THERE is one special holiday that is always celebrated in May. It celebrates and honors the unselfishness and the wonderful life of someone who is greater than any superhero.
Inay, nanay, mama or mommy—these are but a few of the appellations we call our mothers. Whatever we decide to call them, it points to the woman who has always been there for us.
They are our go-to person when we have problems in school, at work and in our personal life. She was there when we took our first steps as a child and when we walked up the stage for our diploma. She is our constant supporter and our very own cheerleader.
One greeting-card company described a mother’s role in the family as similar to that of a firm’s director of operations. The job heavily requires a person to have mobility, as well as excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills, and fortunately, our mothers have these abilities. What is more surprising is that mothers also possess knowledge and skills far greater than what they have acquired in schools. They are capable of doing multiple things at once.
All mothers, and even mother figures, have the most important and toughest job in the world. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without getting anything in return. More often than not, they don’t take breaks and are even willing to give up even their own lives for the sake of their families. Without our moms, we wouldn’t be who we are today. They are the women behind our every success. As the Celine Dion song goes, “I’m everything I am because you loved me.”
In the Philippines all mothers are acknowledged as the ilaw ng tahanan, or literally translated the “light of the home.” This Filipino idiom describes mothers as the light that brings warmth and comfort to their families by caring for them in the best way possible. According to an article, this maternal sacrifice is highlighted in another popular Filipino saying: “Ang ina, isusubo na nga lang, ibibigay pa sa anak,” loosely translated as: “A mother will even be willing to give her child food she is about to put in her mouth.”
Unselfishness is the natural state of motherhood. When one becomes a mother, she is no longer the center of her own universe. She relinquishes that position to her children.
One interesting fact is that scientists believe these traits are not just because of their power of love. Scientists believe a mother’s “vigilant protectiveness,” as Japanese neuroscientist Madoka Noriuchi calls it, may be rooted in brainpower, too. Researchers in Tokyo used magnetic-resonance imaging to show that particular areas of mothers’ brains lit up when their children were in distress. This means, they said, that a highly elaborate neural chain reaction orchestrates certain responses to cries.
However, mothers are not perfect. Each of them have their own flaws and imperfections. They are not exempted from frailties. Yet, they still choose to remain strong and undivided.
Yes, there will be times we would argue with them because we want to go with our own decisions but mothers, always wanting the best for us, just want to protect us—it’s in their nature and they have been doing it ever since she realized we were in their womb until we have reached adulthood—and, eventually, will support our decisions when they see they will benefit us. Despite misunderstandings, “the heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” The greatness of a mother remains evident through the unconditional love she showers her children, regardless of the circumstances.
On the bright side, funny as it may sound, Filipino mothers are well- remembered with the typical phrases or expressions we hear from them while growing up. As Filipinos are witty and creative, they can make those expressions sound amusing. Here are some examples of their funny, but wise, expressions they have probably uttered to their children once:
• “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako.”
• “Mata kasi ang gamitin sa paghahanap, hindi bibig.”
• “Kung ahas ’yan, tinuklaw ka na.”
• “Siguro kung hindi nakakabit ang ulo mo sa katawan mo, mawawala mo rin.”
• “Lalabas ka na ganyan ang suot mo?”
On this special day, we celebrate Mother’s Day and dedicate this to a woman who is incomparable and beyond ordinary. This celebration is an intimate occasion for Filipinos, as most families come together and bond for a fun weekend. It is a time when the families spend a day pampering and showering mothers with gifts and kisses, as a sign of gratitude for all that they have done for the family.
Mother’s Day celebrations can be traced back to the time of the early Greeks and Romans, when they would have annual spring festivals dedicated to maternal goddesses. Early Christians also celebrated a festival in honor of the Virgin Mary. The idea of an official celebration for all mothers, however, came from the US, and was suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. She wrote a Mother’s Day proclamation, urging mothers to rise against war. Anna Jarvis, however, is the one recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day. Because of her efforts, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
With mothers so highly valued in Filipino culture, it is no surprise that Mother’s Day, though a Western holiday, is widely celebrated in the Philippines. In fact, because Filipinos usually come from close-knit families, they celebrate Mother’s Day not only with their own mothers, but also with grandmothers, aunts, cousins and other women in the family.
Children often make cards for their mothers, with some even bringing moms breakfast in bed. Meanwhile, husbands give their wives a present they have been longing for, or a trip to the spa for a day of relaxation. Celebrations for this day usually consist of attending church in the morning with the family, then treating moms to lunch at their favorite restaurant. The rest of the day is usually spent with the family in the malls or wherever the mothers want to go. Though the celebration doesn’t always have to be fancy, a simple note or a home, cooked meal can already do wonders.
Whether this special day ends, let us still try to make every day of their lives exceptional. Even in normal days, let’s always show them our love and appreciation for all the things they have done.