mama

My mama is no ordinary mama.

I grew up with a mother who was both a mama and papa to me and my sisters. I'm one of those kids who didn't exactly experience a typical family life. As of press time, I'm very happy how things have turned out between us. If I could choose my parents again, I'd still choose my mama and papa in a heartbeat. 

My mama is the hardest working woman I know. Back then I thought of her like the commander-in-chief of the army, the first one to rise in the morning and the last one to leave work. She always had things to do, and I know she would never be still for a day. She has the discipline of an ant and the tenacity of my ideal woman.

My mama is the best cook I know too, just a tad more superior than my papa. She cooks the best humba and the best chocolate cake in the world (yes, I don't care if I've never eaten the entire world). Sometimes when I get lonely, I just recall those moments when I help her out in the kitchen, how bossy she was and how reluctant I was to help out. In the end, I still end up sitting at our tiny dining table and eating the best meals of my life.

She is also funny as hell. She has a way of saying things which makes me laugh out loud. Perhaps it's the Kamayo in her or that great old Bisdak humor she's known for. I have a gazillion memories of how funny my mother is.

I remember how big of an event PBA (and boxing) was in our household. She's sooo loud and crass while watching the games to the point where she finds the need to point her fingers towards the TV screen and curse the players of the opposing team, like she's the long-lost coach or something. She would shout at the top of her lungs, saying things like "Nagdamila ra ka Ildefonso, ayo ra! Eric Menk tarunga kuno na diha do, murag naglalay ra ng itlog nimo!"  So classy right? But that's how she rolls and I love and miss her for that. If her team wins, she dances around the house complete with limbo rock moves. She's crazy that way. She also finds it pleasurable to insult my all-time favorite player, Alvin Patrimonio, calling him "gurang" just to irritate the hell out of me. 

She also mastered the art of budgeting and practicality. Just like most mothers, she doesn't pinch a penny on food, but for all other luxurious items, it's second to none. I remember asking her to buy me pretty clothes and all I got was this, "Naghubo na ka?" Don't get me wrong, it's not that she doesn't buy us new clothes, it's just that she's not a fan of expensive stuff just for the heck of it. Until now, I could only wish I'd inherited even just a teeny bit of that practical attitude. 

However, just like all mother-daughter relationships, ours was also ridden with lots of fights, and I mean A LOT. Nowadays I just find these memories funny but back then I was pissed. It amazes me how much age and maturity can change a person's perspective. My mama and I used to have the best hate-hate relationship in the world. We fight like children. I felt like she did not understand me and her response was "right back at you!" She used to chase me around the house with a broom on her hand. Yes, she's the prime candidate for Bantay Bata. Good thing, my father was there to save the day. 

When I left college, our relationship changed slowly but surely. I began to miss every little thing about her, including the countless times I accompany her to the market. I missed her terribly since I've been away. The distance between us served as the healing bridge to our relationship. I began to confide in her and she did the same to me. We became more like friends because of the distance. There were still lots of misunderstandings in between but the older I get, the more I began to appreciate all the things she did for me, good and bad. In the most cliche way possible, I became more appreciative of her ways and now I wouldn't want it any other way. I know she's one of the few people in my life who has my best interest in mind - nothing more, nothing less.

She's in the States right now, and though I cannot articulate all the things that happened since then, I am sooo glad she finally found happiness. She is simply the best, always was... always will. Happy Mother's Day to my one and only mother dearest, Flor! I love you, mama!