Mrs. Mercedes Regalado: Epitome of a mother
Every year, the National Mother's Day and Father's Day Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. searches for model mothers throughout the country to be recognized through the Ulirang Ina Awards. The search is headed by the Founding Chairperson and President Wilfredo Talag and Awards Chairperson Leticia Talag. The Awarding Ceremony is held every second Sunday of May in conjuction with the International Celebration of Mother's Day.
The title "Ulirang Ina" is given to women from different walks of life. The awardees are mothers that are worth emulating for their nurturing efforts in raising and teaching their children to become God-fearing, honest, hardworking, disciplined, and productive citizens of the community.
The Foundation has set a general criteria to which the nominees should be judged. The nominee should be at least 45 years of age, have at least a child who had earned a degree and is currently employed, have a child who has brought international recognition to the country, have a wholesome family life, of good moral character, responsible member of the community, and made a contribution to the community through her work, children, and family.
Mrs. Mercedes R. Regalado, an Ilongga mom from Rizal Street, Iloilo City, was included in the list of 20 Ulirang Ina Awardees all over the country this year. She is a mother to six successful children namely: Cyrus Regalado, who works on fisheries in Indonesia; the late Cythia Regalado-Gomez, who died of cancer two years ago; Dr. Cydsel Victoria Regalado-Toledo; Atty. Cyril Regalado; Engr. Cydril Cesar Regalado, who is now in Arizona; and Cyrian Michael Regalado, a physical therapist in London.
Her modest salary as a teacher combined with that of her husband's income as a bank employee supported their six children throughout college. She was once the school administrator of Jaro High School in 1970s.
"I am not a strict mom. I just act as a model for my children. I don't impose things... I support them whatever their interests are," says Mrs. Regalado. "I always tell them that they have to work hard to achieve what they want to be because we don't have much of the material things," adds the award-winning mom who is now a grandmother of 11.
Mrs. Regalado was nominated by people from NBN 4, a local TV network, after they spotted her on an international lamp show that was held in Manila. Mercedes made the write up, that was sent to the committee, herself.
Before she retired from teaching, her two daughters and four sons already earned their respective degrees. Considering that her children were starting their own family and were having promising careers, Mrs. Regalado found time to indulge in her passion -- handicraft. At home, she started making souvenirs and gift items made out of fossilized leaves which she gave to her friends and relatives. Soon, she began receiving orders.
She was encouraged by her husband, Cesar, and by the Department of Trade and Industry to embark on the world of business. The Cemer Enterpises was born. The company manufactures handicrafts and gift items. Intricately-designed CEMER lamps accentuated with fossilized leaves have been exported to Europe, Middle East, US, and neighboring countries. The designs were made by Mercedes herself.
Last 2004, Mercedes has gone through a painful stage in her life. Her eldest child, Cynthia was taken by Our Creator. Throughout her daughter's pains and sufferings, brought about by bone cancer, Mercedes was constantly beside her giving her strength and hope by supporting and taking good care of her.
"I want to absorb her pain but I have no power. Comforting her was the closest option," she shared.
Aside from being a dedicated mother, Mercedes is also an active member of her local parish, Sta. Teresita Parish Church. For years, she hosted a weekly radio program entitled "Tingog ni Sta. Teresita" (The Voice of Sta. Teresita). The program was sponsored by the parish.
Last May 14, 2006, Mercedes received her Ulirang Ina Award under the category Sectoral Award for Education at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City. With her is her devoted husband and proud children.
The other recepients of the said award were beauty queen/actress/endorser Charlene Muhlach; National Bookstore founding Chair Socorro Ramos; PGMA's aunt Atty. Lourdes Macapagal-Bautista (deceased); Atty. Luzviminda Puno (deceased), wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Reynato Puno; Dr. Vivian Sarabia; Retired Judge Esperanza Garcia; Milagros Puyat, daughter-in-law of the late Senate President Gil Puyat; and Vicenta Torre, mother of the chess grandmaster Eugene Torre and the first Dean of the University of San Agustin College of Pharmacy.
"Do your job as a mother. Take care of your family and the needs of your children. The family is the foundation of the society. The best contribution of a mother is to have good children that will become an asset to society. If you love your children, they will love you in return," quips the mom who thanked her teaching forte, Home Economics, as a part of her success.