mymomrocks

And the winners are...

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:14:00 +0000

It was very hard for us to choose our winners as all the entries were very very good. We were very pleased to read what all of you had to say. It's no doubt that for many young people believe their moms play an essential role in developing their understanding of human dignity. And she does it in a way that is unique to a mother.

With much deliberation, the WYAAP Staff together with the Culture Commitee declare the following entries to be the winners, based purely on the story in their essays:

FIRST PRIZE:
Aliah Dimaporo

SECOND PRIZE:
Gail Pelayo

THIRD PRIZE:
Haizell Anore

Congratulations to all the winners!
The staff will be in touch with you shortly.

Why We Think Moms Rock

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:08:00 +0000

World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific (WYAAP) loves moms! Because we believe that the family is the fundamental unit of society, and the person’s first school of life and love. It is in the family that we first experience our human dignity. And we know that our moms play a big role and making our families what it is today.

Within the family children first come to understand their own intrinsic and inviolable human dignity. Through their complementary roles, mother and father, equal in dignity, show their children that the freedom of the human person is most fully and rightly lived in the gift of self. [Declaration on the Family]

So today, on Mother’s Day, we’d like to give a tribute to mothers. Here is a gallery of photos and essays submitted by various young people who answered our call to shout out to the world that they think their moms rock (and why)!

There are two ways to view our collection. First, you can scroll down and view them as individual blog entries. Or secondly, you can view them in album format. To view the album, click here.

We hope you enjoy reading through the entries. And if ever you feel inspired to send in your own, please do! It’s never too late You may no longer be eligible to win prizes, but you can still join the rest of these young people in telling the world about how cool your mom is! Just email a photo of your mom (or the both of you together!) with a 25–word (max) paragraph about why she rocks to wyaap.contests@gmail.com

Check back with us later today to find out who gave the top 3 entries!

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone’s mom!

- From the WYAAP Culture Commitee

My Mom Rocks (by Emily Dy)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:35:00 +0000

The principle of Human Dignity is that it is intrinsic, inviolable and inalienable. A lot of big words, right? And yet the first time I read them in the World Youth Alliance brochure, I knew exactly what they meant in real world terms. And all this just from the childhood my mother chose to give me. Really!

I will admit that growing up, I was the naughty little girl. And yet, my mom has always loved me despite the many squabbles, tantrums and personal mistakes. Everynight she would tuck me in, and everyday she would wake me up, ask me if I was hungry, check if I had everything I needed... no matter how rotten I was (as little girls can get! especially an "only girl" and "daddy's girl") the day before. Yes, your dignity as a person is built in, it can never be taken away - even if you chose not to be naughty or made some boo-boos. And who else can show you that, as in REALLY show you that, other than a mother who chooses to love you, everyday, no matter what?

And this love was not just limited to me. I never recalled a time in my childhood, or even until now, when my mother was not involved in a sort of charitable cause or ministry. If she was not out giving free dental check ups at old folk's homes and orphanages, she was teaching at poor parishes or even DSWD halfway homes for abused women. It was like she had a built in understanding that every person had human dignity, and thus deserved to live in a dignified way (without even going through WYA's certified training program! heheh).

So one project at a time, she sought out those who have forgotten the fact that they were still dignified beings, and worked to help them regain this sense of self-worth, and helped them get ready to move on to a better life. She started at home with me and my siblings, then shared the same love with all our household helpers, and then eventually with the rest of the community.

My mom rocks not only because she's helped so many people, but most especially because those that she helps are eventually inspired to start doing good, too.

Mommy Rocks (by Renalinda Tan)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:04:00 +0000

If you were to ask me why my mom rocks the most aside from having a great sense of fashion, It is not because she’s part of a very famous rock band but simply because she loves me. When I was a baby even without a rocking chair my mom would rock her whole body to help me go to sleep so I would feel safe and warm.

Even though at times work kept her busy, when it comes to my needs especially my health, she’s my doctor. For her, Family comes first before work.

In my second year in high school we had a project wherein we are to bring 6 pictures of people whom we think portray Jesus as a person. Bringing my mom’s photo that time, I would decide if she is Jesus as Lord, Son of God, Prophet, Priest, King, or Christ. After a few times of thinking, I placed her photo beside the word Christ. Why Christ? Because she has always sacrificed her life for me to show me a world full of joy and hope like Jesus did through the cross. She accepted me despite my imperfections and never gave up on me when I experience failures. Her faith is as strong as a rock and from then on, she made me realize how important God is in my life. Hence, She is a model not only for clothes but also a role model for others.

