2018 Best Nanay awardees named

It is certain that motherhood demands bigger-than-you-think sacrifices. From giving birth to providing a child with a good foundation on which to build a secure future truly require hard work and unconditional love from a mother. Do you ever imagine how much more sacrifices of those many mothers who raise their children without the support of the father of their children? Thus, it is but only right to honor our mothers.

The Make Your Nanay Proud (MYNP) Foundation, Inc. sees the importance of paying tribute to mothers and its project called the Best Nanay Awards reflects love and gratitude to them. This year, MYNP received nominees that ballooned to 1,081 then whittled down to 268 before the jury panel came up with 10 Best Nanay awardees and one Licerna R. Abunda awardee, who all showed the finest qualities of Filipino ilaw ng tahanan: Hardworking, compassionate, selfless, resilient, love for family. The awards were handed out last month at Chardonnay by Astoria in Pasig City in glittering ceremonies hosted by Julius Babao and wife Christine “Tintin” Bersola.

Here are the 2018 Best Nanay awardees:

• Leonora Alvarez Gealogo, 90 years old, from Cavite City. Nanay Leonora overcame all challenges — from being orphaned at a young age to facing economic crisis since Martial Law to raising and sending her three children to University of the Philippines after being widowed. As a pharmacist, she worked hard not just for her children but also displayed love and concern for others through the different organizations she put up for the welfare of the youth and Filipino women. She was the past president of Women of the Philippine Independent Church and Cavite City Women’s Club.

• Remedios Oronce Agoncillo, 80, from Antipolo City. Despite the traumatic experience living with her aunts during her younger years, Nanay Remedios didn’t lose hope in life. She recalled how she had to endure all the hardships so that her aunts would let her go to school. But it didn’t happen until she decided to leave them to stay with her cousin in an area near Malacañang. There, she worked as a nurse aide and at the same time studied secretarial at Rodriguez Institute in Manila. It was in the same school where she met the man who later on became her husband and the father of her children. When Martial Law was declared in 1972, her husband lost his job that led Nanay Remedios to work double time. Now in her 80s, she has high blood pressure, arthritis and other ailments that come with the advancing of age. But she keeps a high spirit, still wanting to take care of her kids, relatives and grandchildren.

• Nenita Malig Naniong, 78, from Galas, Quezon City. A former principal at Doña Aurora Quezon Elementary School, Nanay Nenita lived up to the expectation of the community on what a good principal should be. She believes that education is for all and no one should be refused admission in school as long as he/she meets the prescribed requirements. As a principal, she was bent on providing favorable learning environment to students by improving on school facilities. She is proud that all of her sons are active in their line of specialization. The eldest handles formation and leadership for the youth being the head of the Parish Youth Ministry. Her second son organizes sports tournaments while the youngest takes care of the midget and junior basketball tournament. Her husband, on the other hand, handles parish concerns related to dealing with construction and mechanical work. Nanay Nenita is chairperson of Education Ministry in Parish Pastoral Council of Our Lady of Fatima, president of Catholic Women’s League and president of Senior Citizens of Brgy. Doña Aurora.

• Aleja Albesa Docena, 60, from Taft, Eastern Samar. She has been through a lot of difficulties in life. At a young age, Nanay Aleja’s father passed on, leading her biological mom to leave her under the care of her “adoptive mom.” She married at 17. Her husband suffered cerebral stroke last April. In spite of financial problems and health issues, she was able to send her 10 children to school who all earned college degrees. Nanay Aleja has been working as an accounting clerk at SNSAT-TESDA since the ‘70s. She received the Best Employee award. Given her “retirable” age, Nanay Aleja continues to work, traveling around the province of Eastern Samar on a regular basis as part of the assessment team of SNSAT-TESDA to support the technical education and job prospects of students.

