Antipolo with Mommy

On Mother’s Day, I want to remember my Mom – all of 85 years old who aspires to be like Mother Teresa. She has 40 (FORTY!) grandchildren by her latest count, up to”apo sa tuhod.”

She lives in Antipolo at a subdivision where the roads were recently paved by the local government, now headed by Mayor Vic Sumulong. An old friend of the family, Mayor Vic came to the inauguration of the roads, now concrete, giving Inday Subdivision a totally new image. Two days prior to the inauguration, my Mom invited me to meet up with the Mayor and reminisce party days when he had a band called “Telstars.” He still has one, by what name it’s called, I wouldn’t know.

Antipolo is also home to a good friend, Ludy who has a property along Sumulong Highway. ALAPADI holds a lot of memories not only for our school batch, but also for people who go to Antipolo to sight-see. It’s located on top of a hill overlooking parts of Metro Manila and on a smog-free evening, you’d see it lit as if with Tivoli lights.

On my recent visits to my Mom, I compared prices. Food costs less, transportation costs more there than where I stay and electricity about the same. I don’t know about water though. She had a deep well constructed at her home and gets water supply from there mostly. Her phone line is Digitel but that’s ‘cause my adopted brother works in the company. In other words, at her age and with my Dad long gone, she has kept well, very well in fact. Distributing graces to all knocking at her door is her only vice. I’ve seen it myself, no joke. You know those kids caroling during the Christmas season? They came at 10 minute intervals! I’d shoo them away but she just kept giving.

Is there an award for a Mom like her? Is there hope for her to be another Mother Teresa?