Dragon's Print

Mother’s Day founder, Anna Jarvis, worked hard to give moms all around the world a day to celebrate themselves. But, what does it take for one to be a good mother in an ever changing world? It is a pertinent question whose answer cannot be conveyed within a few words. A mother’s unconditional love is the foundation of a family, which is why we dedicate a day to celebrate their motherhood. 

Here, we will be answering this question by gathering insights from our CIS community on what it means to be a mother and how these moms are seen in the eyes of their children.

Growing up, what did you want to do for a living before you had a child?

• Ms. Vangie: Growing up, I wanted to become an architect or an interior designer and have this as a means for a living. However, the school that accepted me as a scholar did not offer these courses, so I decided to take up psychology which was my second option as I also love working with people.
• Ms. Diapana: I wanted to travel around the world and work in different places. I wanted to explore different places, not just work 8 hours a day (office to house).
• Ms. Christine: I have always wanted to become a teacher.  Although I completed a degree in Chemical Engineering, my desire to teach prevailed and so I took further studies related to education.

How have your notions of what it means to be a mother changed over your lifetime?

• Ms. Vangie: Through the examples I witnessed from my own mother, I always believed that the essence of being a “woman” is motherhood; it is such a huge blessing, role, and privilege assigned specifically to women to bring life into this world. However, the notion of “motherhood” has been changed over time because being a mother does not mean to bear a child of your own; you still become a mother to all, could be a mother to your nieces, nephews, or other people not related to you. As such, now I believe that a woman with substance has the motherhood instinct and that is—to care, to serve, to love and, above all, to preserve life. 
• Ms. Christine: I know that motherhood is a commitment.  I have witnessed this in the way my mother cared for us.  Being a mother is very fulfilling knowing that you are given the privilege to nurture another human being.  
• Ms. Laplana: What has just happened is that as I grew into the role (I was a mother at an early age), and developed myself more and as my children grew, the notions that I had evolved, broadened and I guess you could say more were added.

When did you know you were ready to have kids?

• Ms. Diapana: I knew I was ready to have kids when I knew I would be having my first born. It was a great turning point of my life. 
• Ms. Christine: I knew that I was ready to have kids when I became more responsible and selfless. 

What advice would you give to your younger self when you first started out as a mom?

• Ms. Vangie: When I first started out as a mom, I always cherished every moment of it.  Being a first-timer mom back then, I had no idea how it would be, as raising a child came with challenges. So my advice to my younger self is: despite all challenges that come along, as a mother, still cherish every moment of it, because time will come that your children will not be a child anymore.
• Ms. Laplana: Don’t lose your temper easily. Hahaha… and maybe don’t be very strict. 

What is your best memory with your child(ren)?

• Ms. Diapana: As a working mother, my focus is really to make a living for my children—for their schooling, food and shelter. As a mother, I only want the best for all of them. Juggling work [and being] a mother, one best memory I have with my children is that they always make me proud of their achievements in school. Going up the stage during recognition and graduation to receive awards makes me so proud as a mother. Lately, now that most of them are done with their school and are working, the other best memory I have was when we first traveled all together in the middle of last year. It was really something I cannot forget. 
• Ms. Laplana: When they were babies, my best memory was when they would be sleeping peacefully. When they started to walk, it was when they would run and play around in our place in Leyte. Now that they are bigger, my best memory is when I see them being responsible, confident people and making a contribution in their own ways. I also remember fondly our yearly trips to different places in the Philippines.

What is your favorite meal from your mother?

• Elijah: My favorite meal from my mother is toast with chocolate. 
• Alya: My mom cooking is a “once in a blue moon” type of occasion, so there’s not much “meals” to choose from haha. But if I were to choose one, it would be this risotto she cooked some time ago.

What is something your mother always says to you that makes you happy?

• Isabel: When she says “I’m proud of you,” which is nice. Char.
• Sofia: Whenever she talks about something she did or something that happened to her that made her happy.

What makes you proud of your mother?

• Isabel: She’s very patient and hardworking. I see a strong and dedicated woman whenever I see my mom which is what I aspire to be. She’s the type of person who would do anything for her family, especially her children, so I’m proud to have that kind of mom.
• Elijah: What makes me proud is that she cares heavily for me and my family and will do anything to care for us. 
• Alya: There are many things that make me proud of my mother. She is hard working, driven, dedicated, and always shows effort in the things she does. She’s the type of person that doesn’t give up easily and goes after something once she sets it as her goal. 

What is your wish for your mother?

• Elijah: I wish that my mother will be well and that she, and the rest of my family, will make it through this current crisis without contracting the virus, and, if we do, I hope my mother and my family will recover quickly.
• Sofia: My wish is for her to be happy all the time. 

If your mother becomes famous, what will it be for?

• Isabel: She’d probably become a saint hahaha. She’s too nice to everyone.
• Sofia: Human equality advocate.
• Alya: She would become famous for something in the Educational or Psychological field since she’s been teaching for nearly 20 years.

As revealed, every mother is wonderful in their own unique ways, may it be through their simple acts of love or through the sacrifices that they make. The way Jarvis put it, Mother’s Day is a day to honor “the best mother who ever lived, yours.”

Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is definitely the best of them all. 

We’d like to thank all of the teachers and students for giving us their time for this interview. Stay safe everyone!

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Article by Dana T. (Grade 11) and Andrea C. (Grade 12); Feature image by Karen Y. (Grade 9)

The views expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and should not be taken to represent the views of Dragon’s Print and Cebu International School.