Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. But in our eyes and hearts, we consider our mother as the most beautiful woman in the world. This mother’s day, Asian Journal Northern California pays tribute to a few of the (beauty queen) mothers in the Filipino-American community who are not only crowned for their beauties, but have shown their inner glow through their hearts by being loving mothers and wives, as well as role models.
Zheenie Apelin Cayabyab
Mrs. Vigan City-USA, Mrs. Philippines, Mrs. UN-Universe, Queen of Queens, Mrs. Popularity and four-time Mother of the Year
Mrs. Cayabyab, although has received many awards in pageants in the Fil-Am community, is also a hardworking person, wife and mother. At present, she is working as an Administrative Assistant at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF for almost 29 years. Married to Jessie M. Cayabyab, she has two wonderful children, Joel “Reymar” and Zheena “Laurie.”
Aside from taking her time for hobbies like cooking, watching TV, jogging and reading, her passion is helping the people in her hometown, Vigan City at the Tamag Hospital. One of their projects is to build a conference house and resting place for the people going to the hospital.
Lydia Javier Humphrey
Mrs. RP-Photogenic - Philippine Carnival of Beauties 2009
Mrs. Javier hails from Pulilan, Bulacan and immigrated here in San Francisco in 1990. A certified Nursing Aid of Health Professional Inc. in Daly City, she is a loving mother to Liberty H. Cueto and a grandmother to 10-year old Mayle.
In her free time, Mrs. Humphrey loves to cook, swim and dance.
Fely Gomez Casco
Mrs. Liwliwa 2010, Mrs. USA International 2009, Best in Long Gown, Most Outstanding Mother of the Year 2005, Mrs. Valentine USA 2010
Mrs Casco is blessed with three beautiful daughters—Mary Sheila C. Martinez, a registered nurse, Heidi C. Salgado, an LVN at NCP College of Nursing and Meena Casco, a Certified Nurse.
A graduate of Business Administration from the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), Mrs. Casco arrived in San Francisco in 1994 and involved herself in the healthcare industry.
Susan Navarro Pacifico
Mrs. Philippines Earth 2009
Mrs. Pacifico has been married for 43 years to her loving husband, Ernesto and they live in San Jose. Their union has been blessed with two children, Christine Pacifico-Paul and Michael.
She lived in Naples, Italy from 1957 to 1962 and took courses in fashion and design at the Universidad de Napoli. After returning to the Philippines, she met and married her husband and moved to the United States in 1970.
The Pacificos put up the first money exchange center in San Jose, California, the Pan Asian Dollar Exchange, helping their “kababayans” send their money back to the Philippines. Their family business expanded into a travel agency, gift shop and a funding agency for the homeless.
Other than grandchildren, her hobbies are singing, ballroom dancing, interior designing, volunteer work and arts and crafts. She has also organized fashion shows and fundraising projects. One of her biggest projects is the Susan P. Foundation, by encouraging people here in the US to share their blessings to others in need in the Philippines, particularly in her hometown Baguio.
Jane Tan Kellner
Mrs. RP-USA 2008
Born in Catbalogan, Samar and raised in Manila, Mrs. Kellner is a public servant for the State of California. A Marketing and Business Management graduate of Far Eastern University in Manila, she is a well-traveled individual.
Known for being a humanitarian and her mission work, she is also a good friend, a sister and loving mother to her children, Ryan, Elvin and Jennyrose. Practically raising her children by herself in the US, she was able to inculcate in them her charitable character.
One of Mrs. Kellner’s dreams is establish her own foundation, the Jane Kellner Foundation and put up a home for the aged and abandoned children. Known for her involvement with her Church, Jesus Christ and for the Voice of Victory, she has immersed herself in social work and charitable causes. Among these are sponsoring Bantay Bata Foundation’s Fun Day for Children, sponsoring a sportsfest for grade school students in her alma mater, Philippine Chinese Jin Nan Institute, supporting Evangelical services, gift giving, blood glucose and blood pressure testing, etc.
In her spare time, she continues to do work on various outreach programs, evangelical mission work, Bible studies, planning vacations for her family and walking the dogs. Her advice to her children is, “Always pray to God, attend church services, always thank God and Jesus Christ our Savior, for God is good all the time.”
Zenaida L. Sarmiento
Mrs. RP-World 1993, Mother of the Year 1994
A successful businesswoman, loving mother, wife and grandmother, Mrs. Sarmiento immigrated to the United States in 1970. A graduate of Food and Nutrition from the Centro Escolar University, she was the owner and administrator of Holbrook Homes from 1980 to 1987.
Married to Engr. Manny Sarmiento for 47 years, they are blessed with children, Marina Sarmiento-Feehan, Marlo Sarmiento, Meriko Sarmiento and Michael Sarmiento. All of their children have graduated from their respective universities with high honors and are successful in their respective fields.
In her free time, Mrs. Sarmiento loves to go ballroom dancing, walking, reading and watching American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.
Marilou Abdon Dario
Mrs. Dagupenos 2006, Miss Independence, 1995, Ms. Sto. Nino de Cebu 2000
A Registered Nurse at the Laguna Honda Hospital, Mrs. Dario is also a proud mother of two – son Paul Jerome who has a degree in Network & Telecommunications from Devry University and daughter Janice, also a registered nurse now married to Erwin Ysip. She is also a loving grandmother to Kiana and Vanessa.
Her passion for mission work extends to giving educational scholarships to indigent families in San Felipe, Zambales.
Christine Acha
Mrs. RP-World 2007
Married for 16 years, Mrs. Acha now works as a full-time mother to her three kids – Caitlyn (10), Camille (6) and Camryn (9 months). Although she describes being a mother as the most demanding and challenging job ever, she believes that it completely changes every aspect of her life.
“I try not to take things granted and value the wonderful experience of becoming a mother,” she said and added, “I learned this from becoming a mother and seeing how my daughters has grown. This taught me the importance of appreciating everything I have been blessed with.”
Nellie delos Reyes Cojuangco vda de Tuazon
Queen of Queens USA 1990
A widow and single parent, Mrs. Cojuangco is a loving mother to her sons, Roberto and Renato. A Business Management graduate of La Consolacion College, she has been active in various community organizations here in the Bay Area. These include being the former president of the Pilipino Community in Oakland, Auditor of the Pilipino of Women’s Club,-CA, founder of recreation for seniors and junior citizens, as well as the former assistant auditor of the Bay Area USO. She also has been servicing food for the homeless in Oakland.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California May 6-12, 2011 SomethingFilipino pg.2)
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