Archive | April, 2019

Remembering Mother on Mother’s Day

19 Apr

A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.

What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.

Your Head

As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling.  You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.

Your Eyes

As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.

Your Nose

As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.

Your Ears

As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.

Your Mouth

As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.

Your Shoulder

As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.

Your Breast

As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.

Your Heart

As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.

Your Arms

As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months.  You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.

Your Hands

As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along  the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.

Your Waist

As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.

Your Hips

As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.

Your Legs

As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.

Your Feet

As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.

Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day  and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?

Maantor nin Canta ni Nanay Openg

19 Apr

Teofila Mas Meron

Isipin mabuti bago maniwala

Sa himig at daing ng mga binata

Pag naniwala ka sa tamis ng sumpa

Kakain ng hapis, iinom ng luha

Ison mo isipon aro tan labi ko

Maski kayka mangan dapat mangan ako

Anya may mangyari konan biay mo

Mati ka ot bungat

The Last Few Words and Cries

13 Apr

“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”

(Teofila Mas Meron)

In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.

10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami.  Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”

(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”

At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.

9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Nanay, Ate, hintayin ninyo ako. Nanay, Ate, hintayin ninyo ako.” “Takipan! Takipan!”

(English) “Mother, Sister, wait for me. Mother, Sister, wait for me.” “Cover up!, Cover up!”

My mother was the youngest and favorite child in their family. She loved her mother and sister so much. My mother saw brilliant brightness.

8. My mother said with eyes closed, “Alalayan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”

(English) “Help me.”

My mother had ready helping hands to anybody who needs help.

7. Suddenly, my mother was crying loudly while pointing her diaphragm, “Masakit eti! masakit eti!” (Zambal)

(Tagalog)”Masakit dito! masakit dito!”

(English) “Painful here! Painful here!”

My mother never complained even in rough times of her life.

6. My mother requested with eyes closed, “Dasalan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Dasalan ninyo ako.”

(English) “Pray for me.”

My mother always pray for everyone’s wellness.

5. While inside the ambulance rushing into the hospital, my mother shouted, “Cacoyna labay! Cacoyna labay! Tama na! Tama na! (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Ayaw ko na!, Ayaw ko na! Tama na! Tama na!

(English) “I don’t like it! I don’t like it! Stop! Stop!

My mother never stops for being a good mother and grandmother to us.

4. While in the hospital bed, my mother said again with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami.  Pano na cami a pinalsa mo” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami.  Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”

(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”

My mother was a strong believer of God. She had strong faith at all times.

3. Still on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Tambayan moyo co. Tambalan moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako. Gamutin ninyo ako.”

(English) “Help me. Heal me.”

My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.

2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”

(English) “Help me.”

My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.

1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)

(Tagalog) “Oo.”

(English) “Yes.”

My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow.  She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.

My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.

Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.