BY LEI FAJARDO
“A mother’s love endures through all.” — Washington Irving
TO THE WORLD they are hardworking government officials tirelessly serving the public 24/7.
In their homes they are ordinary mothers taking care of the needs of their family, doing endless household chores and making sure they have quality time for their children.
But how are they coping with and managing their unusual busy days spending much time at work and at home?
We asked some of our mom-politicians. May they inspire all Nanays out there that being a mother is a combination of strength, creativity and love that endures through all.
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REP. CAMILLE VILLAR
Rep. Camille Villar and son Tristan
Q: Being an elected official, how do you manage your time with your son?
A: Time management is all about setting priorities. My family, especially my son Tristan, is definitely my priority. So on days when I find myself swamped with so many activities and everything get too overwhelming, I always remind myself that my priority is my family. And when I do this, everything else seems to follow and somehow, I’m able to achieve even more things, one task at a time. I’m able to get things done knowing what my center is, what my priority is.
Definitely, time management is a struggle — finding that right balance between work and family. But as long as you know what your priorities are, you can make it work.
Q: What’s your favorite/most beautiful bonding moment with Tristan?
A: I love traveling and seeing new places with Tristan. You know, when you’re with a kid, even riding the escalator becomes a new experience. But as the pandemic put a halt on travel, we instead found new and simple ways to bond — staying at home and doing activities together.
Tristan likes experiments, so when we’re at home, we like to bond over that. We also watch TV and play together. So all these times that I get to spend with him, even in the simplest of activities, is something that I most cherish.
Q: What’s your message to all the moms?
A: Be kind to yourself, and give yourself the credit that is due to you.
As a mother, I always question myself — I always think I’m failing. But the best advice given to me was, “Be kind to yourself” and remember that this is not an easy job.
To all the moms out there, I know that you are doing your best. So on some days that you are second-guessing yourself, know that there’s a voice in your head and that there are people around you who believe you are doing your best. I think motherhood is one of the most challenging and fulfilling responsibilities or roles that one can have in their life, so just enjoy the ups, weather the downs, and experience how fulfilling motherhood can be.
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SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS
Sen. Risa Hontiveros and children
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
I deliberately carve out time for them in my schedule. For example, as soon as I find that there are a few hours to spare before or after a Senate session, hearing, or speaking engagement, I immediately message my kids to meet me for a quick meal or merienda.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with them?
In the context of the pandemic, in which we try not to go out as much as possible, bonding over board games at home has been both enjoyable and beautiful. We get to have fun together while also having different kinds of conversations.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
We are enough. There is no standard to aspire to, no criteria to meet, no list to tick off to become the “perfect mom.” All there is to do is to become the best person for our children.
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SEN. NANCY BINAY
Sen. Nancy Binay and children
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
For me, family always takes precedence. As much as possible, I try to engage them in most of my activities as a public official, like bringing them to the Senate or other public events if our schedules allow it. It may seem out of the ordinary kind of “bonding moments” but now they understand my work more.
At home, I am more of a hands-on mom and housewife. Laundry is my area of specialization, and gardening is my second career. We don’t have a househelp, so all the housework is divided between me, my husband, and the kids.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with them?
Before the pandemic, my husband and I try to bring the kids to different places, so they’ll have a normal upbringing. It’s our way to bond with our kids.
But during the pandemic, we had to limit our going out, so it’s just us six in our house doing all the usual outdoor activities in our own little corners. My husband is in charge of the kitchen and cooking. Aside from my role as labandera and plantita, I attend daily Senate hearings via Zoom, while my kids attend online classes. The dining room was the center of our bonding moments.
But now, we help my dad with his campaign. So, every now and then I bring the two eldest kids on the road.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
Try to listen to your kids, as they have other points of view that you might be able to see.
