RETURN TO SEARCH
ID: TT-4534

Grandmother Surprised By U.S. Navy Granddaughter After 13 Years Apart

An emotional grandmother was brought to tears when her U.S. Navy granddaughter who she hadn’t seen since she was a child surprised her 13 years after they last saw each other. Ligaya Cataquian, 73, had not seen granddaughter Shezka Manaloto, now 21, for more than a decade, as Ligaya moved from her native Philippines to Australia when Shezka was eight years old. In 2011, Shezka, her mother and her two siblings then moved to the United States, and so the distance between the family members became even greater. But in October 2019, with Shezka now grown up and serving in with the US Navy in Japan, her mother, Anna Chiles, 47, saw an opportunity to reunite the family once again. Anna, from Kennewick, Washington, and others were heading to the Philippines for a family reunion in Angeles City, and so she advised Shezka to head to the Philippines a week before to set up the surprise for her grandmother. That week, Shezka - Ligaya’s only granddaughter among seven grandchildren - carried out her usual phone calls with Ligaya as if she was in another country. Then, on October 26, in a hotel where Anna and Shezka’s siblings were staying following their long journey from the US, Shezka sat in wait for her grandmother to enter the room. Sitting at the table as Ligaya entered the room with a walker, Shezka, a petty officer third class, kept her back to her grandmother to build up the suspense. Then, as Ligaya came to the side of a mysterious figure sitting at the table, she suddenly double-took - at first not quite recognizing who was sitting there. But as the dots began to connect, Ligaya then realized that the granddaughter she had last seen as a child was the one sitting down and the pair began sobbing as they made eye contact.
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
* More Information
Location: Angeles City, Philippines
  • Date Acquired: 01-15-2020
  • Date Filmed: 10-26-2019
  • Orientation: Vertical
  • Footage Type: Cell Phone
  • Rights :  TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing
Tags:  navy , reunion , grandmother , homecoming , deployment , philippines , angeles city

Grandmother Surprised By U.S. Navy Granddaughter After 13 Years Apart

Follow link below to enquire about a Custom Package
Order
*Sign In Or Sign Up for Instant Access*
Custom Package? Get In Touch

Dancing Dad Falls Over As Navy Daughter Surprises Him

Sailor Surprises Her Mom After 1 Year Away In The Navy

Navy Brother Surprises Sibling During Football Huddle

Navy Sailor Surprises Brother With Help Of Police

Navy Son Asks If Restaurant Seat Is Taken Surprising Mom After Deployment

Navy Brother Surprises Sister Ahead Of Quinceanera After 1.5 Year Deployment

Toddler Hugs Military Dad For First Time In Eight Months After Deployment

Navy Son Sneaks into Meeting To Surprise Mom

USAF Sergeant Surprises Family After Returning Early From Deployment

Soldier Surprises Cousin While He's Fixing Car

Apache Pilot Surprises Family For Holidays With Early Homecoming

Airman Surprises Sister At Graduation After 3 Years Apart

Air Force Dad Surprises Blindfolded Son After Deployment

Military Dad Dresses Up As School Mascot To Surprise Kids

Military Dad Surprises Daughter With Birthday Homecoming

Girl With Sailor Doll Reunites With Navy Dad After His Deployment

Boy Brings Daddy Doll To Daycare Only To Be Surprised By Real Dad

Dog Reunited With Owner Returning From Deployment

Military Dad Surprises Son Who Thinks He's Meeting Newborn Sister

Dog Reunites With Military Owner In Time For Holidays

Soldier Returns Home To Surprise 170lb Dog In Gift-Wrapped Box

Soldier Dad Stuns Graduating Daughter When He Returns From Deployment

Soldier Surprises Dad In Business Meeting On Return From Deployment

Military Brother Interrupts Teacher Sister's Class In Surprise Reunion

Kids Open Car Trunk To Discover Military Dad Whose Returned From Deployment

Military Husband Surprises Wife By Bursting From Sears Delivery Box

Military Dad Surprises Son At Senior Night Football Game

Emotional Military Reunion At Daughters Final Season Softball Game

Soldier Surprises Parents With Police Escort Homecoming