What Mama Would Say
Remembering the Greatest Mother on her Birthday, 503
The Most Important Day of March
This March 20, 2024 is Mama's birthday. She would have turned 92.
The month of March has always been the busiest month for our family. We have 8 birthdays and 2 wedding anniversaries. Comes March 10, we also need to change time for Daylight Savings Time, and then the Araw ng Davao festival n the Philippines, and if you wished to -- you can wear green on St Patrick's comes Mar 17.
The most important day, of course, is March 20. the second day the spring season! This is the time where the earth's soil soften while crops and roots start to push their way up through as mother earth experiences a rebirth as it awakens from its winter slumber. March 20 is also The International day of Happiness.
The Days of March (Our Calendar)
-
March 03 - Matthew and John
-
March 07 - Wong Siok Sin (Ah-ko)
-
March 10 - Daylight Saving Time
-
March 16 - Wishing John
-
March 17 - St Patrick's Day
-
March 19 - Crisha Jann
-
March 19 - First Day of Spring
-
March 20 - Mama / Ama
-
March 20 - International Day of Happiness
-
March 21 - Freddie & Bay Bay
-
March 23 - Ton Ton & Sally
-
March 27 - Trevin Shawn
-
March 28 - Justine Nichole
-
March 28 - Kendrick
Excerpt from Mama's Zhao Ming Collections, circa 1952-1956 (at age 22)
Alas! Young one. A simple wrong perception will breed great misunderstanding. As you gain more experience in life, you will one day look back and laugh at your own foolishness.
Think About It!
Mama's Magic Touch --- William
One of the many beautiful things that I will never forget is the way Mama hold my hand. When I was younger, she would hold my hands and help me feed myself. I can almost feel Mama holding my hands when I started riding my green bicycle, or when we crossed the street, or even when she uses "bim-po" (face towel) to wipe my dirty hands and face after school.
Mama have a very special touch and as she softly rubbed my hands, I can feel her great love for me. Without her saying a word, her touch immediately warmth me all over and I know from my heart that Mama is full of love.
Mama's reminders like "wear something warm", "don't come home late" or "do your homework" are simple things that are forever planted in my heart for the rest of my life.
Happy Birthday Mama
.jpg)
Beautiful Soul of A Woman, My Ama --- Justine
I remember every Sunday evening was family night at Ama’s house and I would be so excited to eat some authentic Chinese-Filipino food. Earlier on when we initially started having the weekly dinners, I remember she always used to cook for everyone. Coming into the house, I would smell the pleasant and distinct aroma of sesame seed oil because that was always an essential and staple ingredient in Ama’s dishes.
As soon as I would welcome myself in, I would greet Ama with a kiss on her cheek, and let me tell you...that Jergens lotion works wonders on her skin because it was always so incredibly supple whenever I’d give her kisses. If she wasn’t in the kitchen cooking, she would be in her natural habitat --- on her reclinable couch watching her usual Chinese news or drama. From there, I would sit right next to her and watch her shows, even though I couldn’t understand a single word of Chinese. But I sat there willingly anyways because having her as company never failed to keep me entertained. When she would put on news, we would always critique the female newscaster’s outfits and makeup. Ama would either say the newscaster looked “siao siao” or “maganda”. She always had a unique way in expressing her words when she would trash-talk a person’s physical appearance. I would get a good laugh out of her silly remarks.
When I was in my pre-teens, I admired Ama’s nails because she always had them so elegantly shaped and painted. I’ve always admired her sense of style, beauty, and proper care for her own personal enjoyment. I would compliment her so often on her nails that one day she insisted on giving me a little pedicure session. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to her bathroom where she had stashed all her nail polish in her drawers. She told me to pick any color I desired, so I picked the red color by Revlon because it was what she was also wearing at that moment. The next day, I was flaunting my nails at school and showing all my friends how proud I was of my nail lady’s work hehe. Occasionally, I still think of the many fond memories that Ama and I shared together. But the process of creating this mini remembrance journal made me reminisce a lot more of those memories and with that, I am surely missing this beautiful soul of a woman tremendously. Happy birthday, Ama! I love you so much.
