EXCLUSIVE: Dimples Romana’s Letters To Her Children—My Worth As A Mother Was Always Up To You

In celebration of Smart Parenting’s 20th anniversary and Dimples Romana and family’s cover story, we asked the celebrity mom of three to write letters to her children. Below are her heartfelt messages to her kids Callie (19 years old), Alonzo (8 years old), and Elio (one year old).

My dear first teacher Amanda,

Nineteen. This is your age at the moment, also the same age I was when I had you. I didn’t exactly get a lot of love as you know, when I had you early. We kept no secrets from you. But if I listened to every doubtful, judgmental comment made towards me, every hurtful word, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far.

For your tiny hands touched my heart and made it able to love and forgive. And heal. Over and over again. 

Your big hazel eyes looked at me like I was a superhero, you renewed my fighting spirit every day and made me worthy to be somebody who would raise a little someone like you. 

You taught me that love can be patient. And that if only I would listen to the words you weren’t saying, I’d be able to understand you still, my little introverted child. 

You weren’t aware of it, but you gave me direction. When you came, everything made perfect sense. 

'Seeing you and how you have grown into the kind, genuine, strong and simple dreamer that you are is proof enough that I too may be good for something.' -Dimples Romana to eldest daughter Callie

People saw me differently when you came. At first it didn’t seem like it. It felt like I was being judged and watched day to day and I had almost believed them, till I learned from you my darling that my worth as a mother was never up to them, it was always up to you.

What matters was not how they see me, but how you see me. You unknowingly showed them as you were growing older and wiser by the day what my heart and soul looked like from the inside. You are my true legacy. 

I didn’t need to explain myself anymore, because just seeing you and how you have grown into the kind, genuine, strong and simple dreamer that you are is proof enough that I too may be good for something. And that something was raising you. I may suck at everything else, but you’re so good at making dad and I look good, I receive constant validation of worth because of you, kid. As if we were doing everything right when God knows, it was your time when we struggled most. 

Thank you for teaching me that love knows no distance. And that the heart may not be close to one another always, but love conquers all–including space, time, and distance. Our home stands on steady ground because of you, Capt. 

And I pray for you everyday, Ate. I miss you. But I also trust that your heart and feet will know it’s way back home in case you ever feel weary and tired from flying high. We all gotta rest at some point, right? And rest is found at home. 

Here, you will always be embraced. Trace your steps back, okay? My grateful heart will always look up to you and just like what I always would say when you were little–you need not do anything, Cal, you need not be great always, because, you, just standing there, you’re already making me proud.  And like what you always say from when you were little til this very day–Capt, thank you for today.

All of my todays are made perfect because I have you.  

With love and admiration from my soul’s strength and roots, 

Ma

'You fill my heart with joy, it drowns out the darkness'

My sweet Kuya Alonzo, 

Your secret power is your heart of gold. I am always amazed at how appreciative and loving you have become. Every day you fill my heart with so much joy, it drowns out the darkness and turns it into light. 

Your ability to communicate yourself beyond your years is truly amazing, Kuya. Thank you for embracing your new role from bunso to a kuya. Ate and Elio are both so lucky to have a sibling who is never afraid to speak his mind and never too shy to say he misses you.

I love you, Kuya. Whenever you feel like you have lost your way, trust your heart, that very heart that continues to give without expecting anything in return. You always have my heart and love. 

Love and respect to my life’s joy and wings,

Mom   

'Dapat alam ko na ito, pero ang totoo ay hindi pa din sapat'

Elio bunso, 

Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos sa surpresang pagdating mo. Sa iyo ako natuto tumayo ng matatag at maging malakas at matapang.  

Ikaw ang nagturo sakin ng pagmamahal na dalisay at ‘di napapagod. For the many silent battles that my heart and my body went through while I was carrying you, you pulled through and I am grateful you didn’t give up on Mom. 

Thank you for hanging in there and staying with me. You have heard plenty of my silent tears and felt my joys and sorrows. And soon as I gazed into those gentle eyes of yours, I felt comfort and peace. I am able to rest. 

Thank you mahal ko. Number 3 ka na, kaya dapat alam ko na ito. Pero ang totoo ay hindi pa din sapat. Pero sana habang lumalaki ka, maramdaman mo na ang pagmamahal ko, at puso ko ay maaring ‘di perpekto pero mapagod man at mapaso, paulit-ulit pa din kitang mamahalin, anak. 

Promise mas gagalingan pa ni Mommy ang pag-aalaga sa ‘yo. 

Love to my life’s courage and greatest surprise adventure,

Mommy 

Read Dimples Romana and Boyet Ahmee's exclusive interview with Smart Parenting here.

WATCH DIMPLES PLAY WHO'S WHO IN HER FAMILY BASED ON HER PAST CHARACTERS HERE: