Moms and their moms

Life lessons mothers learned from their mothers

Text: Deneb R. Batucan and Patricia May P. Catan

 

NO MATTER how old one becomes, our moms will forever be our number one supporter, the one who always knows best, and will never fail to take care of us in more ways than one. Being a mom is a job that has no boundaries, yet has a kind of fulfillment that is worth far more than the most expensive things in the world. Heck, being a mother is a priceless experience any woman would be blessed to have.

And since daughters grow up to become versions of their mothers, SunStar Weekend asked moms how their own mothers shaped them into the mother that they are today. Here, they each share an important lesson that their mom has imparted on them, one they will now teach their own children as well — a beautiful legacy that would last for generations to come.

Atlin Garces-Ferrer

The most important thing that I have learned from my mother, Rina, is to always stay humble and learn to appreciate the simplest things in life. My son, Pio, is just two years old, and he already knows how to appreciate all the simple things I do like get him dressed, prepare his food, give him water. He never fails to say thank you and that makes me really proud; the same way I know my mom is proud of me.

Today, we’ll be staying home and I will be cooking dinner for everyone, which is what we always do on Mother’s Day.

Catherine Barrete Quilo-Ancit

My mother has been very supportive even if I already have a family of my own. She has shown me that being a mother is a never-ending job. It continues to grow with time, especially now that I already have a three-year-old son, Gean, who is also under her care. She taught me a strong sense of responsibility and the importance of independence — that I should not think only of the present, but also of the future for my child. I guess this is the reason my son doesn’t cry every time I leave for work. He understands that what I am doing is for him and his future — to provide for his daily needs, and not just simply depend on what my parents can provide.

My mother loves handbags, just like me. Since I am not capable of buying her an original Coach bag just yet, I bought her something similar instead for Mother’s Day. I also bought a cash card from H&M so she can buy something for herself today. When I get the chance to work abroad in the future, I promise to save up and buy her any handbag she wants.

Joan Zanoria

My mom, Precy, has always been a busy working mom, and based on my experience, I have learned the value of independence. I learned to manage my obligations as a wife, mother, homemaker while thriving oneself as a career and business woman. To learn to be independent is one value that I am training my children — that they are able to take care of themselves, to always think that how you handle the present will greatly affect the future, so always plan things ahead.

My mom lives with me in the house and everyday living with her is already giving her a daily simple Mother’s Day gift. However, this special occasion we’d like to give her something extra special besides the time, care and attention we give to her every day. A dinner treat together with the kids and my husband, Jesse, will most probably be appreciated by my mom.

Kaye Obal Gallarde

When I was little, my mom would always let me know that what I was doing or what I was about to do, was a mistake. Nonetheless she would let me do it anyway and later on ask what I had learned from that mistake. It helped me realize a lot of things as I got older. Learning from your mistakes is definitely an important life lesson and with that mentioned, I’d like to teach the same lesson to my son when he gets older.

Today, I’d love to spend the entire day with my mom and family. Something as simple as that is the best way to show her how much we love and appreciate her.

Kim Adarna

My mom, Vivian, has often reminded me to always say please and thank you. She made sure I never took anything for granted and I’ve taken on that quality myself.

I will be spending my Mother’s Day with my mother of course. Me and my two other sisters are planning to have a little surprise for her to remind her how much she means to all of us.

Toni Pino-Oca

My mom is friends with everyone and for her, there’s no such thing as social class. She made friends with our expat neighbors who knew no one in our community, to that old spinster who lived in a shanty near my lola’s house whom everyone called a witch. Everyone avoided her until my mom befriended her. She made friends with a Muslim kid who was always out in the market begging for alms. When she treated his infected wound, he convinced his mother to come see her and told her he made friends with, and I quote, “a good christian.” She’s friends with fish vendors, hung out with ladies who make hanging rice, and market laborers (even that mentally confused homeless woman who always wanders in my old high school) call her “Day De.” She’s kind to everyone she meets and this is something I want my girls to emulate.”

Today, it’s just going to be a day like any other — but with freshly baked choco marble loaf and chocolate chip cookies, all made with love (I’m sure) by Vania. It’s always the little things that matter.

Ekaterina Mika Batucan

Respect — the Filipino way. My son is still nine months old but I’m planning to instill in him the “po” and “opo,” manners that I got from my mother, Emie (and my father too). I want my child to be respectful to his elders and be obedient as well, just like how our mother taught us to be.

Today, we’re planning to have a special lunch at home. We’ll also go and have a nail spa session with her too — mother-daughter bonding time.