“A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” - Marion C. Garretty
This beautiful Mother’s Day quote is aptly offered to one amazing supermom whom I have had the amazing opportunity to meet up close and personal. Happy Mother’s Day to you, my dearest Tita Chally, Rosalie Gentugaya Belen.
Many years ago, she reached out to us at Padre Pio Home. It was the birthday of her dearest bunso, Jasmine. The whole family wanted to bond with our children at home. They wanted to bring birthday cheer, food, love, and games. Of course, Sr. Angel and Sr. Dom readily said yes.
And they came on May 27, 2022, with the entire Team Belen family in full presence. Their love and thoughtfulness to us in Padre Pio were deeply felt by all of us, especially our kids.
We just got out of the pandemic. The kids longed for motherly love and family. Team Belen showed up that day. I was moved to deep gratitude for their humility and simplicity. They mirrored Christ’s love and compassion to me since that day I met them.
I wish to publicly honor Tita Chally for her love and care for us at Padre Pio Home. I wish to glorify the Lord for allowing our paths to cross through Padre Pio. Fast forward to 2025, we meet again for the 16th birthday of her youngest and unica hija Jasmine last April 25, 2025. I was tasked to lead the opening prayer. It was held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.
It was a wonderful reunion of family, teachers from across all units of the Ateneo de Davao, classmates of Jasmine, friends, and batchmates. It was such a great honor to be part of such a loving and grateful circle.
I prayed earnestly to the good Lord to guide me as I lovingly put to words what the event was for that night in DavCon. It was a triple celebration. It was a celebration of family love of Team Belen, of the extraordinary achievements of dear Jasmine on her amazing list of domestic and international awards for her Grade 10 moving up, and of honoring the many people sharing life and shaping the life of Jasmine as she prepares to turn 16 this May 2025.
I must admit, out of the many happy birthday parties I have ever attended, this was one for the heart. I only have one woman in mind to honor for such splendid detail — from the customized birthday loot bags to the most heartfelt honoring of all of Jasmine’s previous
moderators since Kinder. That woman is Tita Chally, the mother of the celebrant. I like her, she is very down-to-earth. She is definitely very frank like me. I like her depth. I love her eye for detail and, most of all, I love her big heart.
As I was going over all of Jasmine’s achievements here and abroad through the years, I only had one question. Who raised this amazing 16-year-old teener who has graced the halls of Addu JHS and brought so much joy and honor to the JHS? Who could have propelled Jasmine to reach these amazing heights in just 16 years?
I have had many occasions to observe Jasmine from afar, and I truly appreciate how humble and grounded she is, considering her stature and achievements. And then I came across this quotation from Marion Garretty – “A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” And there it is. She is the one. She is the answer to my heartfelt question.
Thank you, Tita Chally, for raising Jasmine very well. Your unconditional love and support to Jasmine were deeply felt by Team Bitang, and we have witnessed how such motherly love and care have a powerful impact on a child like Jasmine. And so I shall not enumerate here all of Jasmine’s awards. Although as a teacher, I am truly amazed at how a young lady holds such a great gift of wisdom and grit, and extraordinary intelligence.
For Tita Chally, thank you so much for being you. Thank you for your love and dedication as a mother to your children. Thank you for such love and heart. You are truly the heart behind Jasmine’s amazing gift. You are the heart of your home. You are the heart of the Team Belen.
I am one blessed human being to have met you and interacted with you with such warmth and depth, always in love and kindness. I know that you have had a taste of life’s tribulations, but I was always sure of one thing – God’s grace shall and will continue to sustain you
There are only a few on my list who teach and edify me on true and sincere self-donation and generosity. You are one of those, Tita Chally. Declaring blessing upon blessing to pour unto Team Belen. Thank you for blessing the world with your big heart. Thank you for sharing Jasmine with us at Padre Pio Home. Thank you for moulding her in humility and simplicity. Such a breath of fresh air for a world in need of love and kindness on a daily basis.
Happy Mother’s Day, Tita Chally! We love you! – From Team Bitang