Without a doubt, mothers really care more about their children.
However, an article published in Psychology Today argues that a woman’s inclination to supposedly care more about her child is a practical function more than a biological one. Mothers often spend more time with their children because, in many cultures, it is traditionally the women who are left to care for the children. Hence, mothers are not necessarily better parents than fathers. Men and women, too, share the responsibility of taking care of their children.
In any case, anyone who has been raised by a Filipino mother can attest that their nanay can definitely take it up a notch in terms of child care. And as we all know, the Filipino community is heavily family-centric. So maybe it’s just the Filipino tendency to be a bit extra.
In any case, Filipino children definitely have a funny anecdote or two about how their mothers raised them. To honor Mother’s Day, here are some cute things our nanays have done while taking care of us:
•Preparing clothes very meticulously—including placing a bimpo on your back, buying terno or matching pieces of clothing for you and your siblings, and sewing or altering the clothes herself if she finds them too revealing.
Funny as it may seem but let’s face it. These made for cute pictures and core memories!
•Enforcing naps every afternoon
Imagine this. You attend classes every morning and arrive from school a little after noon. You eat lunch your mother prepared for you, you watch a bit of television. Then, in comes your mother commanding you to stop whatever it is you are doing because it is nap time—and you are not allowed to do anything else until you take that nap.
Now, science tells us that a well-time nap can provide your brain with a little boost. But why would a child, with all that boundless energy and no immediate major life responsibilities, need an afternoon nap? Who knows except your mother whose insistence on naps likely ingrained that practice in your brain, or turned you off from naps forever.
But as adults now, we all cherish a few minutes of nap time – even for just 5 minutes to recharge. It really makes a huge difference!
•Taking care of you when you’re sick by giving you a hot towel scrub (because she said a full bath or shower can make you feel worse) and a heavy dose of mentholated topical ointment.
It may have smelled funny back then but those ointments provide great relief for colds and migraines!
•Scaring you with unimaginable creatures to prevent you from staying out late
It’s understandable that your nanay wouldn’t want you staying out too late, playing in the neighborhood streets with your friends. But instead of just imposing a curfew—something you became quite familiar with when you got older—some mothers resorted to the scare tactic. Specifically, telling you that a monster or halimaw or a stranger on a motorcycle will kidnap you if you are not at home at a certain time. While the concern is understandable—some neighborhoods aren’t safe at night, after all—did our mothers have to resort to something that could lead to trauma?
But in hindsight, it did keep us more aware of our surroundings. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
•Insisting that you finish the food on your plate every meal and telling you that certain food items can make you grow taller
The rice may have been too much for your appetite to handle as a kid. Having to finish the entire meal was indeed a huge task for us. But looking back, we have all reaped the nutritional benefits of a full meal!
•Experiencing her hoarding tendencies
Your mother liked keeping the containers of all the food items she buys. So, naturally, this practice trickled down to you. Even though you have a proper baunan for your school lunches, your ulam are likely stored in a different container every time. Your lunch probably included a sachet of ketchup or two—which she got for free from your trips to your favorite fast food chain. And who could forget the Pinoy classic: the ice cream tub that has fish inside and biscuit containers that actually contain her sewing accouterments.
Let’s face it. Storage also requires a budget. Those plastic microwavables would also cost a few bucks – most especially the fancy ones. So the most practical way to store is to reuse, but maybe not for our baon.
•Understanding her special, secret language
The Filipino mother is prone to using a sort of language that only she and her children can understand. Her “psst” spells fear inside the household and her “bahala ka sa buhay mo” means you actually better do what she told you. A single shriek of “Anak!” or your name means you better run to her—and quickly. And she better not start counting “Isa, dalawa…” Of course, even though she says the most generic expressions, you knew what they meant immediately.
While these child-rearing practices can already be considered funny—and sometimes questionable—by today’s standards, what remains true is that many of these motherly practices come from a place of genuine Filipino love and care.
This Mother’s Day, return the favor by giving your beloved mother a special and unique gift. Fortunately, RCBC Credit Cards offer promos that can make buying a gift for your mother easier. You may send her flowers and get 25% OFF + FREE Shipping on blooms and gifts via FlowerStore.ph App, or perhaps a staycation at Joy Nostalg and get 25% OFF on stay and up to 40% OFF dining deals.
You can also check out luxurious gifts online at Rustans.com and get P500 OFF or buy home Appliances and get freebies such as Dowell Multi Cooker, Tower Fan, or Sandwich Maker with 0% Installment + BNPL purchase at Automatic Centre or Electroworld
For RCBC Hexagon Club members, you can take advantage of exclusive dining discounts of up to P2,500 for a minimum spend of P5,000 single receipt. Simply use your RCBC Hexagon Club Priority World Mastercard Credit Card or RCBC Hexagon Club Privilege Platinum Mastercard Credit Card at Boteyju, Paper Moon, Greyhound Cafe, and more!
Give your mom the most meaningful and unforgettable celebration this Mother’s day.
