The Philippines celebrates Mother’s Day Sunday to recognize the fathomless contribution of mothers in building the lives of their children.
Tomorrow, Filipinos will execute a snappy salute to mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers to show appreciation for the many good things they do to keep their families safe and nurtured, and cohesive.
Never mind if some of them are working in air-conditioned offices in some posh financial districts, in factories or in any gainful employment work zone—for their tasks as mothers are never finished when they have left for their respective work sites the following day.
Mother’s Day dates back to ancient Greeks and Romans who celebrated in honor of mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, although modern reference to the day can be found in Mothering Sunday, which was the fourth Sunday in Lent celebrated in Britain and some parts of Europe.
The festival was religious in nature as on Mothering Sunday when people used to visit their main church, also known as the mother church.
People celebrate Mother’s Day by giving presents to their mothers or by doing something special for them.
Festivals honoring mothers and mother goddesses date to ancient times.
In the anxiety-filled pandemic times as in the Philippines, there are several things people can do for their mothers if they are living together under one roof. Or, if living apart, they can use technology to make each other feel they are just in the other room.
Given the various levels of COVID-19 lockdown from north to south, families will have to pause, perhaps in grateful silence, and raise gratitude for the mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers who have provided emotional strength to their families in the different seasons.
They deserve nothing less.
