Hearts Full, Cups Filled at the Smart Parenting Mother's Day Fair

With the care and thought poured in by the Smart Parenting and Summit Media teams, the first—and largest—Smart Parenting Mother's Day Fair became a heartwarming celebration of moms from all over the Philippines. Overflowing with love, gratitude, and connection, the event took the Mother's Day experience to a whole new level.

What went down at the Smart Parenting Village Mother's Day Fair 2025

From the welcoming ambiance to fun-filled booths and generous freebies for moms and their families, the Smart Parenting Mother's Day Fair was a full-day celebration of all things motherhood.

One of the highlights was the fireside chat that featured celebrity moms and Smart Parenting cover stars Camille Prats-Yambao and Iya Villania-Arellano, alongside renowned psychologist and Smart Parenting Board of Experts Member Dr. Michele Alignay, RPsy, RGC, on how motherhood enabled them to become the best version of themselves.

Smart Parenting Editor-in-Chief Ronna Capili Bonifacio, who was also part of the panel, shared the story behind the event's theme and key message, "Motherhood Made Me Better."

"I was so inspired by everybody in the Smart Parenting Village, the team at Smart Parenting, all the moms I work with. I would see that even if we are challenged by motherhood, we're still all pushing ourselves to achieve new milestones, to challenge ourselves," said Ronna, a mom of three.

Motherhood Made Me Better: Insights from the Panel

Iya Villania-Arellano, mom of five

"Motherhood has made me better because it was through motherhood that I also started growing in faith, and in trusting in God more. I know that definitely has made me better because it's really just by His grace. You ask me how with five? It's by God's grace."

Iya shared how caring for five children pushed her to surrender control and grow in faith. "With one child, medyo kaya mo pang tutukan eh. 'Pag lima, isa ka lang 'di ba? Mahina ang kalaban. So 'pag ganun talagang, 'Lord, kayo na po ang bahala.' When you realize how much is out of your hands and how much is in God's hands, that's really when you grow."

She also recounted a moment with her fifth child, Anya Love, when exhaustion was replaced by overwhelming gratitude.

"You don't have to be happy in that moment, but you can still be grateful. Even if I’m struggling with sore nipples and sleepless nights, it's a blessing to be here. I know so many women who would love to be in this position."

Camille Prats-Yambao, mom of four

For Camille, motherhood brought a deeper sense of purpose and joy.

"When I was single, it's all about yourself. And I realized there's really not much joy in that, like I had all the time in the world, wala kang iniiintindi, puro sarili mo lang. But by having children, it somehow encourages you to be selfless."

Like her friend and former co-host Iya, she emphasized how motherhood pushes you to grow mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

"With that, mas na-appreciate mo yung life. Mas naa-appreciate mo yung maliliit na bagay rather than the negative things that surround this world."

Never take away your career or your mission, because that's what makes you you—even if you have kids. If you are fulfilled in your mission, your purpose, nahanap mo 'yun, you'll be a better mom because you're not going to regret doing what you love and doing, and your kids will see that. —Dr. Michele Alignay

Camille got real and said that, like any other mom, she also feels overwhelmed with everything she needs to do for herself and her family. "When that happens, I just breathe. One thing that I don't ever forget is I need to have at least 15 to 30 minutes of my quiet time in the morning. By doing that, I was able to complete my needs first, before giving it to my children and my family."

Camille also noted how children reflect what they learn from us.

"The fruit of whatever it is that we are trying to teach our children, lumalabas 'yun sa pag-uugali nila. So that's when you know, as Mars Iya said na, 'Uy, may ginagawa pala akong tama,' kasi sila yung reflection. 'Yun yung fruit ng tinuturo natin sa kanila."

Dr. Michele Alignay, mom of two

A psychologist and mom, Dr. Alignay shared how motherhood taught her resilience and balance.

"When I was taking my post-doctorate, I had grade schoolers. I would wake up 3 or 4 AM just to write my papers. Why? Because I have this, I don't want my graduate school to take my time away from them. They have kiddie parties, school programs, and activities. So for me, that actually helped me stretch. It's an inner resilience that I'm growing."

She shared that motherhood tested and grew her time management, self-discipline, and intentionality in caring for herself.

"It's never a competition of career because we heard a lot na 'pag may career ka, you cannot be a good mom. No, you are a good mom because you also have yourself. I have a career, I also have a ministry that I lead. So kasama 'yun lahat. Hindi 'yan nahihiwalay. It makes us better."

Dr. Alignay shared that she studied Masters in Family Psychology where she learned about stages of development. "I would always tell myself that this is a stage, this is just a season. So it's packaged with the difficulties and challenges but next season will be different. When you have that mindset, that you enjoy the season that you are in, tama kayo. It's not about happiness but it's the fulfillment that you get, both the good and the bad, and they're always packaged together."

As a family expert, Dr. Alignay admits she is no expert in parenting. When asked for her advice to moms who are in the thick of parenting.

My mom said, "Never take away your career or your mission, because that's what makes you you—even if you have kids. If you are fulfilled in your mission, your purpose, nahanap mo 'yun, you'll be a better mom because you're not going to regret doing what you love and doing, and your kids will see that."

Celebrating the Smart Parenting Village mothers

The success of the Smart Parenting Mother's Day Fair wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners, who made moms feel extra special throughout the day.

The Smart Parenting Mother's Day Fair was more than just an event—it was a heartfelt celebration of motherhood in all its realities and joy. Through powerful conversations and shared experiences, it reminded every mom that while the journey isn't always easy, it is deeply rewarding. Most of all, motherhood doesn't just change us—it makes us better.

From all of us at the Smart Parenting team, we hope we filled your cups with love, inspiration, and joy. Until next time, moms!

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