Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

WHENEVER MOTHER’S DAY comes along, I get very sentimental just remembering nanay. I lost her over five years ago. I still feel the void in my heart of not having her around anymore.

It’s true--life as you knew it is never the same once your mother is gone. That’s how I feel, especially during Mother’s Day.

I make it a point to honor her memory by reflecting on the things that she has taught me.

They say you eventually become your parents over time. I can sense some of my nanay in me especially when I am with my pamangkins and apos.

When they seek my advice, I find myself talking to them the way my mother talked to me when I was their age.

I’m gratified to know I have retained the lessons that she tried so hard to instill in me.

Nanay was fond of reciting quotations or mga kasabihan. Of course at that time, I really didn’t fully understand what she really meant.

What I remember most were her wisdom about gratitude and work ethic.

One of nanay’s favorites was: Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan. In English this translates to: He who does not look back at where he came from will not reach his destination.

She often emphasized the need for us to remain humble and never forget the people who helped us along the way. When I opened my very first salon, she was there to remind me that I should always offer thanks to those who made my dream possible, especially my sisters who paid for my tuition so I can study styling and design.

Nanay also challenged me to be more mindful and conscientious about work and money. She would always say to me: Para kang kalabasa, gapang ng gapang naiiwan naman ang bunga. Losely translated, I think she meant that I often worked myself to the ground but I never saw the fruits of my labor.