“I was a super fan of the Spice Girls! My mom, sis, cousin and I were in the terrace of our house across a waiting shed. We sang and danced to the song ‘Spice Up Your Life.’ My mom was really feeling it that time. After our song number we got surprised that the people across saw us. They clapped and cheered, haha. We still laugh about that moment. Can’t wait to watch the Spice Girls with my mom and my sis next month.”

—Happy Andrada, daughter of Win Andrada

“When I was in grade school, my mom used to drive to my school everyday before noon to drop off my lunchbox at the gate. In that magical box, there was always freshly cooked food and little notes from her. I feel like it always made my other classmates a little bit jealous (and I loved it HAHA).”

—Anna Yulo, daughter of Rowie Yulo

“My favorite memory of my mom was the first time I visited her in Japan where she was living. I was 11 years old then.”

—Jasper Kenneth Arboladura, son of Catherine A. Terai

 

“I’ll always remember the time my mom and I went to Baguio when I was around 12 years old. It was just the two of us. On our way home, it was raining so hard that a huge boulder suddenly fell from the top of the mountain and blocked Kenon Road. The big rock fell around just three cars away from us! It was so huge that the tractors that came to help can’t even move it an inch. We were stuck there for four hours. What an adventure! Funny how my young mind was so fascinated with all this. But it did give me and my mom a chance to bond some more.”

—Paulo Rodriguez, son of Cynthia A. Rodriguez

“She bought me a pink shirt and printed on it are very ‘wise’ words, ‘If you think I am cute, you should see my mom.’”

—Catherine Albino, daughter of Vivian Albino

 

“Back when I was a little boy, my mom would always get mad at me for playing with her porcelain dolls. What’s funny is that she wasn’t mad that I was playing with dolls but because her dolls were fragile and easily breakable. My mom never forced me to be anything other than myself – she raised me by allowing me to be true to myself and to my family and for that I am forever grateful to her. I take pride when my mom would call me her ‘mini-me’ because she has learned to love and be proud of her beautiful transdaughter. Love you, mom!”

—Rica Salomon, daughter of Jing Salomon

 

“I’m a reader because of my mom! In the second grade, I was addicted to watching TV and my mom was very concerned. She asked the saleslady at our local bookstore for some recommendations and bought me these books: ‘Welcome to Junior High’ (Book 1 in the ‘Girl Talk’ series) by L. E. Blair and ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett. First line on the first page of ‘Welcome to Junior High’ and I was already hooked!”

—Tarie Sabido, Chair, Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), daughter of Bing Lozano (Photo credit: Johansen Photography)

 

“My mom was a supermom. Everybody called her ‘Mommy.’ She was a housewife who ran the family business (dorm + apartment rentals). She enrolled me in UP College of Music’s extension classes (every Saturday), where I learned music theory, piano, voice, composition, etc. We used to commute together to UP, then after the classes we would eat fishballs in front of Abelardo Hall. Then we would go to the pet shop and look at the little fishies. After that, we would go to Filbar’s at Katipunan and maybe buy some comics. These are the little things i miss about her. Aside from her cooking. I miss her home-style Ilocano cooking. I love her 3,000.”

—Jugs Jugueta, son of Gloria Dumlao Jugueta

“I had a working mom and an OFW dad growing up . But every Sunday my mom made sure we hear Mass in Bustillos. We always eat at Delicious, a small shake shop beside the church. I remember my mom ordering ube ice cream most of the time. And now, every time I’d eat ube ice cream I remember my mom and those beautiful Sundays.”

—Mimi Tecson, daughter of Virginia Tecson

 

“We were in Grace Park in Caloocan when she carried me because she wanted to keep me from getting wet. She carried me, my school bag and one more grocery. I thought she was super woman the way she was able to carry all that load before we rode the jeep.”

—Eds Garcia, daughter of Fe Garcia

“The time when my mom would take me to and fetch me from school everyday from our house to school without fail during my kindergarten years.”

—Colleen June Navarra, daughter of Espie Navarra

“My mom took us to Jollibee for Chickenjoy after pestering her. I think I was around 5 or 6 at the time. My sister and I were so happy. When I finished the meal, I said, ‘Ay, bitin!’ She only had enough money to buy my sister and I one meal each and none for her. And that’s how I will always remember her: a selfless woman.”

—Chie S. Roman, daughter of Divina Sales

 

“She taught me that it’s okay to eat cheese balls, even those that have already fallen on the floor. I also loved how we would dance off to Abba’s ‘Super Trouper’ and then she would lift me, throw me in the air and flip me upside-down.

—Din Villafuerte, daughter of Daisy Maganito-Villafuerte

 

“My fondest memory of her is me going to Manila to play in her office. I always looked forward to those commutes because that meant I got to spend more time with her.”

—Apple Abcede, daughter of Winnie Balagtas

 

” My favorite memories of my mom are our travels. She made it a point to always gather our family and include us in her travels. She also particularly loves dressing up in costumes depending on which country we’re at.”

—Pam Solilapsi-Guerrero, daughter of Sonia Solilapsi

“My mom would prepare everything for my birthday from the time I was one until I was 12 years old. From the grating of cheese in my spaghetti, caldereta and the presentation of my birthday, she would be the one to prepare it all. She would prepare my dress and fix my hair. I had happy and fabulous parties because of her.”

—Popsie Saturno, daughter of Baby Saturno

 

“When I was in grade school, I tried to cut my own bangs before recognition day. It ended horribly. My mum had to deal with trying to fix it so I look presentable. Every summer we would go to the salon and debate how short my hair would be. I still cringe at the boy’s cut she made me have in Grade 2.”

—Leidy Zara Myeth Loreto, daughter of Gertrudes Buluran-Loreto

“My favorite memory of my mom is when she would bake cookies but would only give them to me if I had high grades in school. That is why I made sure to keep all my test scores so that I can show her.”

—Miguel Vazquez, son of Grace Vazquez

 

“My mom was a working mom while I was growing up. But even if she was always so busy, she still made the time to prepare my baon for school. I felt so proud and happy that my baon was prepared by mom. I love you, Mamuy!”

—Anna Tiglao, daughter of Adela Tiglao