These are seen on jewelry, displays, and other forms of décor — but green bones hold a quality more important than gold: a person’s love and kindness.
Rody and his children, Rona and Joe-ed from Bocaue, Bulacan, treasure two necklaces—one framed at their home altar and the other always in Rody’s bag.
The necklaces hold a photo of their late matriarch, Edna, and pieces of her rare green-colored bones. In Chinese belief, green bones found after cremation signify a life of kindness.
The family said that this definitely applies to their mother.
“Nu’ng nalaman ko po na may green bone siya, hindi na ako nagtaka. Kasi alam ko po na mabait po talaga siya. Hindi lang po sa aming pamilya, kundi lahat ng tao,” Rona said on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”
[“When I found out that she had a green bone, I wasn’t surprised. Because I know that she was truly kind—not just to our family, but to everyone.”]
Edna’s life and kindness
Edna, originally from Aklan, moved to Manila in the 1970s as a working student. She babysat for relatives while earning a degree in Psychology.
Her former employer Lolita said they became close when Edna worked for them.
“30 years kaming magkasama. Talagang matulungin talaga siya,” she added, turning emotional.
[“We worked together for 30 years. She was very helpful.”]
Eventually, Edna started a family with her husband Rody.
Rona shared that Edna would do everything for their family.
Joe-ed seconded this, “Lahat po kasi ginagawa niya. Kahit pagod na siya, kahit malaki na po kami.”
[“She did everything for us, even when she was tired, even though we were already grown up.”]
He added that they deeply wanted to give back and make their parents happy, recognizing their kindness and sacrifices.
Edna’s kindness was not just felt by her family, but also by those she was not related to, like her former co-worker Maricel.
“Mabait ho ‘yan si Ate Edna. Para siya kasing pangalawang Nanay ko pagdating sa work,” she said.
[“Ate Edna is kind. She’s like a second mother to me.”]
There were also times when Edna would take care of Maricel’s kids. For their former helper, Angelina, Edna was an answered prayer.
“Kahit wala ang pamilya ko dito, may taong nakilala ko, parang naging magulang ko, naging gabay ko lahat. Ganoon siya kabait,” she said.
[“Even though my family isn’t here, I met someone who felt like a parent to me, and would guide me in everything. That’s how kind she is.”]
Angelina said that Edna helped her study dressmaking while also financially supporting the education of her two kids, describing Edna as someone she could always turn to.
Edna was also an active churchgoer and was a devotee at the Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage Parish Church in Tondo. Every Christmas, Edna vowed to always give gifts to less fortunate children.
“‘Yung gagawin po nila sa Simbang Gabi, kailangan buo po nila ‘yun. Kahit may kasama lang po ‘yung bata, hindi namin inaanak, lahat ‘yun may pamasko,” Joe-ed said.
[“They would complete the Simbang Gabi masses. They would give Christmas gifts to everyone.”]
Edna’s passing
In 2018, Edna was hospitalized after a fall from a car, resulting in a back fracture. Her health declined steadily, leading to dementia and eventual blindness.
When she left her job, Rona spent every day with her mother. She would take care of her at home while her father and brother were at work.
Edna’s body continued to weaken until she had to be rushed to the hospital. When they got there, Edna passed away.
At Edna’s funeral, a relative suggested they check for a green bone, and when she was cremated, they found one and divided the bone to preserve it.
The family then got the bones turned into necklaces. Rona and Joe-ed said they clean them daily.
Meanwhile, the necklace owned by Rody is placed in a box inside a plastic bag. He said it never leaves his bag and keeps him safe.
Green bones and their meaning
There is also a belief that green bones bring luck.
“Minsan po mga nagbebenta po ako ng mga gold. Nagkaroon ako ng buyer [kahit na] parang feeling ko imposible kong mabenta,” Joe-ed said.
[“Sometimes, when I sell gold, it feels like finding a buyer is impossible— but then one always shows up.”]
Rona said she was able to help her family financially. “Hindi po kami na-ze-zero. Siya po ‘yung naging lucky charm ko.”
[“We are never left with nothing. She became my lucky charm.”]
Chinese expert Johnson Chua said green bones bring good karma, with the deceased leaving treasures for their loved ones on earth after returning to heaven.
“It’s not always about money, lumalago tayo sa buhay. It’s also well-known pang-ward off ng mga bad spirit or mga negative energies.”
[“It’s not always about money; we grow in life. It’s also well-known for warding off bad spirits or negative energies.”]
From a scientific perspective, a crematorium staff explained that during cremation, organs and skin burn first, leaving the bones. The operators then sift through the bones, noticing various discolorations.
Doctor Rafael Martires said, “Nagkakaroon usually ng berde na discoloration ‘yung mga buto kapag may mga particular na chemical—mga compounds o mga gamot na na-incorporate o na-expose ‘yung buto doon sa tao. Usually, na-expose ‘yun habang buhay pa ‘yung tao.”
[“Bones typically develop a green discoloration when exposed to certain chemicals, compounds, or medications, either through incorporation to the bone tissue or contact while the individual is still alive. “]
Martires explained that taking certain medications, particularly antibiotics, is linked to the occurrence of green bones or green discoloration in bones.
He added that the bones may also be exposed to certain elements and compounds during the burning process.
Lulu and Nestor’s green bones
Mariness and Monina found green bones in their parents’ ashes after their mother Lulu passed away in 2021 and their father Nestor this year, both due to kidney complications.
“Kahit po Chinese family po kami, wala po kaming alam na mga about sa, kung ano man po about sa green bone,” Monina said.
[“Even though we are a Chinese family, we don’t know anything about green bones.”]
The green bones they collected from their parents were placed into an urn at the family mausoleum.
Lulu and Nestor were both barangay captains and were kind and helpful.
“Sobrang bait naman ng magulang ko hindi lang naman sa amin. Nakikita kasi namin ‘yung pagiging totoo nila sa kapwa nila,” Mariness said.
[“Our parents are so kind, not just to us. We see their genuine care for others.”]
Marilyn was among those who experienced the couple’s kindness and said that they were easy to approach.
“‘Pag ako may karamdaman, diyan ako sa kanya lumalapit. Nabibigyan din kami ng pampagamot,” she said.
[“When I get sick, I go to them for help. They would provide us with the means to purchase medicines.”]
The couple also gave Marilyn a job.
In Nestor’s final moments, Monina saw his imperfections and how his sickness affected him. Despite this, Nestor did his best to provide a good life for his family.
“Tao din lang naman sila na nagkakasala minsan. Pero in general, kung gaano kabuti ang magulang ko, talagang mabuting tao sila. Saksi ang dalawa kong mata,” Mariness said.
[“They are people who make mistakes. But in general, my parents are truly good people. My two eyes have witnessed that.”]
Green bones’ legacy
When Lulu and Nestor passed away, they were mourned by many, but their legacy endures. Mariness and Monina said that their parents taught them the importance of giving back.
Meanwhile, Rody continues Edna’s advocacy by preparing food and loot bags for fire evacuees at the Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage Parish Church.
The beliefs and significance surrounding green bones are the theme of the upcoming GMA Pictures’ Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Green Bones” starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid.
—JCB, GMA Integrated News
