Mother, I Wish You Were Here Today

My mother Pins Me the Ribbon of Recognition

I remember one special occasion with my beloved mother 46 years ago when she attended my elementary graduation or closing exercises sometime in 1966. She proudly pinned me the ribbon of recognition as the outstanding grade 6 pupil in Industrial Arts.

Then after the ceremonies, she handed me a graduation present given by Manong Cesar, one of our  late eldest brothers and it was Inday Naiding (Zenaida Iligan), my first cousin, the niece of my mother whom I remember greeted me as an A-I pupil when I paid a visit to her house a day after our graduation.

Lorenza Iligan-Camporazo, my mother was really very proud of me for such achievement I had received. I know how happy she was at that time.

Sweet Loving Memories with Mother

What I am today is the product of her efforts to be what I am, of course. How I wish she could be here today. Anyway, what I have to do is to reminisce Nanay's sweet loving memories with me when she's still living. Nanay has taught me something which I've  treasured so much as long as I live or even in after life.

After receiving my diploma

She's a Mathematician

She's a good mathematician. I remember when I was doing my assignment in math in Grade V and kept on memorizing in rote the different multiplication table. She told, "Why bother memorizing those multiplication table, when you could do it through addition." I was surprised and I didn't have any idea that it could be possible. She taught me the short-cut of doing it and I applied it. Later I loved to do it and math became my favorite subject which before I hated so much.

She's a Singer

Another thing she influenced me was about music. My mother had a good voice. But I seldom heard her singing. One afternoon, I was singing a Visayan folksong, "Dandansoy" which I learned from my neighbor, with a broken lyrics. She joined with me in singing with the entire song. Then she taught me other Ilonggo songs like "Laylay sa Payag", "Tuburan", "Rosing", "Walay Angay", and "Ili-ili Tulog Anay".

No wonder why Manong Jaime, our eldest brother was a good operatic singer. He used to sing the songs of the Great Caruso, Mario Lanza like "Granada", "Be My Love", and "Because" He's always joining in any amateur singing contest every fiesta and also to our neighboring towns, and he won fabulous cash prizes.

She's Thoughtful and Caring

One occasion I noticed that while I was away from home for scouting encampment somewhere in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, upon arriving home, I saw her lying on the mat on the floor. I asked her, "Nanay, na anu ka?" (Mother, what happened to you?" "Nagamasakit ako, Pero ayo na ako," (I'm sick, But I'm well now.), she replied. The same had happened in several out-of-hometown activities I participated in. Every time I went home I noticed her always got sick. I pitied her. She's affected when I'm away from her. I know how much my mother felt about me every time when I'm not around for quite sometime for I was the youngest of her six children.

She's Practical

Another situation I recall when I informed her that I'm going to get married at the age of 21. I was still studying in college at the moment. Well, she just simply asked me, "Do you love that girl?" I was perplexed and asked myself, "Is it really love? Or just an infatuation?" "Well, she said, go ahead."

She's Respectful and Considerate

And the last question I remember to ask her was to permit me to join or be baptized with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "'Nay mapabunyag ako sa Mormons?" (Mother, I want to be baptized with the Mormons?" Again she replied simply, "Daw wala man ako nakakita sang sala o malain sina nga simbahan, ngaa indi ka magpabunyag?" (I haven't seen anything wrong with that Church, why not go on to be baptized?" My late father who was just around didn't react. You know my father was very supportive with my mother's decision. They're supporting each other.

These are simple memories I ever have with my dear mother, Lorenza.

Followed is a "Mother's Song" popularized by Nora Aunor, my contemporary and favorite singer, that every time I hear it, my good old, loving memories with my beloved mother become alive.


MOTHER SONG

I once had a dear called, mother
Who loves me tenderly.
For when I was a baby
She took good care of me.

One night as I lay down sleeping
My sister by my side.
I heard a voice from heaven
Telling my mother died.

And when I woke up in the morning
I found my dream come true.
For the angels took my mother
And took her to sky so blue.

(narration)

Dear mother,
Was it only yesterday?
Yes, it must have been.
For I could still feel the gentle touch of your fingers,
Each night as you round them through my ear
As you put me to bed.
The magic in your lips whenever you kiss my pains and tears away
The tenderness of your voice so soothing, understanding
With these thoughts, mother,
I wish you were still here with me today.

So children obey your mother.
Obey them faithfully.
For if you lose your mother,
You've lost the best of all.

(Our youngest son, Toto Jun transcribed these lyrics from the YouTube.)