HAPPY MOTHER’S Day to all the tremendously outstanding mothers out there!

 

With all the modern-day challenges of rearing children, helping them navigate the labyrinth of life, and doing that with no “growing up” manuals available, we mothers truly deserve this special day.

 

Even if we may feel underappreciated or exhausted at times, we never fail to continuously shower our kids with love and affection. Moms conquer the generational divide that dads sometimes don’t get.

 

Having almost three decades of motherhood under my fancy hats, I feel blessed and truly appreciate every minute with my kids as timeless treasures. The percentage of mothers working full-time is now higher than during my own mom’s generation.

 

Modern moms toil so hard to raise children to be self-confident, honorable and ethical. We go that extra mile to provide emotional, psychological and financial support through the years before our kids are off to have their own families.

 

We may feel guilty that we have not properly balanced work, homemaking, parenting and marriage. But being a “super mom” is a God-given talent that comes with His support, plus the support of husbands, grandparents and friends.

 

Parenting styles vary so it’s difficult to compare, but somehow, I always feel my own mother did a better job at raising us than how I am doing raising my kids. Mom just had a great grip on balancing work and family.

 

Perhaps life was simpler then. Different from our moms, we have so many communication lines to deal with—e-mail, text and apps. Add in tween lingo and it can all be overwhelming. I thought it was enough to be “friends” on Facebook. Apparently, the kids have moved to Snapchat.

 

Also, a myriad of online games now need to be navigated to make sure they are indeed age-appropriate for kids. I have another hat to add to my many hats—techno-cop!

 

Magazine cover

 

For the first time, I am experiencing the interesting times of having a teenage daughter. My two elder ones are boys and it seems we went through teenage years uneventfully.

 

Girls are different, especially when they get into their mood swings. My shopping bribery does not seem to be as effective and every day seems to be a communication challenge. Although my 15-year-old Annika has such a strong character, I discovered that she is sweet and affectionate. It took the Lifestyle Asia magazine cover feature for me to realize that.

 

For its May issue, Lifestyle Asia celebrates the month of mothers. Annika and I were separately interviewed by editor Anna Sobrepeña, so I only got to read the feature when the magazine hit the stands. It’s quite touching to read how your daughter expresses her true feelings of love and gratitude amid all the daily issues.

 

Our gorgeous photos were done early this year by young, talented photographer Arlu Gomez (www.arlu.com). Little eight-year-old Athena also gamely posed for solo photos, while Annika and I had some bonding shots.

 

Cristina Gomez, LA social editor and Arlu’s sister, made sure that the pictorial went well and everything was in order. Salon Privat head stylist Danny Katalbas made all of us girls look our prettiest.

 

Apart from our family, Lifestyle Asia also featured daughters paying tribute to their mothers: Lia Bernardo on Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo; Margie Moran-Floirendo and Lulette Moran-Monbiot on Charo Moran; Joanna Ongpin-Duarte and Lisa Ongpin-Periquet on Maribel Ongpin; Mons Romulo, Berna Romulo-Puyat and Lupe Romulo on Lovely Romulo; and Victoria Tambunting-Alfonso and Mia Tambunting-Padilla on Marge Ansaldo-Tambunting.

 

The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, is also featured, making this month the Royal Issue. Wife to former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, her majesty chairs the Bhutan Youth Development fund that supports the education of primary and secondary students in the mountain kingdom between China and India.

 

She is also Lifestyle Asia’s guest of honor at the magazine’s 26th anniversary, Royal Gala, happening later this month.

 

Tea oasis

 

All mothers should renourish their bodies and spirits, to replenish the positive love energy that they infuse into their families. To celebrate the opening of the newest TWG Tea branch in Rockwell, Philippine Tatler editor Anton San Diego recently hosted some mothers for high tea at the chic mall.

 

Kaye Tiñga, my co-chair for the Red Charity Gala, was there with lovely sisters Small Laude and Alice Eduardo. We all enjoyed the scones and jam with TWG special teas. Kaye and I are all excited to start preparations for the next Red Charity Gala featuring Dubai-based Filipino designer Ezra Santos.

 

Longtime friends and mothers Pops Fernandez, Mons Romulo, Marianne Po and Kit Zobel shared mommy tips and family vacation stories. In between shopping at the Power Plant Mall, the ladies relaxed and sipped fancy teas.

 

Other guests of Anton included Vicky Zubiri, Camille Samson and Karen Santos. These ladies ate the different salads and sandwiches also available at TWG.

 

An island-type design boutique, TWG Tea Boutique and Salon serves as a tea oasis for shoppers and the community. A mix of brass and glass evokes TWG tradition, one that honors Singapore’s contribution to tea culture, while offering an exquisite and modern tea-drinking experience.

 

No one is perfect, so mothers should go easy on themselves so they can enjoy all that life has to offer. And the best way to do that is to have a perfect cup of tea.

 

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