We asked 5 empowering women to talk about the reality of motherhood and the message that they want their children to never forget.
Related: Here’s The Matching Mother-Daughter Gift You Both Deserve
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be,” sings a mother in Love Your Forever by Robert Munsch. The children’s book tells a simple story, a son whose mom sings him to sleep with their special lullaby—even after he’s married, moved out, and has kids of his own. This timeless story of a mother’s constant and enduring love for her child puts into words the emotions that all mothers feel. Whether their child is a baby, toddler, teenager, or a grown-up, there’s not a day that goes by that she won’t be there by your side to love you to the fullest.
So this Mother’s Day, we talked to five empowering moms who prove that through it all, a mother’s love never fades. These businesswomen, fashion icons and hands-on moms embody both sides of motherhood. Authentic and real, they’re not afraid to talk about the sacrifices mothers make while sharing how even the simplest moments make everything worth it.
Camille Co-Koro
Influencer and entrepreneur, Camille Co-Koro became a mom at the peak of another quarantine. Despite the stress of the pandemic and her husband Joni Koro not being allowed in the delivery room because of safety protocols, Camille delivered a beautiful baby girl Sienna Elea Co Koro, last March 23.
Dear Sienna,
You are loved just the way you are and don’t ever let the world tell you otherwise.
Motherly Advice:
Always remember to treat people with kindness and respect.
Favorite Memory:
Nothing beats the first we met Sienna, the day she made us parents.
Jessica Kienle Maxwell
Jessica Kienle Maxwell is a thriving woman both in motherhood and her passions. While parenting her two children, she also heads the creative department of Philux, a home-grown furniture store that is one of Philippines’ largest family-owned businesses. With beauty, talent, and most of all heart, these make her the glowing mom she is.
Dear Layla and Luca,
You are unconditionally, eternally, whole-heartedly loved. Never ever forget that.
Motherly Advice:
Always be kind. Kind to yourself, kind to others, and kind to our planet.
Favorite Memory:
Bringing home my daughter Layla from the hospital, my 3-year-old son Luca welcomed her warmly with a sweet kiss on the forehead and said, “Come inside our house baby sister!” and our hearts immediately melted.
Sheila Romero
Raising five children while being the Vice Chairman of AirAsia Philippines is no easy feat, but Sheila Romero does it all with utmost grace. “It’s the best role and honor that God gave me,” she says. Strong-willed and faithful, Romero shows that a mom can be successful in her career and advocacies while still making her children a top priority.
Dear Milka, Miguel, Mandy, Santi, and Steff,
You are the reasons why I want to be the best version of myself.
Motherly Advice:
There are many life lessons that I have been consistently teaching my older children and the most important is that a life with Jesus is the true source of our happiness. Our faith is the key to overcoming whatever life throws us. With Him, we can conquer anything. He is a promise giver and a promise keeper.
Favorite Memory:
I will never forget the sleepless nights, their first words, the first time they stood and crawled, the first day of school, the happiness and fights tutoring each one of them….well, I still have a 5-year-old so the last two have not happened yet. But at this age, teaching Kumon to Steff, how to bike, read, add and subtract, and answering all of his why’s and how’s still bring joy to me like it’s the first time.
Pinky Tobiano
Moms are superwomen and CEO Chemist Pinky Tobiano is indeed one of them. As a single mom who raised her two children while making a name for herself in the male-dominated STEM industry, Tobiano is unafraid about the struggles of motherhood. “I needed to work very hard that there were times I missed important school occasions, but this never stop me from loving them very much,” she shares. She built Progressive Labs after giving birth to her eldest daughter and Qualibet Testing Lab for her advocacy as a cancer survivor.
Dear Pianne and Karrel,
You are the reason why I live and work hard. You are my inspiration.
Motherly Advice:
Always center our lives on God because He is our anchor. Love and support each other through every endeavor.
Favorite Memory:
When I was battling the big C, my 2 children stood beside me every step of my battle and when they say “we love you Mommy, you can do it because Papa Jesus is always there for us”, I melt in tears knowing how strong my children are. I am very proud of my kids. They are my best gifts in life.
Vanessa Matsunaga-Sunga
Embodying a sense of wisdom even at an early age, it’s only expected that Vanessa Matsunaga-Sunga only grew in confidence when she entered motherhood. “We find strength and reason to our existence because of the love we have for our family,” she says. With her captivating looks coupled with a loving personality, the Japanese-Brazilian model never fails to show the beauty of motherhood.
Dear Bella and David,
Mommy loves you so much. Thank you for being my inspiration to become better and for brightening up my days. You are my sunshine!
Motherly Advice:
Be kind in everything you do, be fair and honest, and treat everyone with respect and love.
Favorite Memory:
I oftentimes go back to the videos of when David was a newborn just to watch my daughter’s sweet reaction when she first held him and how he seemed to recognize her voice. It’s hard to name one memory because my kids are constantly enriching our lives just by being their innocent and funny selves.