• Maria Teresa Cuartelon Carolino, 52, from Brgy. Talipapa, Quezon City. Nanay Teresa knows how to give an unconditional love not just to her daughter but also to people around her. Her daughter got pregnant at 16 yet Nanay Teresa didn’t hesitate on taking care of her daughter and grandchild. As if that’s not enough, Nanay Teresa also tried her best to care for her four nephews abandoned by their mother. She, too, teaches arts for free to young cancer patients and out-of-school youth, oftentimes, providing them with art materials. Nanay Teresa is the founder of Lakbay Sining Kabataang Pintor ng QC.

• Esperanza Labatos Samaco, 80, from Maasin City, Southern Leyte. As a mother of three sons, Nanay Esperanza has raised them to be God-fearing and forgiving. In fact, she was named as the Parish Model Mother for making the children understand the importance of putting Christ in the center of their lives. Aside from sending her children to school, Nanay Esperanza financed the schooling of her nieces and nephews. She worked as an assistant district engineer at DPWH in Tacloban City, and eventually became the first woman district engineer in Region 8, assigned at DPWH Baybay, Leyte. She donated a lot to the Carmelites Sisters to build a monastery.

• Esterina Cuizon Alinsug, 71, from Tugbongan, Consolacion, Cebu City. A religious woman but a liberal-minded mom who does good things for everyone, Nanay Esterina provides free education to deserving, less-fortunate youth. She is a member of Lupon Tagapayapa in her hometown and enjoys doing this kind of work since her four children were still young. Her husband was a former member of the Philippine military assigned in Mindanao.

• Felisa Corpuz Carpiso, 60, from San Mateo, Isabela. Even while she already lost count of her husband’s shortcomings, Nanay Felisa still has a forgiving heart. Her love never falters a bit. She took all the challenges as motivation to work hard for her three children to complete their studies. The former school principal continues to take part in the cleanliness and orderliness of their barangay.

• Flocita Tilles Gragas, 72, from Delpan, Tondo, Manila. The retired public school teacher and single mother has two children who both completed their education. Her youngest child was three when she separated from her husband. Thus, she was called “NayTay” for her determination to provide for her children and at the same time lend a helping hand to others no matter what. She recalled how she worked double time — a teacher in the morning and a vendor in the afternoon — to make ends meet. She, too, supported the education of her 10 siblings. Nanay Flocita is provider, teacher and mother rolled into one.

• Rhodora Alcantara Bohol, 76, from Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City. A graduate of Stella Maris College in 1962, Nanay Rhodora became a professor at the Laguna College in San Pablo City and a radio announcer for two years at DZSP in San Pablo City. She also worked as executive secretary at Filipinas Orient Airways and involved herself in community work. Despite the heavy workload, Nanay Rhodora was able to raise her three sons who are all career holders. She said her children became involved in the apostolate work after she and her husband attended the Marriage Encounter weekend in 1984. Today, she still works as secretary in the barangay and as president of two senior citizens associations in Quezon City.

• Licerna R. Abunda awardee: Rhodora Morales from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. Nanay Rhodora single-handedly raised her two children. She sent them to school, took care of them and still found time to care for every individual seeking her help. She is known in their barangay as the mother who wants nothing but happiness of her children, friends and work mates. 

The awardees received hand-sculpted mother and child trophies from Ifugao, cash prizes, gift packs and gift certificates.

The 2018 Best Nanay Awards was made possible by partners Jeffrey Ng and Vay Ng of Astoria Hotels and Resorts, Chardonnay by Astoria, Mike Sicat of M.E. Sicat Construction, Generika, Tacloban Rep. Yedda Romualdez, Star Image Artist Management, Aqueous Entertainment, Great Image, Jollibee, Adobo Connection, Genesis Transport Service, Inc., TechnoMarine, Sogo Hotel, Icon Hotel, Eurotel, Beautederm, McDonald’s, Montage, Donjar Burgers, Beauty in Seoul, Barlico, Latif Khabir, Vandarah Café and Fashion Hub, Mommy Treats, Rica dela Merced, SM Markets, Pro Young wellness Clinic, Lorenzo Tan, InterMatrix Document Solutions, Inc., Orange Blush Salon and Asian Artists Agency, Inc.