My One & Only Mom

MANILA, Philippines - For all the sons and daughters out there, you only have a “one and only” mother. She may not be perfect but she is your mother.

As for my one and only, Carmen is her name.

In her younger years, my mother Carmen was a very active woman. She loved to dress up, dance and tell stories of her work and her favorite boss. True, we may have heard these stories more than twice but we just let her.

She worked hard to make ends meet, even handling two jobs, because she wanted to make sure her four children finished school. She never said “no” to anyone who approached her for help and I don’t think I ever heard her complain about her relatives asking. I simply remember seeing her giving and no matter how financially challenged she was, she never ran out of willingness to give.

My mother migrated more than 30 years ago to America and seldom visited Manila. It was her dream to work in America and bring all her children there.

I also have to say that my mother was my major encourager to sing. She taught me expressions in the best way she knew. I was just starting in my singing career when she left. I would visit her from time to time but only when I had US tours. My very busy schedule didn’t give me many opportunities to be with my mom.

A major stroke changed all that. When she became ill, I chose to bring her back to the Philippines because I believed she would get better care here. It was my way of giving back to her for all the amazing things she had done for me and my family... all the many sacrifices she made to see us through.

With her generosity and loving care always in my mind, recording Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan became so real to me, in particular, the lyrics: “Sana’y di magmaliw and dati kong araw ng munti pang bata sa piling ni Nanay.”

She has been bedridden for five years now. Gratefully, God continues to provide for all that I need to take care of her, even a wonderful nurse and caregiver named Karel.

I continue to pray and believe that our God of the impossible would restore her health. Sometimes I pray that even to just make her talk would be sufficient with me and yet, I get convicted because I know our God is a great God who can do great things. Divine healing, complete healing is truly what I ask for.

More than ever, I appreciate my mother because of her example of goodness. More so now, when I look back and realize how much she taught us about faith. Because of her closeness to God, it wasn’t difficult for me to believe.

Now even my daughter Isabella has this great love for God, in no small way, thanks to the example set by her grandmother. Truly what the Bible teaches is true: When we train a child in the right path, when they are older they will not leave it (Proverbs 22:6).

However challenging my life has been thus far, today. I have peace knowing that no matter where God takes Isabella or me, we will be fine. My mother’s example of great faith will carry us through.

Our concert, My One & Only (May 6 and 7 at the Music Museum), is a way of honoring my mother Carmen. Hopefully, the show can inspire all the sons and daughters out there to take every opportunity to give their mothers the best time they can. 

Actually, I don’t remember ever having done a concert for Mother’s Day. This is my first and I wish my mother could be part of the audience to witness how much love I have for her. In more ways than I can count, she will always be my one and only.