As a child, I remember that I was not close to my mom. I was more of scared of her because of her being strict. I don’t even talk to her unless necessary. She's like the dragon in my nightmare. Kidding aside, maybe she was like that because she raised us on her own for 6 years (my dad was in the US during those times). Though, Lola Margie (God bless her soul), mom’s mother, was with us to help her take care of us. But my mom stood as our father and mother during those years.
Aside from being strict, I sometimes find her masungit, mataray, malangi. But her strictness made us have good grades in school, we were not even allowed to make absences (Well, until my dad came home. Hehe.); and to be well and properly behaved. She provided us everything we need. She gives us a small party during our birthdays and buys us the best clothes and gifts for Christmas. And she’s also loving and caring. I was sickly when I was little, and her loving arms will always soothe me.
As I was going through a crucial stage in my life called “Adolescence”, we started to get close. We began talking about anything, my crushes, clothes, schooling, my friends, music and politics, to name a few. Before I realize it, I’m becoming to be like her. I get to adopt her taste in music and fashion. Believe it or not, I enjoy listening to Folk Rock music! That’s because of her. I grew up listening to the songs of Beatles, Joey Ayala, Apo Hiking Society, Carpenters, Bob Marley, Queen and progressive songs. We both like ethnic fashion – trinkets, beads, woven articles. We also share the same clothes and shoes!
Mom and I also shared and discussed the same ideologies. And during a part of my young adulthood, I entered the world of activism, just like her. We attended rallies together, like a mother and daughter tandem. I think my first rally with her was during the Erap Resign Movement here in Angeles City and I was still shy to yell the chants. I remember when I was younger, she and her friends told me that I’m gonna be a “Gabriela” too just like them. And yeah, I did.
Now, that I’ve become a mom, I would want to be just like her, a strict but loving mom.
