Moms are great and brilliant and they deserve the world, but a lot of times we forget to show our appreciation. Mother’s Day is one of the only days in the year when moms get the spotlight and are showered with all the love and affection that they should get on a daily basis. Being a mom is probably the most unappreciated job in the world even though it’s one of the most important ones. So we wanted to make sure moms know that we do appreciate them even though it isn’t always obvious. We asked a few people about their moms and here are their responses.
Chelsea – Single Mom
What are some hardships you think your mom went through?
My mom had me when she was 29. By then, she had been at her second job and liked the travel company that employed her. They would send her to many tour guide orientation trips abroad to scout for the hippest destinations – it was both fun and culturally enlightening. She also has a very engaging personality, which made it easy for her to make lasting connections with people from all over the world. You could say it was the prime of her life. So when my mom had me, and she was on her own, I think she had to make a lot of difficult choices, just to prioritize providing for me and our family over her own professional growth. Although she did love the company she was working for, I don’t think she could have truly avoided the whispers and work-gossip that would come from being in her situation. My mom handled it all with dignity though, and came out of everything as a much stronger person than she used to be. The company valued her work and had given her many opportunities even after she had me (and she continues to work for them until today). She also made lasting friendships with coworkers who were also in the same boat – they became my ninangs, and we consider them our support group and family friends to this day.
What’s your favorite thing about your mom?
She’s a very thorough person, very punctual, and thinks of other people before herself. 
What’s your favorite memory with your mom? She was a big fan of the WWE when I was in elementary, so I also became a fan (manok ko si Undertaker). So on some Sunday afternoons, we would print and cut out pictures of our favorite wrestlers and watch some matches together on the TV. She would also let me choke-slam the pillows. I guess that’s just one fun memory, there are many others, but I suppose this one highlights how unconventional we were (but it worked!)
What’s one thing your mom has done for you that she thinks is a small thing, but means the world to you?
When she receives a food allowance for overtime work, she always calls me up to ask what I want as a nighttime snack before coming home, then orders that for us to share. She always works overtime, but I never complained because I knew from a young age that it was all for our family.
What is the one thing you wish your mom knew that you thought about her?
We have our disagreements (a lot of them, which seem to be a generational thing) but despite those, I think she’s a truly kind and strong person and that’s why many people gravitate towards her.
Do you have any wishes you have for you mom (that you don’t mind being in an article?)
I just wish that she stays in good health and that we have more years to enjoy together. Now that I’m starting my own family, I hope she’d be able to teach me how to be strong, yet kind – like how she was to me. I also wish that as the years go by, I’d be able to support her and inspire some of her happiness.
Marco – Older Mom
What are some hardships you think your mom went through given the age at which she had you?
My mom was pushing 40 when she had me. I am sure that must have been more difficult than her previous pregnancies. She was probably also worried about me having a birth defect due to her age. I came out fine, mostly.
What’s your favorite thing about your mom?
My mom is a great listener. You can ramble about almost anything and she will sit there, take in all the information, and give an opinion or statement, regardless of her knowledge of the subject. You can talk to her about anything, and she’ll be willing to have the conversation.
What’s your favorite memory with your mom?
I was pretty down one night and I decided to have a drink. I grabbed a bottle of some clear alcohol and plopped down on one of our bar stools. I was probably 5 shots in when my mom came down from her room. I was clearly inebriated so I just admitted the fact right away. I thought she would get mad at me but she didn’t. She just asked why I was drinking and offered me some wine instead. She grabbed herself a glass and we just talked my problems away.
What’s one thing your mom has done for you that she thinks is a small thing, but means the world to you?
Whenever I am gone for a long time, my favorite meal is always the dinner we have the night that I come home or the night before I have to leave again. She never says anything but I know she’s doing it on purpose. Maybe it’s to persuade me to stay longer.
What is the one thing you wish your mom knew that you thought about her?
I hope my mom knows that she is probably the one knows the most about me, other than my significant other. I rarely talk about myself, especially problems I am going through. It’s just so easy to talk to her.
Do you have any wishes you have for your mom?
I really hope that my mom can look back at her life and say that she’s proud of herself. My mom used to have a problem with pleasing people. I just wish that at the end of the day she’s pleased with the life she’s lived.
Keisha* – Dad that had to stand in as Mom
What are some hardships you think your dad went through given your family situation?
