Kaye & Rissa: Redefining Mom

MANILA, Philippines – Juggling responsibilities at home and at work is never easy. And trying to balance them is a more daunting task for some. If there is one person in this world who is able to breeze through it effortlessly, it is Mom. This Mother’s Day, renowned label Kate Spade salutes moms Kaye Tinga and Rissa Mananquil for their everyday heroism and unparalleled style.

Her dedication to her own family and to her extended family of the city of Taguig has made its first lady Kaye Tinga more than just a regular mom. Being an advocate of honing future leaders, she shares this same dream as to how she raises her family. “As a mom, I’m modern and conservative at the same time. I believe in having an open relationship with my children — listening to their opinions and views and getting them involved in decision making,” shares Kaye, who is a mother of four.

Mother’s Day is the time when the tables are turned in the Tinga household. “My husband and kids insist that I laze around in the morning. The kids make me breakfast or their version thereof — meaning juice and cereal, but they make a big presentation of it.” Her family makes her feel that the day is indeed dedicated to her, preparing her favorite DVD series that she would normally miss. And surprising mom is another story. Kaye remembers coming home from a long day’s work. Upon reaching their room, she finds her then five-year-old son Kody by the door, not letting her in. As she was finally able to get through her son in near tears, she finds her room in a big mess! “One daughter looked at me in shock, while the other glared at her brother.” Ready to blow-up, Kaye finds the most unexpected surprise — it was the biggest Mother’s Day card she has ever seen. She was left in tears and laughter afterwards, sharing that “it was just the most incredible thing seeing my children ‘work’ together on a project for me, and that’s why I love being a mom more than anything in the world.” Continuing to make her family her inspiration, Kaye says, “As a wife and mother to our four children, I am deeply blessed and fulfilled.”

Model mom

A prominent face in print and television, Rissa Mananquil still manages to fulfill her greatest responsibility, being a mother. With popularity having its own share of demands, Rissa shares that “nothing compares to being a parent.”

As mom to her now 11-year-old son Enzo, she has lived up to the challenges of motherhood. “No woman should ever feel alone or scared about the challenges she faces in motherhood.” In her family, Mother’s Day is all about sharing great food and laughter.

Rissa says motherhood is the most fulfilling role in life. “Despite the trials I’ve faced in my life, I would never turn back the clock and wish for my life to be any other way,” continues Rissa. Though there may be times when fear gets in the way, her friends become her saviors who, at the end of the day, are also moms who share with her the same fears and relish the same triumphs. “I’ve enjoyed countless conversations with other moms on tips and tricks, anecdotes and advice, but the best conversations will always be with my best friend — my own mother.”

Our moms are the greatest heroes of our time. This season, why not give her something extra to make her feel and look her finest? 

(In the Philippines, Kate Spade is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at The Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3, Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.)