MOTHERHOOD is the most wonderful, albeit exhausting experience in a woman's life. It’s never easy to be a mom, there's the pain, the tears, the joy and the triumph.
For these awesome women who performed the miracle of birth, a single special day is set aside to pay tribute and honor them for their everlasting tender, love and care.
The Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), a mother support group established by Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño, organized a three-day celebration for moms and the mother of all mothers: Mother Earth.
“We want to dedicate a special day for moms and Mother Earth, kay our moms and Mother Earth give life to us all,” Casiño said.
In partnership with Centrio Ayala Mall, the Modern Nanays of Mindanao started the celebration with a three-day fair of eco-friendly products on Friday, May 10.
Dubbed Lunhaw Gawi (Green Habit), the fair was participated by 20 “mom-trepreneurs” and businesses from Cagayan de Oro, namely: Zero Waste Grocery, BumBum Shop, 180 Degrees Celsius by Josephine's, Sabon Lokal, Sun and Blooms, Oh My Organic, Katha Aromatics, Tempra, Lurshoppe, Cakeistry, Blessed Potions, The Bamboo PH, Chorizo de Cebu, Tableya ni Mommy Sha, Chel's Pastry, among others.
“We have green eco-friendly nga mga options nga pwede nimo to start your zero waste lifestyle. Naa pud tay mga hand-made treats for moms. We have flowers, we have cakes,” Casiño said.
On the second day, Casiño launched Alima (bisaya word that means to nurture, foster or support), a mother support center that offers services and products that help moms give their little ones the best start in life.
“It’s a place of solace for mothers who are overwhelmed with motherhood. This will be the first place that will offer moms the rest and care that they need and deserve while juggling all the things that is concerned with motherhood,” Casiño said.
And on the special day, May 12, a Harana Kay Ina was organized, an event wherein songs dedicated to all mothers and the Mother Earth were played.
“Ako, nobody really does Mother's Day for me. So it’s better to make sure that there's a place for people to come by and remember their mothers,” Casiño said.
“But always know that if dili man ka maka-receive, ikaw na lang ang mag give. And that's what I'm doing,” she added.