shared that sometimes he feels afraid when reality sets in. His grandmother has been experiencing memory loss, and there are moments when she forgets who he is and their relationship, which saddens him.
However, he believes that every moment with our loved ones is precious, and we should cherish them while we still can. Chris always goes the extra mile to ensure his grandmother is content, looks after her needs, and knows how much he loves her.