What She Shows is Real (by Kurt Patrick L. Enriquez)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:01:00 +0000

My mom does not rock at all. She is not a superstar nor is she not an international icon. We do not travel nor go out often just to explore new places. She gives allowance that is just right for my everyday expenses. However, these are also the same reasons why I am so proud to be her son. I have learned that it is not in traveling that my experiences will widen. Each day is a new day and so are the things I see and people I encounter each day. Furthermore, I have been able to maximize any amount she gives because she was successful in imparting to me the value of the hard-earned money she puts in my account.
My mother is not perfect. She sometimes nags about the same issues over and over again. In addition, she sometimes does not have time for us because there are a lot of things to do in her jewelry store. But I love her just for the fact that she is my mother and she has been with me all through out my life. I am contented with who she is and how she acts. My mother may not be ideal but I know that what she shows is real.

My Mom Rocks (by Joshua Tan)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

My mom is one of the greatest characters in my life. She's the one person keeping me sane at home. She always understands where I'm coming from and tries to help me get through everything that bothers me. My mom is also one of the most generous people in the world. Not only does she give her all for us two brothers, she tries to help everyone else she can in her own ways. She's taught me to be as kind and caring as herself.

She's a true testament to human dignity because she always acknowledges the importance of family. She always reiterates the kind of brother-relation I should have with my brother. Whenever I think of something, I must always take my brother into consideration and try to include him. This is what she's teaching. She pushes us to be more together with each other because we can never change the fact that we're brothers and that we cant grow without each other. She says that whenever the other is in need, we must never hesitate to help. She's taught me human dignity even before I knew what dignity means.

My mom continues to be the witty and caring mother she's always been. Her name is Chris, and I love her.

Ten Reasons MY.MOM.ROCKS (by Aliah Dimaporo)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:58:00 +0000

How My Mom Restored My Dignity (by Haizell Anore)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:55:00 +0000

I have always been vocal about how I consider my Mom as my bestfriend. I have told her everything about myself – my problems, my insecurities, my dreams, my crushes, probably everything in my life. She has supported me in every step of my growth and development. When she discovered of my interests in studying, she bought a complete set of encyclopedia out of our tight budget. She pursued my interests and I entered school at the age of two as saling pusa. Starting schooling in a private Montessori, it was hard for me to adjust to a public school when we had to transfer because of a financial crisis. I was bullied not only by my classmates, but also by their parents and even the teachers. I was not allowed to take a reading test and they sent me directly to section 8, the second lowest section in first grade. My Mom immediately talked with the teacher. She would stay from the moment she took me to school until she picked me up in the afternoon. She would bring lunch to school and eat together in a picnic style. I eventually met good kids who until now are my friends. I adjusted well in my teenage years, achieving both in academic, sports and having good sets of friends. I graduated valedictorian in elementary, salutatorian in a science high school and currently in senior year of BS/MS Chemistry in Ateneo de Manila University as a scholar. She is still my bestfirend.

My Mom Rocks (by April Margaret Cuenca)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:53:00 +0000

“My mama always told me that ‘Life is like a box of chocolates.” Well, my mama made me watch the movie that said that “Life is like a box of chocolates.” My mama always had her own way of helping me learn things about life. She never forced me to do this and to do that. She just always told me what would be probably be good and I believed her. Minimal pressure to excel. And I love her for that.

As a kid, my mom always let me experience life as freely as it could be helped. I could decide when to eat, when to sleep, what I wanted to do, and who I wanted to be with. She rarely stood in the way and showed her support for as long as she could help it. You could probably say that my mom spoiled me with freedom. I would admit to it.

However, more than that, she taught me more about the possibilities that life could hold without telling me so. My mother always let me experience life in a way that few of my peers could even begin to fathom. My mother didn’t teach me about life by telling me that it was a box of chocolates, she showed me what life could offer early, and showed me what life without those gifts would be later on.

*the picture attached is of my mom and my newest baby brother, Zac. :)

My Mom Rocks (by Andrea Juan)

mymomrocks — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:51:00 +0000

What makes my relationship with my mother different is that we have to fit all our drama- the fights, happy and sad moments - into the two weeks in a year that we are physically with each other- if we’re lucky, it can span up to two months but that rarely happens. As a child, I had more freedom than most children my age did. I believe that my freedom stemed from the fact that my mom allows me and trusts me enough to make my own mistakes and learn from them. She sees the importance in falling down and learning to stand up on your own. My mom has always been my idol; she has exuded strength even in the midst of death, pain, separation and loneliness. This is why I believe that contrary to common misconception, a woman should be strong and decisive. She taught me that no matter how huge an obstacle might seem, if I’m passionate enough about something then I can and will get through all the hurdles which I will encounter. This gave me the insight that I am just as good as anyone else, no matter how much smarter, or richer or more influential their families are. She taught me that if work hard enough, if I earn and deserve something, then I’ll get it. It is through her that I realized how unique I am and how I can use this to be the person I want to be.