Xoxo, Justine
What My Mother Would Say - Walden
A flash of light swiftly glide the stars
Was that lovely venus or the reddish mars?
As I gazed up and beyond the skies
The full moon beamed into my weary eyes
I wake to dreams of Mama and me
By her bedside, how pretty is she.
School and summertime and Christmas too,
Over mountains and oceans and skies of blue.
I sat and wonder what my Mother would say
On a springtime eve on a March Wednesday.
Hurry, your Papa is waiting by the door,
Dimsum, Noodles and much, so much more.
Over the years, you built the bond
Carried your family, above and beyond.
Hell or high waters, will never break,
To Mom, it's just -- but, a stroll by the lake.
I still wake to dreams of Mama and me
Beside her bedside, sleeping beauty is she.
My comic book heroes they never grow old,
Still nothing beats Mother's pure heart of gold.
And I sat and wonder what my Mother would say
On a springtime eve on a March Wednesday.
Walk slowly, drive safely, and go to bed early,
Precious whispers said to your boy of sixty!
I miss my dear Mama, as I cried a tear,
My mother's touch, lost to yesteryear.
Yet no matter near or far apart
You will always be staying right in my heart.
Leaving left a heartache no one can heal,
Your love and sweet memories no one can steal.
Now forever gone from my blurry sight,
Shining in my heart that is golden bright.
So I sat and wonder what my Mother would say
On a springtime eve on a March Wednesday.
As I said Happy Birthday to my dearest Mama,
Be happy my son. Am in the Promised Land with Papa.
Still I sat and wondered what Mother would say,
This springtime evening of a March Wednesday
I said Happy Birthday to my dearest Mother,
Til I see you again, my dear Father and Mother.
And I sat and wondered what my Mother would say,
This full moon evening of a March Wednesday,
I hear halleluiajah in all its spendor and glory
singing praises and worhips to our God Almighty.
What My Mother Would Say
Happy Birthday Mama --- Walter
It was just like yesterday
530pm coming home from school
You were there eagerly waiting for me
Even after facing the ebbs and flows of the day
You still had the energy to help me clean up
To feed me and to help me with all my homework
I guess that’s how mothers are
And I know I’m the lucky one
Because I have you by my side, the best mom in the world
And today is a very special day for me
Because today is your birthday
Happy birthday, my dearest mom
It was just like yesterday
When on Sundays we went to the beach
With all my brothers and sisters
While we were enjoying the warm Pacific water
Your watchful eye by the shoreline
Kept us safe and secured
I guess that’s how mothers are
And I know I’m the lucky one
Because I have you by my side, the best mom in the world
And today is a very special day for me
Because today is your birthday
Happy birthday, my dearest mom
It was just like yesterday
When we went to Manila on September 8, 2017
You were so happy
Seeing all your old friends
It was also one of the happiest moments of my life
Seeing you talking and singing with friends
It was just like yesterday
When I said my last goodbye
Before you went with our Lord
I was deeply saddened, but at the same time joyful
Because my dearest mom was finally with our Lord
Together with Papa, singing and laughing
Now more than a year passes by
I can still feel your love and kisses
I can still hear your voice
I still see you everyday
And I know you are looking down from Heaven
Watching over us so we will be safe
I guess that’s how mothers are
And I know I’m the lucky one
Because I have you by my side, the best mom in the world
And today is a very special day for me
Because today is your birthday
Happy birthday, my dearest mom
Happy birthday, my dearest mom
Happy birthday, my dearest mom
Wear Your Seat Belt Ama - John John
Hi Ama, don't forget to always wear your seat belt. You know I love you very much. Remember, when I always put on your seatbelt for you? I would say "Move your 'pwet' mo Ama, so I can seatbelt you." We miss you Ama.
Memories with the Greatest Mother Ever!
With our Parents in Hongkong, sometime in the late 90s. - Wilda & Freddie
The opening week of Tea Cup Mall in Rosemead on Feb-2018
Christmas Celebration, Dec-24, 2016 at the 6th Residence, Arcadia
Mama's Birtthday Celebration