Editor’s note: As we all know what an amazing talent and gift Charice has, let us not be remiss to credit the one person who has taught and nurtured her, without whom we wouldn’t be enjoying her angelic voice today: her mother Raquel.

This coming Mother’s Day, let us show our appreciation for all mothers (and their mothers) around the world for all the hardships and sacrifices they endured for bringing us to the world.

Hello my friends, May 10 is fast approaching. This is the day we honor our Mom and I added grandmothers, too.

I don’t understand why we will leave out our grannies when they are always there for us. I remember when I was five years old, my Mom was attending her graduate school and I was left with grandma most of the time.

Now, I would like to honor all mothers and grandmothers in U.S. and all over the world. Every person on earth has a mom and a grandma. My first question, when was the last time you called your mom? Did you say, “I love you, Mom?” When was the last time you gave her a hug? When was the last time you emailed her or sent her a greeting card?

In honoring all mothers and grandmothers as well, my words won’t be enough; however, I will try my best to give them all the credits and accolades they so well-deserve in my own humble way.

These are women who had given so much to sacrifice their own needs for their children. The first moment they test positive for their pregnancy, the clock starts as to how women safeguard their young. They ensure that their baby get first rate pre-natal care, then on to carrying the baby for nine months. These sacrifices are monumental. Then, giving birth and then, taking care of the infant night and day. I could go on and on but little was done to give back to offset these mother’s love.

I have talked to several mothers prior to my writing this article. I am honoring my own mother and my grandma who had recently passed away. But I would like to mention that other mothers all equally deserve to be accorded the same respect and honor as my own.

I do share in their many sacrifices. One mom’s husband was deployed in Iraq, leaving her alone to take care of her three minor children ages, five, three, and ten-month-old infant. But one night, she was awakened by several knocks on the door. The military was there to inform her that her beloved husband was killed in Fallujah, Iraq.

One mother was taking care of five children. Due to the economic downturn, her husband took a job overseas. Now, she has to endure the loneliness of her absent husband and the great tasks of taking care of five minor children.

One mother was forced to take on a full time job to help bring in a second paycheck because her husband was laid off. She just gave birth to a baby boy. They have two other minor children. To save their home, car, and buy food, she got a job but her mind is always on her newborn. Too small to leave daily.

One mother and her two children were abandoned by a violent husband. Since, she became a single parent, she was forced to work sixteen hours a day to support her two growing kids.

The human drama is nonstop but through all these hardships and adversity, the mothers always comes out the strongest. Somehow by divine intervention, mothers are always winners. I am not saying that fathers are not needed but my argument is, by all accounts, the mothers seems to withstand all the sorrow, tragedy, and heartaches of being alone while the fathers are either gone, killed, overseas, or just ran away from their responsibilities.

My mom is one great mother.

She is sweet, kind, compassionate, and very loving. She is so giving but firm. I have never heard her raise her voice. When I did something wrong, I remember she will take me to a corner or a room and will explain to me what I did wrong, and that I should promise not to do it again. She always encourages me, and will always compliment me when I do a good “job.” I lost my beloved Dad when I was eleven years old.

So, my Mom did a good job of being the father figure and mother at the same time. She is a medical doctor.

My grandma took care of me when I was a little child. My mom was taking graduate studies, and the only person my mom would trust to watch me is my beloved Grandma. My grandma is a very religious woman (Catholic).

I remember when I was just three years old she would take me to church with her. She would ask me to sit by her side, and to keep quiet because we are in the house of God. Then, we would go to the market and buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other things she needed. She asked me to help her choose the excellent apples, oranges, and grapes. As little as I am during those wonderful times, I would love to carry the basket for my grandma.

I learned how to eat vegetables because of grandma. She would eat broccoli, tomatoes, and other greens, and I would follow suit. I also learned how to cook because I would stand on a chair watching my grandma cook some of her favorite dishes like beef stew, giant shrimp linguine with white clam sauce, and other sumptuous, delicious recipes. Yes, I learned a lot from Grandma. My obsession with cleaning my bathroom and kitchen is something I learned and inherited from my grandma. She showed me how to keep our kitchen and bathroom sparkling clean at all times. God bless my grandma. She also showed me how to plant flowering plants like roses, and also how to plant herbs, and spices like onions, rosemary, thyme, ginger, and string beans. Too bad, I do not have a backyard now. I would like to plant some herbs, like basil, parsley, and green onions.

Before I close, there is one mother whom I would like to honor. I admired this woman ever since I read her story and the role she played in raising her young son and daughter.

Her name is Raquel. She was a victim of an abusive husband. With the last ounce of her strength, she made the right decision to leave her violent husband in the heat of a horrible fight. Now, through her unconditional love and support, her sixteen-year-old daughter named Charice is a fast-rising singing sensation worldwide. She is destined to be the biggest act next year. I do believe in her. I know this prediction will come to pass.

It is seldom that we give credit to the person behind the famous star. Raquel is a true STAR. She stands away from the limelight. She seldom gives interviews but what struck me is her humble way. She never proudly steals any scenes from her daughter. She sits quietly, and watches her daughter performs in every venue that they a have a gig. But somehow, it is widely known, that she is the one who coaches her daughter to sing those powerful ballads that has brought her fame in every corner of the globe. When I saw her in Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort, Charice told us, that is my mom. I saw Raquel standing away from the crowd of fans around Charice. She was just watching from a distance like a loving Mom ought to be.

One time, I saw a news brief on YouTube, where the Newsman asked Raquel what she got in her big bag before heading to their flight in an airport. She responded calmly, “Oh, these are Charice favorite sardines and corned beef. When we are in America, she would like to eat her favorite Filipino food.” Now that is a GREAT mother, always thinking ahead what her daughter would like to eat.

On May 10, please give your mom a big hug or give her a call or send her an email telling her that she is the greatest. But do not end it on May 10. Honoring our mom should be done daily all throughout the year.

Pretty soon, we will also be moms. I hope I could be like my mom and my grandma.

To all moms and grandmothers, Happy Day! Mom, I would love to cook your favorite dish, Bouillabaisse.

by LovelySoul

Posted by cha_rade

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