Heto Na Naman Siya! The 'Ulirang Tita' Attends Her Nephew's Graduation In Style

It's graduation season again, and who hasn't seen the show-stopping outfit of this lady who has been calling herself #UlirangTita in social media?

Meet Annel Ramones, 23, from Bacoor, Cavite. Annel told Smart Parenting the story behind her photos while attending her nephew Miggy's school events in style.

"Last year 2021, ako yung last option para umattend ng graduation ng pamangkin ko. Yung dad nya kasi nurse on duty, and then my mom can't attend as well kasi may lakad daw."

Annel shares, it's her first time to attend events like this. "Tas syempre young adult ako, I just graduated 3 years ago! Kung baga for the longest time, magulang ko yung umaakyat ng stage pag may mga ganitong pagkakataon so syempre na excite ako sa pag attend!"

She recounts, "Eh naisip ko lang sa back ng mind ko, what if mag bihis ako ng sobrang OA tapos umattend ako? Tutal zoom lang naman, wala naman mawawala. Kaso syempre nasa puberty stage na yung pamangkin ko, nakakahiya daw so nagpalit na lang ako ng normal clothes tapos nag picture na lang kami kasi sayang naman?!"

Annel also shared that she has been using the Ulirang Tita hashtag since 2013, whenever she shares funny moments with her nephew.

The core of being an Ulirang Tita

According to her, her nephew's dad is a solo parent, and a nurse.

"Madalas kasi naka duty yung dad niya and he's a single dad, so most of the time talaga either my mom or ako yung nag aalaga sa kanya. So ever since may bond na talaga kami ni Miggy maliit pa lang sya, kung baga parang ako na din yung tumayong ate nya kasi wala din naman siyang siblings."

READ ALSO: A Single Mom's Letter To Her Fatherless Son: 'I Did Not Raise You Alone'

While people are drawn by her Lady Gaga-like fashion sense, what makes her an ulirang tita is really her being present for her nephew. 

She said, "Lumaki kasi si Miggy na isa lang yung parent nya, and mahirap for me kasi na witness ko paano niya inabsorb and hinandle yung ganong situation at a very young age. So as much as possible, I don't want to make him feel na it's just him and his dad sa family so I really try to be present sa lahat ng milestones nya sa life kasi ako talaga nag alaga sa kanya since baby pa siya."

"So to witness all of his achievements and even the simpler things: kahit circumcision, first communion, first acting play, talagang andun ako!"

READ ALSO: 3 Ways Tito And Tita Can Help You Raise Happy Kids

'Ulirang Tita' outfit reveal

For all the titos and titas who also want to be 'extra' like her, Annel revealed her outfit pieces.

Iconic Hat - SM Department Store

Black Dress - Mango

Shoes - Parisian

Jewelries - It's from my mom! But I think most of her jewelry are from Anne Klein, and thenyung other stuff mga gift lang for her from our relatives and my dad galing sa iba't ibangcountries! (I think sya ang tunay na madam lol)

Gloves - Shopee

How to be an Ulirang Tito and Tita too

We've said it time and again that titos and titas are essential in parenting. They are indeed an important part of the village that help raise a child. 

"Go at magpaka extra lang tayo! I think kaya maraming naka relate sa post ko kasi lahat naman tayo gusto yumaman and ma spoil ang ating mga pamangkins. Sabi nga nila yun talaga nag ultimate goal! So kahit wala pa tayo sa ganung point, edi um-aura muna tayo!"

She adds, being an ulirang tita doesn't always have to be grandiose. 

"Kahit sa mga maliliit na bagay lang like helping out on their projects sa school! I remember ginawan ko din si Miggy ng TVC for their school project. Ako lahat from script, to direction, pati camera man! All around yarn?" she said. 

READ ALSO: 5 Reasons Aunts Are Important in Their Nephews' and Nieces' Lives

Titas are parents too!

When asked how she feels about being her nephew's support system, "Super proud of course! For the longest time naman talagang achiever si Miggy, never kami nagka problem sa kanya kung paano siya turuan sa mga schoolworks niya."

And it looks like we'll be seeing more of Ulirang Tita's outfits in the future.

"I can’t wait sa mga future milestones nya. Aabagan ko hanggang mag college siya and of course andito pa din ako az a #UlirangTita," she said.

Although her nephew doesn't look pleased with her outfits in the photos, we know that he loves you so much, Annel! You are doing a great job. Congratulations!

There are at least 3 reasons why titos and titas are essential to raising happy, healthy kids. Read here.