Having a child for the first time is both a tremendous privilege and responsibility. That’s why it’s completely valid for new parents to strive to document every aspect of this precious experience. When I was pregnant for the first time, I recorded my daily activities, the food I ate, and even the timestamp of my baby’s kicks in a spreadsheet. After birth, I continued the practice, noting breastfeeding times, my baby’s daily quirks, and milestones in the same sheet. It felt like a normal part of being a first-time parent at 30!
100-year-old diary of dad includes son’s baby milestones
So imagine my surprise when I discovered that my maternal great-grandfather, Dr. Cecilio Origuel Villaraza, Sr., had also meticulously recorded milestones for his firstborn son, Alberto, back in the 1920s. Yep, 100 years ago. That old.
Handwritten and titled “A Chronology of the Life of Alberto Origuel Villaraza. 1st Child,” the document included details everything Alberto needs to know about his life—his parents, his date of christening, and baby milestones.
It was Alberto’s daughter, Adelaida “Lady” Villaraza Mayo, who stumbled upon this 100-year-old diary among her mother photo albums. She shared with Smart Parenting, “I accidentally discovered Lolo Cilio’s diary among the loose photos kept in the brown envelope where old photographs from my mother’s albums were stored.”
Lolo Cilio had a total of ten children, with my grandmother, Teresita, being the third child. However, Lady speculates that he only recorded her father’s milestones as the firstborn.
“Thanks to Lolo Cilio, I learned more about my father’s childhood. I realized then what a devoted father Lolo Cilio was to his son.” —Adelaida Villaraza Mayo
A physician in Majayjay, Laguna, the diary reveals Lolo Cilio’s pride and joy in documenting his son Alberto’s milestones since his birth on August 7, 1920.
Some entries read, “1920, Sept 10 (Friday afternoon) – Observed first sign of speech.”
Vaccination schedules, illnesses like measles or broncho-pneumonia, and even details like when Alberto started eating “caldo” at five months were diligently noted.
On July 22, 1921, Lolo Cilio reported, “Began to stand little by little without support.”
Notably, some pages show a change in handwriting, leading Lady to believe that Lolo Cilio’s wife, Maria Magdalena Origuel, took over when he fell ill.
A family’s heritage treasure
Lady, an associate professor at UP Diliman, emphasizes the value of heritage treasures like Lolo Cilio’s diary. Beyond being a family heirloom, it serves as inspiration for future generations to continue this tradition. She shares how her mother prepared baby books for all ten of her children, motivating her to do the same for her only child.
“I think recording a child’s growth and development as well as milestones is most valuable and precious. It is a parent’s precious gift to his/her child, giving the child a strong sense of his/her family history,” she said.
“The value of good parenthood was among the legacies he passed on to the next generations, and I also consider that a heritage treasure I cherish.” —Adelaida Villaraza Mayo
And for those who think that millennial parents started the trend of taking baby milestone photoshoots, it turns out this practice dates back 100 years. “What I love about Lolo Cilio’s diary is that it also contained precious pictures of my father from six months old until he was a teenager. My mother added later on photos of my father when Lolo Cilio stopped writing on his diary and turned over the diary to her.”
Who would’ve thought that Lolo Cilio’s diary, written a century ago, would be shared with parents and parents-to-be 100 years after? More than anything, it’s a testament to a parent’s love for their child, a timeless example for all of us to follow.
“Thanks to Lolo Cilio, I learned more about my father’s childhood. I realized then what a devoted father Lolo Cilio was to his son. The value of good parenthood was among the legacies he passed on to the next generations, and I also consider that a heritage treasure I cherish,” Lady expressed.