Being a genuine Chinese, it’s already hard for him to communicate in Filipino. In both business and taking care of household stuff, communication plays a big part. He has to talk a lot of people for business at the same time he has to learn how to talk to tinderas in the wet market. Balancing time is also a big challenge, while trying to make money for the family he has to make sure that we have food to eat, our clothes are clean, we’re studying well and he gets to school in time for parents’ school visit day.
What’s your favorite thing about your dad?
He’s strict but not super strict. He’s lenient enough to teach us to be responsible of our actions and decisions.
What’s your favorite memory with your dad?
Sitting on his lap while he drinks beer and feeds me his pulutan 
This will always be a fun memory to talk about. He’ll always say “merong matakaw na umuupo sa lap ko kapag umiinom ako ng beer kasi magpapasubo ng pulutan” this was I think when I was around 4-5 years old,
What’s one thing your dad has done for you that he thinks is a small thing, but means the world to you?
Making sure that shrimps are cooked only when I am eating at home. He knows I love shrimps. It’s actually a super petty thing but he makes me feel like I’ll always be his little princess.
What is the one thing you wish your dad knew that you thought about him?
Even though I’m getting married soon, he can always count on this little girl to take care of him.
Do you have any wishes you have for your dad?
I wish that he can always be healthy and we can travel to different places together.
Skye* – Adoptive Mom (who has passed)
What are some hardships you think your mom went through as a mother?
I think my mom went through a lot of hardships back when she was alive, but looking back now I’m sure she did a pretty good job handling all the stress. Raising 3 kids who were already in their teens/preteens, going through multiple chemotherapy sessions, and then adopting me at only a couple of months old most likely added to the stress of motherhood.
What’s your favorite thing about your mom?
My favorite thing about my mom was her resiliency and her determination to be a good mom, working hard to give us what we needed and wanted.
What’s your favorite memory with your mom?
My favorite memory with my mom would be our divisoria/Market Market trips, window shopping, and having small snack breaks just to get away from the stress at home/school and to distract her from her cancer pains.
What’s one thing your mom has done for you that she thinks is a small thing, but means the world to you?
I feel very grateful and blessed she adopted me. If she didn’t I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to study in CSA and CSB, wouldn’t have caring and understanding siblings, and I wouldn’t be in this loving home that I am in right now.
What is the one thing you wish your mom knew that you thought about her?
I always thought she was very hard on me and was never really affectionate so we didn’t have that strong bond most people had and I wish she and I had that back when she was still here.
Do you have any wishes you have for your mom?
I just hope she’s doing alright wherever she is. I know she’s always guiding and watching me up to now.
Reena – Working Mom
Elliot* – Adoptive Mom
What are some hardships you think your mom went through as a mother?
I think just the fact that she had to live with the thought that she might not be able to have any kids was one of her greater hardships before they got me and that she had to raise someone as “kulit” as me.
What’s your favorite thing about your mom?
Her grit and strength. She’s honestly one of the strongest people I know and the person I am most afraid of. I don’t really understand how she could balance being firm and strict yet gentle all at the same time but she did it perfectly while raising me and my siblings
What’s your favorite memory with your mom?
I remember as a kid when she was teaching me how to ride the jeep, she wouldn’t say where we should stop unless I tell the driver myself. So nagkaroon ng times lumalagpas nalang kami bigla since I was shy growing up pero whenever I did call the driver, she’d buy me Jollibee as a reward haha.
What’s one thing your mom has done for you that she thinks is a small thing, but means the world to you?
I think it’s the fact that she scolds just like how she scolds my siblings. I never felt as if I had special treatment nor was I ever treated unfairly so I always felt I belonged.
What is the one thing you wish your mom knew that you thought about her?
I wholeheartedly believe she’s the best and the most beautiful person on earth. I wish I could grow up to be as strong and as selfless as her.
Do you have any wishes you have for you mom (that you don’t mind being in an article)?
Longer life, more money (haha), and that all of her dreams come true after all the work she’s done helping us fulfill ours.
Have you said “Thank you, mom. I love you.” today? If not, you really should. Even if your family isn’t the affectionate type, I’m sure she’d love to hear those words. So what are you waiting for? Get off your phone or computer and spend some time with your mom today and greet her Happy Mother’s Day for us!
