Touched by a mother’s love

I was honored to attend the Best Nanay Awards 2016 of Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation last Oct. 29 at the Legend Villas. Ten winners were chosen from the 630 entries from all over the country. The winners of the 3rd Best Nanay Awards 2016 were Anecita Fernandez, Espirita See, Heide Aquino, Amalia Ponce, Pamela Alarin, Adelina San Miguel, Virginia Dahilan, Dolores Balana, Purificacion Ubasa and Maritess Odarbe.

The shortlisting of candidates was held on Sept. 21, 2016 at Café Escudero in Sgt. Esguerra St., Quezon City. The following individuals from various sectors were invited to help us shortlist the 630 nominations: Ms. Yam dela Cruz of the PUP College of Communication,  Polytechnic University of the Philippines; Tetchie Cruz, the executive assistant of Dr. Sansan Hortaleza, Hortaleza Beauty Center; Marnie Herrera Lapus, commercial model, host, and author of The Multiple Intelligences 9-Month Pregnancy Plan; Girlie Zara, chief, Local Governance Performance Management Division, Department of Interior and Local Government; and Janice Crisostomo Villanueva, who is the  founder of Mommy Mundo.

What are the common characteristics of this year’s nominees?

One is that a mother’s love is unconditional. There is also patience and the willingness to sacrifice for her children and family. And of course, strength like that of the tallest tree in the forest, giving the shade of love to those around her.

In spite of a mother’s backbreaking domestic chores at home, she still finds time to listen and emphatize with those around her. And in spite of the sometimes crushing poverty that they have to face, the narratives of hundreds of nominators show that Filipino mothers have the capacity to smile and crack jokes, chasing the shadows away.

Moreover, a mother will do everything to send her children to school. “Si Mama, palautang para lang mapag-aral kami,” according to some nominators. The mothers also have more than one line of work. Hardworking and with a never-say-die attitude, the mothers worked as laundrywomen, vendor  of beauty products, and engaged in buy-and-sell.

A Filipino mother is like a lamp to those around her, radiating her accomplishments to those around her.. Members of a senior citizens’ organization in East Kamias, Quezon City look up to their president as a role model. They said she is their source of inspiration and motivates them not to stop dreaming even in their twilight years.

And there is also the sometimes irritating but also endearing trait of a Filipina mother: “Si Mama bungangera pero mabait,” said one flabbergasted but in the end admiring child.

The board of judges included  Direk Jerome Chavez Pobocan, yoga teacher Lex Bonafe, Dr. Jacel Mabansag of EARIST, Barangay Chairwoman Rosa Magpayo, JT Tubil of Accenture, Arlyne Fernandez of Virlanie Foundation and Zelfa Alvaro of Couples for Christ.

In his speech, MYNP founder Boy Abunda lauded the roles that the awardees played not just as mothers of their families but of their communities as well. He remembered his poverty-stricken youth, when they did not celebrate birthdays in the usual way. They just went to Mass and shared simple food. But their almost-bare table, and their house, was aglow with love.

In the same vein, in spite of poverty, Anecita Fernandez of Masambong, Quezon City, was able to send her children to school. Likewise, she helps her friends and people in the barangay with their needs in her work as barangay staff.

Dr. Espirita See is a 70-year-old eye doctor from Cagayan Valley. A disciplinarian, she imposed curfew in her house and taught her children the values of frugality and hard work. Her grown-up children have also joined organizations that help the poor.

Heide Aquino is a retired professor of Spanish at Ateneo de Manila University. She spearheaded the Jolly Senior Citizens of Barangay East Kamias, Quezon City, and sends children to college, even if they are not her relatives.

Amalia Ponce is a mother not just to her family but to her community and the school where she works. She is the principal of Saint Catherine of Siena Academy in Samal, Bataan. She ministers not only to her students and fellow teachers, but also to the community and neighbors in her barangay. In her they have found a listening ear and a non-judgmental heart.

Pamela Alarin is a 42-year-old mother who is also a tricycle driver with four children. Neighbors seek her opinion because of her positive frame of mind. Even at a young age, she was already earning a living to help send her siblings to school.

Adeline San Miguel is the 73-year-old founder of Tahanang Balik-Alay, a caregiving home for the aged in Taytay, Rizal. She came from a well-to-do family but instead on just enjoying life in the lap of luxury, she chose to help the poor. She also bravely and single-handedly raised her children.

Virginia Dahilan is an 83-year-old mother from Barangay Santol, Quezon City, who sent her six sons to school on a meager government salary and later helped her community as a barangay kagawad. She also won an Ulirang Ina Award in 1994. She still sends poor children to school and has set up the Senior Citizens’ Association of her Barangay Santol.

Dolores Balana is a 61-year-old pharmacy aide at the Bataan Provincial Hospital. Always cheerful despite genteel poverty, she sent her seven children to school. Even as a young girl, she helped send her siblings to school by collecting plastic and sacks that her family sold for their daily needs.

Purificacion Ubasa is a 76-year-old mother from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. She heads the Catholic Women’s League chapter and still works as a marriage counselor. She has five children. She is also the president of the senior citizens’ association in her barangay.

Marites Odarbe is a 44-year-old mother from San Juan, Batangas. She has Parkinson’s Disease but nevertheless works as breadwinner and has written a book, Trust his Will – A Personal Journey from being a Person with Disability to a Person of Destiny (POD).

The 10 awardees received a mother-and-child trophy handcrafted by Ifugao sculptors, cash, gift certificates and products from the generous sponsors. These mothers show the nobility beneath seemingly ordinary lives. They raised children through sheer hard work, and touched everyone with the clarity of their love.

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