Dad Captures Beautiful Moment With Kids When His Wife 'Made It Rain'

Last May 2023, we asked our readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of motherhood. Out of thousands of entries, we carefully selected the top 100, and then handpicked the top 10. This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of the Smart Parenting Motherhood 100 photo contest.

“A picture paints a thousand words”, the popular saying goes. And the photo entitled “Worthwhile”, captured by Michael Paglalunan definitely fits that. 

The image seems like a perfectly curated photoshoot, with the lighting and rain effects, the big and genuine smiles of his ‘models’, but it was all just capturing the perfect moment at the perfect time.

The photo was completely unplanned and out of the blue, but it captured a moment worth remembering. 

Michael Paglalunan shared to Smart Parenting, “Originally, our plan was to wait for the rain, as our children love playing and bathing in the natural downpour. However, the sun unexpectedly emerged, potentially dashing their hopes. Sensing this, my wife came up with a creative solution. She used our hose to create a rain-like effect and splashed it onto our children instead.”

He continued to share when the ‘magic’ happened, “In that instant, something magical happened. Their faces lit up with sheer delight and excitement. Laughter echoed through the air as they danced and played, immersed in their own little rain shower.”

He added, “Those precious moments of pure happiness remind us, as parents, of the true essence of life.” 

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Embracing the Unexpected

As we become parents, almost everything becomes ‘unexpected’. What our child’s gender would be, how many hours of sleep we’ll get each night, when we will be able to have a clean house. As our children grow up, we continue to realize each day that there are things out of our control, and there’s always something unexpected happening. 

"By preserving these moments, I hoped to create a tangible reminder that in the embrace of family, we find enduring happiness and strength.” --Michael Paglalunan

This is exactly what Michael’s wife did. She knows that her kids are expecting to have fun while it's raining and she doesn’t want to dampen their mood. Instead of letting the unexpected ruin everyone’s day, his wife turned the situation around, “As we look upon "Worthwhile", let it serve as a gentle nudge for everyone to embrace the unexpected, find beauty in it, and make it extraordinary. Let us cherish the moments that make life truly worthwhile.”

A seemingly ‘frustrating’ situation, turned around by a mother’s creativity and love for her kids. 

Michael shared his intention in capturing the photo, “My intention was to immortalize the genuine moments as they unfolded. I aimed to capture the essence of our togetherness, emphasizing that even amidst life's twists and turns, the bond we share brings the greatest joy. By preserving these moments, I hoped to create a tangible reminder that in the embrace of family, we find enduring happiness and strength.”

An Assurance

Aside from the beautiful moment captured in the photo, the location itself is another interesting story. The photographer said, “This photo was taken in our beloved home in Balayan, Batangas, a place that holds deep significance for our family.”

“One interesting detail is that we made the decision to relocate to this ancestral home during the last pandemic. Our primary motivation was to ensure the safety and well-being of our children. By moving to the province, we aimed to provide them with a better environment to study, play, and grow, where they could freely explore and breathe in the fresh air.”

And almost like an assurance that they made the right decision in moving back to the province, the photo perfectly captured the answer.

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Michael Paglalunan used his Canon DSLR paired with his favorite lens. He also shared other beautiful photos of his wife and family, with nothing but beauty in their everyday lives.

"For All You Do"

My wife's tireless dedication to our family is something that never ceases to amaze me. She always puts the needs of our children and our own family first, no matter how tired she may be.

“Night Duties”

This photo captures a beautiful moment when our kids were sound asleep after being pampered by their mom, kuya with foot tickles, our two girls with story-telling, and a warm embrace, and bunso by breastfeeding. Thank you, boo, for making sure they were comfortable and had everything they needed to sleep peacefully.  

“Higit sa Tahi’t Kamot”

Beyond the stitches and scratches lies the ultimate symbol of a mother's love - the C-section cut and stretch marks on my wife's belly. Each mark tells a story of her selflessness, courage, and dedication to bringing our beautiful children into the world. It's a reminder that she goes above and beyond, making sacrifices to keep our children safe."