'Nakakadurog,' Son Gets Tattoo With Late Mom's Final Letter; Reminds Us To 'Seize The Moment'

There are many ways to show our love for our parents, but this one proves that a child's love for their parents goes beyond the grave.

Vincent John Tuibeo's mother passed away in 2010, leaving him and his two siblings behind. On April 7, Vincent, 24, got himself inked with a very memorable tattoo on his torso. When his tattoo artist shared a photo of the finished work, it touched the hearts of netizens. The design? It was a handwritten letter of Vincent's mother to him during her final days in the hospital. 

Son gets tattoo of late mom's final letter 

In an interview with Smart Parenting, Vincent shared how he had been meaning to get a tattoo, but he was undecided on which design to pick. "Gusto ko talaga sa rib cage yung una kong tattoo. Then one day, napasilip nalang ako sa old wallet ko na bigay din ng mother ko before she passed away, and naalala ko na nandun yung letter niya."

^{Vincent's mom's last letter before she passed away in 2010}

He continued, "Then kinuha ko and sinukat sa rib cage ko, and sobrang nag-fit siya for it. That day sobrang naging decided ako na yun na talaga ang ipapa-tattoo ko sa rib cage ko para na din sa memory of my late mother."

^{Vincent's tattoo, his tribute to his late mother}

While the gesture of immortalizing his late mom's letter was enough to touch the hearts of netizens, what's in the letter will break your heart.

In it, Vincent's mom apologized for her handwriting, saying she had a hard time due to her IV. She asked how they were doing, and thanked them for praying for her. She also left some requests, specifically for Vincent, who is the middle child, to be understanding of his siblings, and kind to their relatives.

^{Vincent with his late mom and siblings}

She also stressed the importance of being prayerful, and that she hopes they will continue to pray and be thankful to God.

Netizens laud Vincent, artist for tribute tattoo to late mother

Vincent didn't think that his tattoo would catch the attention of netizens, and even media outlets, as his sole intention was to honor his mother. "Sobrang nakakataba ng puso, lalo na yung mga nag co-comment na na-appreciate nila yung ganitong klase ng tattoo."

"Seize the moment. Enjoy your every day with your parents! Love them! Show them that you care! Communicate with them! Include them in your prayers!"  —Vincent John Tuibeo

He added, "Some of them are inspired na magpa-tattoo ng mga letters na naiwan din sa kanila ng mga mahal nila sa buhay."

In the post by Vincent's artist, Alexis Serdeña of Serdeña's Tattoo Studio, most of the comments were positive. 

One user said, "Di lahat ng tattoo ay para sa dekorasyon lang, ang iba ay para sa malalim na kahulugan." Another user said, "Nakakadurog," and also, "Pinakamasakit at pinakameaningful na tats."

"The pain will fade yet a love of a mother still remains," said another netizen.

'Seize the moment'

Now working as a data analyst, Vincent shared a message to those who still have their parents with them.

"Seize the moment. Enjoy your every day with your parents! Love them! Show them that you care! Communicate with them! Include them in your prayers!" he told Smart Parenting.

"Nakakainis man ngayon sa part niyo ang mga pangaral nila, but believe me, one day, masasabi niyo ding tama sila at para sa inyo din yung mga sinasabi nila!" he concluded.

^{Vincent with his siblings now}

Read how to teach your children to honor the memory of deceased loved ones here.