For love of mothers and country

As the 2010 elections draws near, emotions are running high, dissenting views are aplenty and reaching fever pitch. But before we all cast our votes tomorrow, May 10, let us not forget to greet our beloved mothers today, May 9, Mother’s Day. To my Mommy Ching, Happy Mother’s Day! I love you, Mama!

And after we spend time and greet our mothers, we shall show our love to our other Mother — ang ating Inang Bayan by participating in, and being a part of history — the first automated elections in the Philippines.

Since this is an act of love for our Mother country, I thought of asking famous and accomplished celebrity mothers, and mommy bloggers what their thoughts are on this electoral process, I asked them these questions: As a Mother, what does the 2010 elections mean to them? How do they make their children understand, young as they are, the meaning and importance of the elections?

In their own words:

Karen Davila, multi-awarded broadcast journalist, mom to David, eight, and Lucas, two.

“Elections are always meant to move a country forward. Sadly with us, we’ve made decisions that have set us back from our Asian neighbors. After nine years of an administration riddled with accusations on graft and corruption, we need to feel like a strong nation again to feel one. It’s important to choose a leader who will heal our nation but also take us forward economically. We need serious leadership and a vision for a modern Philippines. We must vote for a better future and that’s for our children.”

Daphne Oseña-Paez, producer and host of Urban Zone, blogger and mompreneur, mom to Sophia Rose seven, Lily, three, and Stella, nine months.

“It’s my first time to vote as a Filipino. While many choose to leave I did the reverse — came back and regained my citizenship. I chose to raise my children here. And it’s important that I practise my right to vote and choose our leader. I shield them from politics per se. I don’t want them knowing the concept of a popularity contest. Instead I told them that I’m choosing a leader who is a good, honest and fair man. That we own our city and country So we should choose who’s the best person who will work for us and improve our land.”

Christine Amador, mommy blogger (www.mommyjourney.com), parentin.tv member, mom to Kyla, six and Toby.

“I still remember in 2004, when we had our last presidential elections, my daughter was only three months old, now she is six years old. She knows what is going and she asks lots of questions already. Just like the coming elections next week. She wanted to know what president means and why do we need to vote? I had to explain it to her and in doing so, it helped me do a lot of thinking in deciding who to vote for.   I even asked her afterwards who I should vote for and she replied ‘Sino ba ang may pinakamaraming ginawang mabuti?’ So in her eyes, it is as simple as that.

“Being a mom to two young kids, I know the importance of voting for the correct person who will lead our country. The choice we make now can affect the life of my kids. If the wrong person gets elected, they may suffer the consequences of what our nation might become in a few years time. This is actually what makes me want to go out and vote, inspite of what we are hearing about the Comelec and what we think about them.

“So I urge everyone of you, if you are registered, go out and vote on May 10. The future of our nation and our kids is on the line.”

Dimples Romana, actress, mom to Callie, six.

“With the ads all over the television and the streets, my little Callie once asked what it was all about. I explained to her that our country needs a leader and we need to choose. And she says, “I think mom you should lead because you cook so good so the homeless people will have more to eat.”

Sunshine Cruz-Montano, actress and wife to Cesar Montano, mom to Angelina, eight, Samantha, five, and Chesca, four.

“Elections is very important to me, to my kids and to my entire family. It can change the future of my kids as well as our nation. Election turn-out can declare what kind of books my children will read and all the children in our country. I want my children to be aware of the importance of this triennial event. I want to see my children vigilant in protecting our country’s interest until they grow up and become leaders themselves.”

Katkat de Castro, Bayan Productions president, host of Trip na Trip, mom to Khloe, six.

“The elections for me is having the power to choose the next leader who will also prioritize the needs of the Filipino children. After all, the new president will be very much a part of my child’s growth for the next six years. As for Khloe understanding the importance of May 10, I’m so fortunate that she was exposed to it at an early age. My daughter was born a few days before my dad was proclaimed VP. Through the years, she has seen how her ‘Papu’ (ayaw magpatawag ng Lolo si VP) works. She’s aware that May 10 is all about choosing the right person for VP, who can continue her Papu’s good works. Same thing for president.”

To the empowered moms who I interviewed for this piece, thank you!

As for me, months ago I used to be amused when my five-year-old daughter was singing to the tune of the massively popular jingle of an equally popular candidate leading the survey at that time. (Back then I was also seriously considering to vote for that candidate.) But then the LSS (Last Song Syndrome) only becomes amusing for sometime. After the novelty wanes, you seriously think and realize that one should not vote for candidates based on a jingle, or the impact of their glossy ads, or by surveys and the so called winnability factor. Don’t even think na ‘sayang ang boto ko’ because every vote counts. Platform and track record. Integrity. This is where the process of discernment comes in and it is not a quick process. You study the candidates, especially those running for the highest position in the land. And while there is no such thing as a perfect candidate, one must not choose the lesser evil — because it is still that — evil. I choose the one who is most positive, who doesn’t resort to mudslinging, one who has no messianic complex or bloated ego. One who offers real, workable solutions to our nation’s problems. One who remains steadfast even if the odds are against him. That is the true test of character — and my Presidentiable has shown these strengths during the campaign season.

Just several nights ago, as I was having dinner and watching Tv Patrol, my daughter suddenly blurted, “Gibo Teodoro #8 sa bareta!!”(She meant balota)

I was dumbfounded. And amused again. Just goes to show that children, young as they are, they pick up things like a sponge. My daughter may not fathom the complex political landscape but when I asked her this: “Why is it important to have a good leader?” Her answer was “because we love our country.” And I told her “That is why Mommy is going to vote on Monday. So that our country will have a good leader who will inspire us to do good.”

Our political colors may differ. Come Election Day, we will cast our vote according to our conscience. Even conscience is relative. What may be a good president to you may be different from another. What is defined as an inspiring leader may differ between you and me. It all boils down to respect. We all have to respect each other’s vote. This is the essence of democracy. After the votes are counted, debated and questioned for sure (how the Comelec will carry out its job — that’s another story) and during the transition period, we all go back to the basic reality — we are all Filipinos. One race. One blood. One nation. We have to work towards unity and prayer. All for the love of our Motherland.

To all Mothers, Happy Mother’s Day to you.

At sa ating Inang Bayan, pagpalain ka ng Diyos at bigyan ka ng nararapat na mamuno sa iyo sa susunod na anim na taon.

(Follow me at twitter via @tintinbabao and @parentintvshow. And watch our parenting episodes at www.parentin.tv.)