As the world defines it, love equates to a warm, fuzzy, kilig feeling. Receiving flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day, warm hugs and kisses from loved ones, weddings, are the usual pictures of love.
But in motherhood, love transforms and takes on a different meaning.
Love becomes being willing to sacrifice. Love becomes fiery and gentle at the same time. Love becomes not asking for anything in return.
Love becomes being able to give more, even when you think you've given your all. Love becomes putting yourself last, but also learning how to take care of oneself.
Love that knows when to hold close and when to let go.
Love that only reveals itself once you become a mother.
There are many definitions but sometimes, words are not enough to describe a mother’s love. It is different—and in its distinction is its beauty.
This Mother’s Day, we shine the spotlight on a mother’s indefatigable and unconditional love. Out of 5,000 of entries across the Philippines, here are the finalists of Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100, a Mother and Father’s Day Photo Contest.
These photos will take us on an emotional journey of witnessing the examples of a mother’s love: From the simplicity of savoring a moment with a newborn, doing the mundane activities of reading bedtime stories and bath times, to seeing working mothers find joy amid life’s challenges, to a mother’s journey of taking care of a newborn and a paralyzed husband, and discovering that you can become a mother because of love, not because of blood.
Here are the Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 2024 finalists under the category Love.
Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 Finalists: Love
"Balot sa Pag-Ibig"
By Franz William G. Felicio
Featuring April Piagola
“Simple joys in life can be found in every corner if one knows how to slow down and look around. Two-year-old Jerrylyn has the energy that puts engines to shame. April, her mother, must catch her to calm her down, but this does not stop them from sharing light-hearted laughter. April is a balot and chips vendor in Iloilo's Fort San Pedro, hustling for the family while keeping up with Jerrylyn's energy.”
“Bedtime Stories—Snuggled Underneath”
By Annabelle Busico
Featuring Annabelle Busico
“In this sweet picture, a mom and her five-year-old daughter snuggle under a warm blanket with a soft light. They're reading a bedtime story together and getting lost in the magical adventure. This special time every night makes their bond even stronger, creating memories they'll cherish forever.”
“Curves of Life”
By Sean Tee
Featuring Ailene Donna Tee
“Curves of life is my way of honoring my wife’s body bumps and stretch marks. Capturing her most raw and authentic self as a child-bearing mother taking a bath with our firstborn, shamelessly accepting those natural curvilinear, is liberating and self-loving.”
“Fell Outside The Definition”
By Anna Karenina Montemayor
Featuring Anna Karenina Montemayor
“We have a non-traditional family set-up. We're a lesbian couple who adopted a neurodivergent baby. He calls me Love, I call him my own.”
“It’s The Little Things”
By Ronie Lyn Marin
Featuring Ronie Lyn Marin
“Capturing little moments while you can still carry them in your arms.”
“Kanlungan ni Nanay”
By Phoebe Mae A. Juanico
Featuring Phoebe Mae A. Juanico
“Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.”
“Kaagapay ni Nanay”
By Marc Leo H. Layson
Featuring Jonalyn Junsay
“Under the scorching sun are the mother and daughter tandem of Jonalyn and Krizyl. They are selling bicho-bicho, a Filipino delicacy. Despite an exhausting day, the two always wears a smile to attract customers. Basta’t may kaagapay, patuloy ang ligaya ng buhay. ”
“Love in Placenta”
By Day Anne Judith Tenebro-Virtucio
Featuring Day Anne Judith Tenebro-Virtucio
“Truly, even when the baby isn’t born yet they can already feel their mother’s love through the placenta. It provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby while inside the mother’s womb. And finally, when the baby comes out with the umbilical cord still attached, the nutrients are still flowing within--it makes a mother’s heart jump for joy!”
“Mas Masaya Kapag Kayo Kasama Ko”
By Karen Mae Jacaban-Kis-ing
Featuring Karen Mae Jacaban-Kis-ing
“Ang litrato ay kuha ilang araw pagkatapos kong tumigil magtrabaho bilang flight attendant sa Middle East (clipped my wings, ika nga nila). Natigil ang luxurious personal life para sa kanila, mas kaunti ang kita at pasok ng pera. Pero ayos lang basta magkakasama na lagi. Never looked back ever since at no regrets.”
“Mother and Son”
By Gerald C. Bacuna
Featuring Sheryl C. Bacuna
“Ang pinakamahalagang bagay na gawin ng mga magulang at anak ay ang pagkakaroon ng bonding o communication, para magabayan at maturuan ng magandang asal o maituro ang tama at mali habang sila'y bata pa.”
“Mother-Son Symphony: Harmonizing Parenthood with Love and Bond”
By Mylene Demayo
Featuring Mylene Demayo
“Parenting is an art that goes beyond just teaching; it's about understanding, nurturing, and growing together. It involves weaving love, guidance, and laughter into the fabric of our children's lives, fostering not just intelligence, but also wisdom and empathy. Every step of this journey is infused with boundless curiosity, gentle guidance, and unwavering support, creating a tapestry of memories that shape not only our children's minds but also our hearts.”
“Precious Gifts from Mom’s Signature of Love”
By Adonis Ronquillo
Featuring Ruffa Ronquillo
“It is difficult for a mom to undergo a C-section to give birth to her child. Yet, the scar left on her is a signature of love for the precious gifts of God - her children. The photo shows the first-born child embracing his mom’s baby bump. It also shows the signature of love where he came from and where his sibling will be born. The mom’s sacrifice is worth it because it bears the fruit of unconditional love.”
“Simple Moments With My Little One”
By Aejay Magtaas
Featuring Aejay Magtaas
“Motherhood is hard and lonely but the only thing I'll ever need are these moments and memories of us - a reminder for myself there is magic and beauty in the chaos.”
“The Yawn”
By Jacqueline O. Estella
Featuring Tess Ramos
“The essence of motherhood is the unconditional love, nurturing, selflessness, and sacrifice for her child. It involves emotional support, guidance, protection, and care to help her child grow and thrive. Motherhood involves a strong bond between a mother and her child that transcends any obstacles or challenges that may arise. Ultimately, the essence of motherhood is putting the needs and well-being of a child above all else and being a constant source of love and support throughout their life.”
“You Are My Sunshine”
By Mary Joyce San Diego
Featuring Mary Joyce San Diego
“In every sunset & sunrise, savor precious moments with your little one."
Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 Photo Contest Winners: Love
"My Everything"
By Jean Rose C. Briguela
Featuring Jan Leland and Jean Rose Briguela
"Taking care of the two most important people in my life: my one-year-old baby and my husband recovering from comatose to a vegetative state, and now claiming to be back as normal. It's a challenging but incredibly, rewarding time. Our family is not perfect but with God, everything is possible thus making it meaningful.”
“Tears of Joy”
By Cherry Anne Abusmas
Featuring Jessica and Francis Dy
“A father stands full of emotion watching at the back. Tears of pure joy stream down his face as he gazes upon his newborn child for the first time. With trembling hands, he wipes away his tears, unable to contain the overwhelming love and happiness swelling in his heart. It's a scene of raw, unfiltered emotion, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. In that tear-stained smile, you see the indescribable magic of fatherhood unfolding.”
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Photos are arranged in alphabetical order.
See the other winning photos under the following categories: Joy and Dedication.
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Produced by: Bettina Santos
Edited by Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Video Producer: Cherrie Julian
Social Media: Zen Arganda
Art Director: Maria Stephanie Ocampo
Video Editor: Olan Pingco
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Publisher: Iza Santos-Cuyos
Interns: Yuuki dela Cruz, Justine Cruz, Angel Jose
