Mama

I find it quite ironic that Mama and I become closer when I move away, to the boarding house last year and to Manila earlier this year. I don't how it happened but somehow it became easier to talk to her about anything, from my relationship with Franco to the things I want in life. Even she opened up to me, talking about her problems and telling little anecdotes about work and such.

Mama is quite a revelation. Though I've known her all my life, I never appreciated her this much before. Here is a woman who went through a hard life with nary a complaint, patiently taking in every blow life deals and rising gracefully from each one. Though from a poor family, she managed to rise above that and make something of herself, even as she worked to help out her family.

Even as a child, she had to work for her school allowance, embroidering well into the night by the meager light of a kerosene lamp. But this did not deter her in any way, or distract her from her studies, as she always graduated with honors. A truly mean feat for someone so young.

She also passed the CPA licensure exam. I remember Papa Jun [my father's brother-in-law] telling me how much he admires her intellect, being a CPA himself, as well as her determination. He also mentioned that for the oath-taking ceremony, he and Mama Mencing [his wife] had to lend her money for a dress to wear. Inay Po [my maternal grandmother] also had no money to go to Manila and so Mama had to go to the ceremony by herself. I remember feeling really sorry for her then for spending such an important occasion all alone. All this I learned from Papa Jun since Mama never mentioned it.

Growing up as she did, she learned the value of hard work early on, which she carries up to now and applies to everything she does. She is one of the most industrious persons I have ever known. Also one of the most helpful. A lot of people could attest to this, especially her former students back when she was teaching college, although I'm probably the one who benefited the most. I swear I wouldn't be living this easy life if she did not do half the stuff she did and continues doing for me.

For my part, understanding her better, I'm now more yielding to her strict ways. Though far from being the perfect daughter I ought to be, I am nevertheless striving to make her life easier through my own little ways. It's the least I can do, for a more-than-deserving mother that she is. I love her.