Mark Mediana

Agripina (Pining) Serrano Mediana, taken June 2024 when I last saw her in Manila. She was 100 then, and she passed away today at 101 years old.

A core memory: She owned a printing press, and I used to run around these giant typesetting machines and cutters—so many things I could’ve lost a limb to. One day, she had a shipment and was talking to the delivery driver. I managed to hop on the truck which was still running, and the road was on a decline. I messed with the controls and somehow managed to put it in neutral. The driver’s back was turned, and I remember my grandma looking up, met eyes just as the truck started moving downhill. She started screaming, and the driver ran, hopped in, and thankfully stopped the truck. I can’t remember if I got a whipping, I definitely deserved it, but it’s a story we both enjoyed.

I’ll always remember her teaching me that life is about seeing the world. She was an entrepreneur, an effortless cook, and a formidable lady in my life.

I’ll miss you, Lola Pining