Have you ever really loved a woman?

They say mothers are the most understanding people of all. I agree. That’s why I think its okay to post this late “Happy mother’s day!” greeting to all mothers out there, especially to my friends. I don’t want to miss out a name so omit the names; you know who you are anyways. And because blood is thicker than water, I started my mother’s day roll call with an overseas call to the Philippines as early as Friday to greet my Mama and then went on calling across the US to reach a couple of moms starting with my thoughtful mother in-law.

I guess all mothers are “cool” in their own rights and I salute each and every woman for bearing, surviving, and continuously loving this very important role. They deserve to be treated special and pampered, for the very least, a day in a year.

On my first mother’s day in this country four years ago, not only I was blessed and given a long stem rose by the parish priest during the mass but I also received a nice crucifix for having the youngest child in the church that day. From then on, I am always looking forward to attending the mass on mother’s day, to receive the blessing with matching long-stem rose.

When I came to work this Monday, some officemates asked how was my mother’s day. This uniform response I gave, “I had a very good mother’s day!” It was indeed worth the sunburns. Just sitting there and watching the tide relieved me of the accumulated pressures I had the past days. Although feasting on Thai foods, El Pollo Loco’s roasted chicken kicked me off-the-track my supposedly diet, it was still fun. Nothing compares with doing the things you enjoy doing, with people you love. And although I lost the short run race to Abraham and Lemuel, the laughs can’t be bought.

Before sunset, we packed up and headed to my friend Lorie’s house, where the fun continued, more talking…more food. The kids always loved going there because not only they are so comfortable with Nanay (Tagalog term for mother – is how we call Lorie’s mom) they also loved her cooking so much. Off with some take out food, we brought along the fun and laughter back to LA. Indeed, it was a very good day.

And don’t I deserve to have some fun after being debilitated when Chris Daughtry was booted-off from American Idol last week? Oh my, what happened? Why did he get the lowest number of votes? Have we lost our concept of quality? He could have been the best American Idol as obviously he is the best singer of the competition, excellent tone quality with built in vibrato combined with outstanding singing artifice. His going home too soon obliterated the essence of the show – to find a new idol – not anymore. All that remained of the show is a big lacunae – the real idol is out.

Why Chris Daughtry on my mother’s day entry? No offense to Bryan Adams, but I loved Chris’ rendition of Have you ever really loved a woman better. When he sung it on Idol, I felt he is serenading me, it was perfect! Like a scene from a romantic movie, more like Romeo and his sonnets to Juliet. Very appropriate for husbands to sing for their wives – more so, if you have been married for quite some time. A song very appropriate to sing for mothers who does all the good things for people she loves, who serves with pleasure, loves unconditionally and yet sometimes neglected by those around her. (I guess, I belong to the few lucky ones who are pampered and treated well, as Brack and the kids loved to spoil me, which I really appreciate.)

And so Dear Mothers, with my prodigious admiration…this song goes for you.

When you love a woman
you tell her that she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that you'll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?

You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin' good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...