Smart Parenting Motherhood 100 Winning Photos
What's it like to become a mother?
Although pregnancy and childbirth are grand events that may define a mother's existence, it is in the little, mundane things that a mother's love truly blossoms.
It is not only in carrying your child in your womb, but also in babywearing your child at work. It is not only in taking care of your newborn, but also in finding the grace to give yourself a few minutes in the shower amidst the chaos of postpartum. It is not only in spending time with your children, but also in sacrificing your joy and career to serve your family. Because motherhood, although glorious and fulfilling at times, never ends.
The Smart Parenting Motherhood 100 Mother's Day photo contest has been an incredible journey, where we had the privilege to gaze at the raw, intimate, and powerful moments of motherhood. These moments are happening every day, yet some mothers feel that what they've got is a thankless job, and all their tireless efforts are unseen, or that they are invisible to the world.
We were amazed by the overwhelming response as photographs poured in from all over the Philippines, showcasing the dedication, compassion, self-care, and bravery found in the everyday lives of mothers.
From the top 100 photos that we unveiled last Mother's Day in all our online and out-of-home platforms, we are thrilled to present the crème de la crème--the top 10 entries that touched our hearts and souls. Each photo serves as a poignant reminder of both the strength and serenity of a mother's love.
Be moved, inspired, and empowered as we reveal the finest moments of Devotion, Courage, Kindness, and Self-Love, in this extraordinary display of raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic motherhood.
What would the world be without mothers?
Smart Parenting Motherhood 100: Top 10 Photos
"The Day I First Met You"
By Jan Melcher Velasco
Featuring Jetrina Velasco
"The most awaited moment of an expectant mother is meeting her baby for the first time. After giving birth to my firstborn I went through three miscarriages, thousands of needles for treatment, and two days of labor before meeting my second son. After rounds of treatment again, I finally gave birth to my youngest. It was long and tiring. I cried buckets of tears. It was a painful, financially draining journey worth doing. Just to meet you my three boys, I would go through the same path again, no questions asked."
"Kayod"
By Gab Pelayre
Featuring Ena Marie Dizon
"A raw, unfiltered moment in my life as a working mom, baby-wearing my sick boy. I am desperately needed in my profession as a teacher, but my baby boy needs me too. When you become a mother, sometimes you have no choice but to be present in BOTH worlds. Thanks to safe spaces for women and children at work, you are not considered less of a worker if you're a mother."
"Yakap"
By Chrysthel Azucena
Featuring Chrysthel Azucena
"Motherhood is about embracing the pain, ugliness, sacrifices and yet still be able to love unconditionally."
"Worthwhile"
By Michael Paglalunan
Featuring Ruffa Vallada Paglalunan
"Heavy rains means it rained out, all plans have changed, delayed, or cancelled, like motherhood. It brought so much change. A career was sacrificed, but there's no regret because it brings joy whenever you see your child happy. Like the rain, mothers bring joy to their children, when they let them play and catch raindrops. Their happiness, our happiness. Unspeakable joy."
"It’s Okay Not To Be Okay"
By Divina Gracia Fajutag
Featuring Ronie Lyn Marin
"It’s okay not to be okay."
"Row For Life"
By Herbert Kikoy
Featuring a Badjao coin diver
"Most Badjaos are skilled divers, and some have ventured into coin diving to earn a few bucks. This Badjao mother was doing what she does best, in order to provide for her little one."
"A Mother’s Silent Cry"
By Geomar Triño
Featuring Mary Joy Triño
"Joy at 24 weeks taking her shower me-time, she seems lost in thought, perhaps grappling with the weight of impending motherhood."
"Sa Piling Ni Nanay"
By Myrel Anne N. Molina
Featuring Acia Le J. Ronase
"Maraming kuwento tungkol sa isang dakilang ina. Kabilang na dito ang isang dalagang ina na si Acia Le Ronase na maagang nabuntis sa edad na 18 years old, high school graduate at isang full-time nanay.
Isa siyang "Batang ina sa lipunan" kung tawagin. Dalagang ina na maagang napasok sa isang mabigat na responsibilidad ng pagiging isang magulang na kailangang gampanan, kahit na hindi pa sila handa.
Madalas man sila husgahan ng karamihan, pero kahit ganun pa man, isa parin siyang ina na may karapatang maging masaya at lumigaya. Nasa murang edad man siya nagkaroon ng anak, pero hindi ito hadlang para siya ay di magpatuloy sa laban ng kanyang buhay. Ang anak niya ang kaniyang naging tanging inspirasyon sa buhay para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo, at matupad ang kanyang pangarap na magandang kinabukasan para dito."
"Your Happiness Is My Happiness"
By Caesar Ean Escleto
Featuring Barbra Francine Escleto
"When you ask a mother what makes her happy, it will always be seeing her children happy. Their laughter is music to our ears. Their joy is our source of strength."
"Clara"
By Carlo G. Zamora
Featuring Clara Gabriel Zamora
"This is my mother, her name is Clara. She is now 91 years old. My mother has been a dedicated housewife throughout her motherhood life. She raised seven of us together with my father, who joined our creator 10 years ago. Despite her age, she never stops caring for us. She always prepares our food, clothes, and dishes, while also looking after her grandchildren. Unfortunately, she is now suffering from dementia. It is now our responsibility to take care of her, to look after her, to prepare her food and clothes, and to return the love she gave us."
The top 10 winners of the Smart Parenting Motherhood 100 will be granted a cash prize of P10,000 for the photographer, and P10,000 for the muse. If you are part of the top 10, Smart Parenting will contact you regarding the process of claiming your prize. Congratulations!
See the finalist photos under the following categories: Devotion, Courage, Kindness, and Self-Love.
Join the Smart Parenting Village, our community of over 90,000 moms and dads here.
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Produced by: Iza Cuyos-Santos, Mika Presillas, and Marie Bilgera
Art Director: Maria Stephanie Ocampo
Edited by Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Social Media: Zen Arganda
Video Producer: Cherrie Julian
Video Editor: Olan Pingco
Special thanks to: Riyalyn Grace Pasimio, Roi Boado, Keana del Rosario, Anny Marino, and Thea Alberto-Masakayan
