My ‘surrogate mothers’

I believe that in this world, there are only two kinds of women: those you need to take care of constantly and those who will take care of you. Since one has to be tough to survive show business, it doesn’t come as a surprise at all that this industry is populated mostly by strong women who are just too willing to look after the welfare of other people in this profession. These are the women with strong maternal instincts and I’ve been lucky that I have been looked after by some of them in my occasional moments of weakness. Here they are:

Lolit Solis - She is everybody’s Nanay - especially among the staff members of Startalk. While she is far from perfect (and that’s an understatement), you will still learn to love and forgive her for all her faults. Maybe because she is generally loving and solicitous to the people she loves.

I have to admit that there was a time when I resented her constantly breathing down my neck. But eventually, I realized that she was doing that only because she loved me and cared for me.

When asked to describe her, I always say that she is a female Robin Hood because she robs the rich to give to the poor. And yes, she’s always for equality. When it comes to food for example, she always sees to it that there is equal distribution. Of course, there are occasions when she gets the lion’s share. But then, didn’t I say that she is far from perfect? Oh, but I love the woman and you have to know her and know her well for you to love her.

Marichu Maceda - I’ve written so many times about how she practically stood as my mother because my biological mother was away for the longest time. But I’ll never tire of telling you all the wonderful things she has done for me. I just hope that she’ll never get tired looking after me - and accepting me and loving me for all my faults (immaturity and stubbornness).

I’m telling you, you can run to her for anything. When she found out that I was having my house renovated, she brought with her to meet with me Santi Santos, an extremely talented interior designer, who gave excellent suggestions on what to do with my place.

And this may come as a surprise, but the revered Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda, eldest daughter of the great star-builder Dr. Jose Perez, sometimes even plays errand girl to me. Yes, the Crown Princess of Sampaguita Pictures does chores for me. (Now, that I’m talking about it, I feel so embarrassed about how I’ve been taking advantage of her kindness.)

But more than anything else, I will forever be grateful to for all those times (and there were many) when she served as consultant to all my problems and, more importantly, as my emotional cushion through the never-ending roller-coaster ride of my life.

Rosa Rosal - I’ve also written reams and reams about how she, too, had served as an adoptive mother to me since my real Mom went abroad many years ago. But I will always be proud to say that... in the same manner that I’m so proud of all her achievements in life - both as an actress (the greatest ever) and as a humanitarian.

As my Mommy II (which is how I call her), she always keeps tab of the things I do and is forever inquiring about my family - my US-based mother in particular. And I’ll never forget how she and her daughter Toni Rose Gayda stood by me during the darkest hours of my life - a rather sad phase that had me confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center almost a decade ago.

Recently, when she learned that I was renovating my place, she gave me a pair of brass lamps, which she bought 50 years ago when she was just starting her career. Although I am not yet done with the renovation, I am sure to put those lamps in an important part of my house - in the same manner that I’ve put her in an important place in my heart.

Gloria Romero - Of all my adoptive mothers, she’s the only one who has not scolded me yet. (Oh, I get it from them - especially Marichu Maceda who had always been itching to give me a good spanking.) Basically, Tita Glo is very patient. But then, you know how it is about people who don’t easily get angry. Once they get mad, they’re like Mt. Pinatubo. And this explains why I’m always on my best behavior when I’m around her.

Caridad Sanchez - The one thing I love about Tita Caring is that she is like a psychiatrist running a clinic at 7-Eleven. Unlike Marichu Maceda and Rosa Rosal, who are both zonked out and in bed before midnight, Caridad Sanchez makes her psychiatric services available 24 hours a day. A record-breaking feat was when we talked on the phone one time from 11 p.m. to almost 4 a.m.

And what did we talk about? Everything from family problems to real estate investments. Although I don’t have much, I never make any decisions concerning the little money that I have without first consulting Tita Caring, who is always there at all times of the day.

Celia Rodriguez - It was only a year ago when Rosanna Roces introduced me to her. And Tita Celia and I had always been in constant touch since. Although she looks naughty on the outside, Celia Rodriguez is really a softie at heart. And yes, she is very motherly. Recently, I was touched no end when - from her kitchen - she gave me a whole Tupperware of the best crabstick salad along with a can of Sunflower crackers. And, oh, she also promised to make ginataang santol for me when the santol season comes around and I am already salivating just thinking about it.

Rosanna Roces - Although still young at 30, Osang’s maternal instincts are sharp as a knife. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that she became a mother at a very young age. And even if I am older than her, she is far more mature than I can ever hope to be. I therefore never hesitate to run to her to get her opinions even those concerning the vicissitudes of life. Young as she is, I’d like to think that she is a good Mom (to her kids and to the people around her) because she is caring, has wisdom and has a good heart - and I believe that’s what mothering basically is all about.