Growing up, I always have this sense that a mother's love is strong. We all know that moms are the best at anything that they do, and the feeling is more profound now that I am a mother. But having a Filipino Mom is another level of motherhood and parenting. These are the reasons why I love, fear and revere my mother.

1. Filipino moms love to cook and feed other people

I know it is common to boast about your moms cooking but the truth is my mom willingly cooks on demand. When you say that you are hungry to my mom, she will treat you like you are malnourished. I don't even think Filipino moms will let you die of starvation as a punishment. She will find any perishable food in your pantry and turn it into a feast. Even my friends that come to the house who have already eaten are forced to eat because of her persistence.

2. Filipino moms are loud

I always warn my friends when they come to our house that if you hear my mom talking in her language, she is not mad. It is even more of a shock if my mom invites her friends to our house. guess any Filipino kid is immune to the way Filipino moms talk but for anyone not accustomed to the near-deafening experience or fear from the way they talk knows the feeling. I believe Filipino moms are passionate and that their ideas and emotions can sometimes translate into their voice levels.

3. Filipino moms are sarcastic and funny

My mom always knows how to make me laugh even at the hardest moments. She is my favorite comedian and at the same time her sarcasm can shut you down. I can’t even get mad at my mom if she jokes at my OOTD or laughs at my mistakes. They have this way of endearment through jokes. You know you are the favorite child if she jokes around you or jokes at you. It is really hard to explain but what I have learned from her is life is that there are people around the world that are suffering and that I should be grateful that I am alive. A little smile or laughter doesn’t cause anything, but it can magnify your soul.

4. Angry Filipino moms are scary

There is one thing that every Filipino kid that will quickly learn to never get your mother mad. This is probably the worst thing you can do besides eating the last piece of food on the table. You will learn to dodge slippers, shoes and belts and they are not ashamed to do this in public. The wrath they bring when you upset them is unimaginable and thinking about it just gave me goosebumps.

5. Filipino Moms are the CIA of your family

I have always wondered how my mom knows any news about this family member whom I have not seen for years. I sometimes think they are the official CIA of my family because every pregnancy, marriage or divorce of any family member they have intel. It is even worst when an event happens to you and you just can't even lie about it. They are very good at finding resources. I have always found it more intrusive than Facebooks privacy agreements because they are just so good at it. Even before social media, I am surprised of the accuracy of events that it is hard to tell if its fake news. And for some reason, I am very proud of this.

6. Family is everything to Filipino moms

My mom has always told us that you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. Your friends will come and go but your family will always be there for you. Family first and everyone comes second. In every Filipino family, the pillar of their home is their mother. My mom has brought our family together in our darkest moments and it is her that I draw my strength in the toughest moments of my life.

One thing I know for sure is that a mother’s love for her child is stronger than any other bond. The capacity of her love is deeper than anyone can imagine.

I have seen all the sacrifices that my mother has done for us and the pain that she endured along the way. Her heart holds no boundaries even at times when I am the cause of her pain. She may not think that I notice but our connection is eternal. She gave me life and the unconditional love she gives has always been constant.

For that, I am forever indebted to you for your love and care. I am proud to have a Filipino mom and there is no one better than you Ma. Happiest of birthday and I love you to the moon and back. Mwah, mwah, tsup, tsup!