Happy Birthday Wowa! (A long read)

Wowa and I had a love and hate relationship when I was growing up. God, she was so strict that it drove me crazy! Feeling ko it was because I was her only daughter and she felt that it was her duty to protect me, my virginity and all.

First no boyfriends were allowed. Kaso kinder pa lang ako, I told her I had a crush on my classmate. Muntik na daw siyang himatayin. She encouraged me to be open to her regarding these matters when I reached my teen years. We had a "no-secrets" relationship until eventually, pwede na yung ligaw ligaw lang. Then after how many years, because she didn't believe that I didn't have boyfriends, she allowed me to have one provided I follow her 10,000 rules. Everything was done under her supervision.

I have to mention that even if she allowed me to have boyfriends, she didn't approve any of them. Ang daming side comments! Pero kay Alvin, wala. As is wala siyang mareklamo. Peyborit eh!

Anyways, with regards to studying, she was mega strict too. When I arrive from volleyball practice everyday, I have to be studying until 830pm. I can take phone calls until 9pm only. After that, I have to sleep na. Hindi pwedeng tumakas because she would sit right next to the phone while watching TV.

I was also not allowed to have grades below 85. Otherwise, I have to quit playing volleyball and my love life. In San Agustin, that's not easy ha. I studied my ass off because I love playing volleyball. Ang boys okay lang mawala, pero ang volleyball talaga, cannot be.

I wasn't allowed also to watch movies with my boyfriends. Hindi din pwedeng mag-date.

She screens my friends. She tells me if there is a friend that she didn't like.

I was allowed to party but only until 10pm. Kakadating pa lang ng mga friendships ko niyan sa party pero pauwi na ako.

As a teenager, it was crazy! We would always fight with each other because I felt that she was so strict. When I went home after a volleyball game with tocino legs, she was so angry kulang na lang sabunutan niya talaga ako.

But that was just the mother-daughter strictness part. Apart from that, my mom and I were super close. I lived with her kasi when she separated from my dad. We have been through a lot. Nandyan nung ma-pera siya. Shopping kami dito, shopping dun. Breakfasts at the Shangri-la hotel before she took me to school. Whatever I like, she would buy.

Pero nandyan din yung times na naghirap siya. As in Wala. Talaga. Kaming. Pera. I remember back in 4th year high school, we were supposed to have our graduation photos taken. Almost all of my classmates went to the salon to have their makeup done. Kami ni mama, no money. So she did my make up instead. Ayun sa awa ng Diyos, mukha akong may black eye sa High School yearbook namin.

And then there was also a time we went to Megamall. We cannot leave the mall because Mama didn't have money to pay for the parking ticket. She thought kasi she had a 500 peso bill pa in her wallet. Wala na pa. Imagine that. Buti na lang, when she was making kalkal her wallet, she saw a 10 dollar bill na naka-ipit. Ayun, she had it exchanged and we went home.

As years gone by, ayun naka-ahon na siya again. She is a strong woman and I believe I got that from her. She has gone through a lot in her life. Gusto ko na siya pagawan ng rebulto.

MAMA: Sira ulo ka. Buhay pa ako, gagawan mo na ko ng rebulto?!

Now that I am a mother too, I understand why she was so strict with me while I was growing up. Nakaka-windang talaga kasi if you have a child already. Doble ang windang especially if you have a daughter. I appreciate her more now. She was like that pala because she loves me so much. It pays naman her strictness. Look at me now. I graduated from one of the top universities, passed my board exams, have a great job and married to the most wonderful guy in the entire world. All that because of her guidance.

Nowadays, Mama and I are a lot closer. I value the advices she gives me lalo na with regard to marriage and about being a wife and mother. She keeps on telling me to learn from her and my dad's mistakes. She told me to, at least, try to be submissive to my husband. She also told me na now that I'm a wife, pagkinalabit daw ako ni Alvin, I should never say no. Eh paano pag-ako ang nangangalabit?! Choz.

It was my mom's 59th birthday yesterday. She will kill me if she knew I broadcasted her age here in my blog.

MAMA: Hay naku. I-fe-facebook mo na naman ako!

ME: Blog Ma. Iba-blog kita. Iba ang facebook sa blog.

MAMA: Whatever.

To the woman I look up to...
To the woman responsible for who and what I am today...
To my bestest best friend in the entire world.....

Happy, Happy Birthday Mama! I love you so much!

Anika with her Wowa yesterday at Outback Restaurant

Outfit of the day: Dress from Marks and Spencer, Wacoal lace bra, Aerosole shoes

I told her to pose because I'll take her outfit of the day photo. She said dun daw sa may kotse niya para magtanong daw kayo paano siya nagka-pera. Hahahaha! But seriously, you have to ask her about her business. Super nice talaga to invest there. My mom can prove it to you =) *free plugging!*

Email niyo kow!! =)