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COUNCILOR DR. CANDICE TUPAS
City of Iloilo
Iloilo City Councilor Dr. Candice Tupas together with her husband Dr. Lex Tupas and children, LexTom, Lexie and Alexa
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
I love doing my job as a City Councilor. Yes, it takes so much of my time from preparing for sessions and also for making sure I am always ready to give my inputs as I involve myself and take part during deliberations so that we produce quality legislation. This is aside from making sure I author and pass relevant and innovative local laws and resolutions. I also lead a number of special projects and programs for all sectors, districts and barangays. Aside from that, I am a practicing Medical Doctor and a Radiologist and that also requires so much of my time. To make sure that I have ample time or quality time with my three kids, I set a daily routine and make sure I have time to cater to the needs of my children. My youngest, Lexie, is two years old but I still exclusively breastfeed her so I need to go home at certain times of the day to fulfil that duty. For Alexa and LexTom, I make sure they have food, school supplies and that they are well taken cared of. I also make sure that I talk to them and give time for each of them. At this stage of their lives, being present is the language of love for them.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with them?
Our beautiful bonding moment is as simple as preparing to go to sleep as we all sleep in one room and most of us are in one bed. We also watch TV together from Cartoons to Superhero Movies to Koreanovelas and to Teleseryes. It is always about the company you are with. It is also about sharing and making more memories together.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
Being a mother or nanay or iloy is like being a superhero to our kids. It is not an easy job but it is very fulfilling for us to see our kids grow up well. Our motherly love and concern makes them ready to face the real world as they strive to turn their dreams into reality. We play a big role in making that happen. To my fellow mothers and to all who provide the selfless and nurturing love given by a mother to others, Happy Mothers’ Day and may we continue to spread the love and happiness.
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BOARD MEMBER DOROTHY PAES
Province of Iloilo
BM Dorothy Paes and daughter Shandy
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
As a public servant, we can’t refrain from the heavy workload which makes us more preoccupied. As much as possible I bond with my daughter every time we get a free time. A simple drive-thru after school and a little chika with her is one of our favorite bonding moments together.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with them?
Despite the busy life at work, one of our favorite bonds together is travel. We both love beautiful sceneries and take pictures of new places. The moment is still vivid in my mind when we went to a new place and we just had fun together enjoying each other’s company.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
My message to all the moms out there is to cherish each moment with your children. They are living their youth once in their life so cherish it with them and make golden memories as much as possible. As they say, “You only live once.”
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MAYOR LIECEL MONDEJAR-SEVILLE
New Lucena, Iloilo
Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville and husband Rico and children Ela and Jose Carlos
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
I schedule my appointments and activities to ensure I can spend time with them.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with them?
When we travel and have our long drive, visiting local places and eating meals together.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
Time runs so fast as well as the growth of our children. So have quality time with them and create happy memories in every milestone of your child. Remember we only have moments in this world so cherish every moment.
REP. JULIENNE BARONDA
Lone District of Iloilo City
Cong. Julienne Baronda with daughter Nana
Q: Being an elected government official, how do you manage your time with your children?
My daughter Nana understands that public service is a 24/7 commitment, and I am blessed that she supports the work that I do. But I also know how important spending time with her is and how it affects her growth.
For this, Nana and I mutually agree on our “date” days. It changes weekly, depending on the load of my office work and her school work. Once we decide on a time and day, we both make sure that we complete all our responsibilities. Our mom-daughter dates have become some sort of motivation for us to complete our tasks so we can spend time with each other.
It may not be ideal for others, but I’m thankful that I can both serve the people and be a mom to Nana.
Q: What is your most beautiful bonding moment with your daughter?
This question is tough, since there are so many. (Haha…) But I treasure our movie nights the most. We both like how laidback our movie nights are. We don our most comfortable pajamas, switch off the lights, start the movie, and we both get lost in the art of visual story telling.
And when the credits roll, we discuss our thoughts on the film. I love this part the most since this is one of the ways I get to see what goes on in the head of my daughter. Her reflection of the movie gives me a better idea of what she values and what she observes. In this moment, I see her grow before my very eyes. It is beautiful, really. Though it may seem simple to others, this experience gives me this warm feeling of profound joy and happiness.
Q: What is your message to all Moms?
I have much respect for my fellow mothers, more especially single moms. Motherhood can be challenging and frustrating at times, but it is always fulfilling. I salute you for always prioritizing the members of your family, but I also encourage you to take care of yourself. We cannot give what we do not have, and if we have exhausted ourselves, our loved ones feel it, too.
Thank you for being selfless. Although sometimes left unsaid, I’m confident that our families appreciate all that we do. You are loved!
