A Mother is God's Masterpiece

TODAY I pay tribute to Mothers everywhere.  Indeed they are one of God's best masterpieces.  My favorite literary piece about moms is Erma Bombeck's "When God Created Mothers".  It is a very moving conversation between God and an angel while God was working "overtime" in creating the mother. 

God tells his angel that the specs are unlike any other.  She can "run on black coffee and leftovers", has "a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair.  She "has six pairs of hands", has "three pairs of eyes - one that sees through closed doors", "another in the back of her head ", and of course the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word."  She has to be "soft and yet tough", can "heal herself when she is sick", and "can reason and compromise". God said, " You can imagine what this mother can do or endure".

When the angel tells God to get some rest, God says, "I can't. I'm so close to creating something so close to myself."

Reading those words brings warmth to my heart because indeed, a Mother is God's masterpiece, and yes, I have seen all these qualities truly evident in mothers all around me.    So today I thank God for creating Mothers, especially my own.

It is with this same gratitude that Janice Villanueva, a truly amazing woman and mom (who I seriously suspect has super powers), has founded one of the most established community of moms in the country.  She brings us together through her well-attended events, her revolutionary products created especially for moms, and her other businesses that grew out of sheer passion for motherhood and the desire to help other mothers be super moms like herself.

Janice at the Expo Mom event in Bacolod

Janice with Glenn Garces, EDUCHILD Speaker and Kitkat Lobaton,
GATO VERDE Founder and Managing Director

My Brother in Law Marc Lopez and his son, Anton giving a
talk entitled "My 6-year old invests in the Stock Market"  

"You the Mom" Francine Uy with Janice

Kat, Yols, Dr. Ting and Janice

My Ella and I with Janice

My first encounter with Janice was 9 years ago when I had just delivered my now 9-year-old daughter, Ella.  Breastfeeding in public was not as common that time and so it was very difficult to find locally made nursing wear.  I found out about "Mommy Matters" from my mommy friends and I became a big fan because wearing those fashionable nursing blouses enabled me to breastfeed my baby just about anywhere, in style.  Although I had always wanted to personally thank her and commend her for her ingenious products, I never got the chance to meet her until today, 9 years later, at one of her events that has sprouted in other parts of the country, including Bacolod.

Talking to her was like talking to an old friend even if we had just met.  She is a simple, down to earth mom, who wants nothing but the best for her children, but as she pursued her passion for being the best mom she could ever be, she has inspired thousands of other moms, and now has become a very successful entrepreneur or "mompreneur".

Janice with her beautiful family
(Photo Credits: Stork Studio)

The theme for this year's Expo Mom campaign is "You the Mom", highlighting the greatness of all moms.  In her heart she believes that all moms are wonderful and beautiful and as she has given recognition and a good pat on the back to moms all over the Philippines, her work and her life should as well be very much celebrated.  With the long list of roles that she plays, Janice has been a great blessing to many moms and their families.  But what inspires me most is that above all these important roles that she plays, what comes first is being mom to her 3 children.   This woman indeed is God's masterpiece of a mom in the flesh.  Now it's our turn to say, Janice, You the Mom!  

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, September 4, 2014)

Check out Mommy Mundo's website to see Janice's wonderful projects and events for moms at  http://mommymundo.com/.  Read her personal blog at http://janicevillanueva.com/ and be very blessed.

Championing Respect

I was seated on my desk, working on my laptop while our School Principal and Academic Coordinator were also working on their desks, when little Kiana (not her real name) lugged behind her teacher who came in to our office to talk to me.

We all greeted her a cheery "Good Morning!" but she shook her head and refused to greet us back. Her teacher urged her to say a simple "Good Morning" but she continued to playfully decline our requests.

This situation could very easily be dismissed and say "that's just the way it is".  Some of us would even say "how cute!" But here, I saw a teachable moment. 

I stepped out of my desk, walked towards her and got on the floor to meet her eye level.  I held her hands and lovingly but firmly said "Kiana, we show respect by greeting our teachers back.  Could you kindly say Good Morning?"  She shook her head.

