MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Because of the “enhanced community quarantine” that the government imposed to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens have no other choice but to stay at home to celebrate Mother’s Day. But they said they found it to be a good thing.
“This is the time to reconnect and celebrate knowing that we’re healthy and capable of still doing things that really matter,” said Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Gazini Ganados.
Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao said her family will have “a simple celebration and attend mass online,” while Bb. Pilipinas-Globe Leren Mae Bautista plans to have her family prepare their favorite dishes and have a “boodle fight” to bond.
Bautista added: “I might also bake my special caramel bars, but I’ll form them into heart shapes to make them extra for my mom and sister-in-law.”
But Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Aya Abesamis still has not finalized any plans, as she is still figuring out how to navigate the quarantine.
“What I have in mind now is to try to be with them—that depends if I can go out and visit them. I’ll give my mom flowers, cook for her, or maybe deliver some homemade food made with love. Or I can just make a video call,” she shared.
Bb. Pilipinas Resham Saeed confessed having drag queens as celebration buddies.
“Unfortunately, my mom is on the other side of the world right now. And if I was there, we’d probably spend the day watching ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ and eating all day,” she shared.
To all the mothers, Ganados said: “We know the pain that you endured just to bring life in this world. We know the pride that you feel when you see us succeed. We know that you’ll do anything in your power to make sure that we live the life that we want. We know that you’ve been through difficult situations for us, and we appreciate all of them.”
She added: “For those who don’t find it easy to show their feelings, I will speak on their behalf. We know that we’ll never be able to repay the love and the sacrifices that you’ve bestowed upon us. We thank you for every single thing you do for us.”
Bautista, for her part, thanked all mother “for being the supermom for us. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!”
Saeed also expressed gratitude “to all the strong moms out there whose sacrifices withstand time and patience, whose efforts have the ability to shift future generations, and most of all, for teaching mankind what the purest form of love looks like.”
Tiglao said she wrote a poem to honor her mother. Part of it reads:
“That little Filipino-American girl
Who turned into a beautiful pearl
And now we proudly call our mother
Remember, that we love you always and forever.”
Abesamis said she wishes all moms “a fantastic Mother’s Day!”