Here are the interesting journeys of two women to motherhood.

“When I was growing up, motherhood seemed so easy, at least that was how my mother made it look. I never took note of all the hardships, late and sleepless nights she went through, raising my siblings and me,” recalls 35-year-old mom and dermatologist Anna Palabyab-Rufino.

“It really is true what they say, you’ll never understand what it is to be a mother until you become one.”

Aside from dermatology, Anna has a psychology degree from Ateneo de Manila University.

She’s gaining a following in her profession, but on top of this is another dream come true—motherhood.

“Motherhood was something I’ve always looked forward to.”

It is never without challenges. “I would say that I am strict, but also very loving and affectionate (towards her two sons, Stefano and Francesco). I have taken on the role of the disciplinarian in the family, so I have established authority. I also shower them with love and affection, which is why our relationship is not based on fear but love and respect.”

How does she bond with her kids? Anna takes her sons out, one at a time. She also loves traveling with them. “One day, I’d like our family to take up a sport together, maybe tennis.”

ON SUNSHINE: British India long cotton dress with leopard print, and Clarks Ancient star, synthetic lining, black suede heels and kesin rubber sole for shoes. On Santiago: OshKosh B’ Gosh yellow polo shirt and maong pants paired with Clarks kid’s rubber struck- Strobel textile shoes. PHOTOGRAPH BY PAM STA.CRUZ

Anna the mom has defined style preferences. Her go-to brand is Mexx—“It has styles that are timeless with a touch of trendiness, but still remains very comfortable.”

Here, she’s in coral top and blocked cola skirt from Mexx paired with classic modern heels in wine red embellished with buckles, Al Fresco Café by Clarks shoes.

She’s also in printed jersey dress, worn as shirt, with black printed pants from Mexx matched with Azizi Iris court shoes in black by Clarks.

For more dressy affairs, Anna prefers separates—black and white knitted blazer, floral printed cotton shirt and cream slim-fit pants from Mexx paired with teal and black ankle-strap sandals by Clarks ladies shoes.

The mother also loves Oshkosh B’ Gosh and Clarks kids for her boys.

Another accomplished mom is Sunshine Pengson. She is best known for The Goose Station, a restaurant she set up with her husband Rob. She took a short hiatus after giving birth to Santiago.

The chef is back, with her Gourmandise Patisserie and Shine Bakery and Café.

Sunshine is expecting her second child.

“It was a dream come true for me in every sense,” she says of motherhood.

“I was constantly worried about the health and safety of my baby… But the worries just fade away when you see your baby for the first time. Then the fears all come rushing back because you just want to protect this little angel from the whole world.

“Having a child has brought me the greatest joy. [But] it is also the biggest challenge. You are completely responsible for molding this little person and you try to do your best and leave the rest up to God.

SUNSHINE PENGSON Son: Santiago.On Sunshine: long sleeved Vneck linen blouse with embroidery around the neckline and a-line skirt with floral embroidery from British India. For shoes, Clarks Popple Salsa wedge, casual sandal wine leather. On Santiago: printed tee and maong pants with Clarks kid’s rubber struck- Strobel textile shoes. PHOTOGRAPH BY PAM STA.CRUZ

“I try to balance fun and discipline. As Santiago is at the age where he is testing his boundaries, I don’t want him to grow up feeling afraid of me but to know that we love and support him always.”

Sunshine enjoys reading books, singing songs and playing with her son. “I’d love to spend time with him in the kitchen, as that’s one of the fondest memories I have growing up with my mom. I’d also love to travel the world with him… to experience that joy and wonderment of exploring new places with him.

“There’s always that feeling of guilt when you have to leave your child (to go to work) but you try to reason that you’re doing your best to provide for his future.”

This mother’s style is one of ease and clean tailoring. “I like British India for its relaxed feel!”

She opts for British India’s long-sleeved V-neck linen blouse with embroidered details around the neckline and an A-line skirt with floral embroidery, and leopard-printed long-sleeved cotton dress.

She goes for Clark’s shoes, Popple Salsa’s wine-red wedge sandals and Ancient Star, black suede heels with kesin rubber sole.

On Mothers Day at Cinderella, Mexx, British India and Osh Koish B’Gosh have up to 50 percent off on selected items, and Clarks has 50 percent off plus a toiletry bag for every P5,000 purchase.

Mexx is at Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Aura Premier, Glorietta 3 and Alabang Town Center.

British India is at Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Cinderella V-Mall, SM Aura Premier, Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center and Ayala Center Cebu.

Clarks is at Glorietta, Virra mall, Alabang Town Center, Mall of Asia, Midtown, The Block, Lucky China Town, SM Cebu, Trinoma, Centrio, SM Lanang, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mega Mall B and Ayala Center Cebu.

OshKosh B’ Gosh is at Ayala Cebu, Ayala Centrio, Ayala Market! Market!, Ayala Marquee Mall, Trinoma, Filinvest, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Cebu, SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, SM Fairview, SM Lanang, SM Lipa, SM Lucena, SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina, SM Molino, SM Muntinlupa, SM Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM South Mall, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Tarlac, SM Taytay, SM the Block, SM Valenzuela and Subic Harbor Point.