When I saw that she wasn't about ready to comply, I knew I needed some time alone with her.  I took her outside to a more private area where she and I could talk.  The struggle was coming from her being a playfully defiant child as I respectfully confronted her about her behavior.  I say "playfully defiant" because she can use her charm in a way that you would forget about her defiance!

So I talked to her about the importance of showing respect towards elders by greeting properly.  She said yes when I asked if she understood, but still, she wasn't ready to go in and greet the teachers.  I allowed her to take her time until she felt ready to do the right thing.  I knew it was difficult for her because she was struggling. 

No matter how defiant, children are capable of behavior
modificationwith the right guidance, training and a lot of love.
(Photo Credits: www.therapytoronto.ca)

 She whined and asked me to allow her to go back to her classroom but firmly, I said No, not until you have done the right thing.  So I waited for quite a while, until finally, she said she was ready.

She came in the office and said a very feeble "good morning" to each one of us, shaking each of our hands, as this is the common practice of greeting in school.  I then hugged and applauded her and told her how proud I was of her for showing respect and doing the right thing.

Many times we have very low expectations of our children.  We think that they are not capable of exhibiting certain character traits but with the right guidance and the patience in training them, we will be surprised to see them grow in character.

My friend, our Academic Coordinator happily reported to me days later that Kiana, without being told, came up to her along the hallway, hugged and greeted her.  She was so surprised and so impressed at the change in her demeanor.

I was also very pleasantly surprised yesterday, as Kiana confidently walked into our office with a big smile on her face.  She ran to me, hugged me and shook my hand, looked into my eyes and said "Good Morning Teacher!"

Right there, I knew that we had championed respect in this child.  I felt affirmed that this is what we are here for, to help children such as Kiana to grow not only in academic learning but most importantly in Godly character.

Self-regulated children are happy children
(Photo Credits: www.foothillsnetwork.ca)

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, August 14, 2014)

Thank you Lord for Yayas!

ALL of us were created by God for a specific purpose.  It is when we find that purpose and live it that we become a great blessing to the world. 

This is what I shared with the caregivers or yayas of the little ones in our school during our Yaya’s Day celebration.  We do this to honor them and in thanksgiving for the love and service of our yayas. 

They are the ones who usually go unnoticed and unrecognized in society.  But in every family, they play a major role as essentially they are our children’s second mothers.  In our society, many of our children are left to the care of the yayas.  In fact many of our households are entrusted to them too.  So it is only fitting that we offer them a tribute. 

During my short talk, I reminded them that they hold a big responsibility in shaping the future as they have a great influence in molding the character of the future generation.  This was to remind them never to say “yaya lang ako” (I’m just a yaya), because the role they play is very important.

No doubt these children one day will be the prime movers of society.  Who knows, one of them may even be the future President of the Philippines, I told them.  So the way we nurture and raise our children (of course, parents and teachers included) will greatly affect the world. 

I also reminded them that just like any other career or profession, it is important to do our jobs with EXCELLENCE, LOVE and JOY, because that is when we attain success.  When we do our work with excellence, love and joy, we BLESS the world and we CHANGE the world.  It is when we are making a difference that we become fulfilled and truly happy with our lives.

As many preschools do, every year we make sure we set aside a special day when the yayas can relax, enjoy and be reminded of how special they are.  Parents and students shared words of affirmation, gratitude and love for each yaya.  It was very touching to hear children say “thank you for taking care of me” to their yayas, that it brought tears to their eyes.

They then played games, as the theme for this year was “Yayalympics”.  It was physically challenging but they were up for it.  They also enjoyed a feast that their employers generously prepared for them.

Yayas enjoying their feast

Sack Race

Kadang Kadang

Yayas who have become friends

Winners of the Kadang Kadang

Kinder students assist Teacher Yeng in organizing the games

Egg throwing game

It was a great way to remind them that they are special, that they are loved and that they are greatly appreciated.  At the end of my talk, I told them that just as we so often remind our students, they too must go and “Let Your Light Shine!”.

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, August 7, 2014)