"Every mother is phenomenal, so am I"
For the person who describes herself as an iron lady and an epitome of love and kindness, Tarcela Feliciano did live up to her description as she stood as a mother to her grandchildren whose parents were separated.
Tarcela Veronque Feliciano, also known as "Tarcing," is a 78-year-old granny who was born in Caibiran, Leyte, on December 24, 1943. She grew up in the care of his mother, who is a disciple of love, that's why she values the sanctity of family and love.
Back then, when her parents passed away, she decided to go to Manila for work after her high school graduation in March 1958.
"Nang mamatay [ang] mga magulang ko, huminto na ako sa pag-aaral at lumuwas ako pa Maynila then nagtrabaho ako sa Farmer's Market bilang isang kahera," she said.
(When my parents died, I stopped studying and went to Manila. I worked as a cashier in Farmer's Market.)
When Tarcela's parents died, she became the breadwinner of the family. She worked there as a cashier for 10 years to help her family with financial matters.
"Bukod sa pangangailangan ko, nagtrabaho ako kasi may mga pamangkin ako na pinag-aaral," she added.
(Apart from my needs, I worked because I am supporting the education of my nephews.)
After her 10 years of working as a cashier, she decided to start a family so that she could have a partner in life.
After a few months, she met Roberto Feliciano, her husband, and they later had four sons.
Sadly, in 2005, her husband died early due to a heart attack, so she worked out a way to support her four sons on her own.
"Hindi ko alam kung paano ako makababangon noon, pero no'ng nakita ko 'yong mga anak ko, sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na kailangan kong maging matatag para sa kanila," she stated.
(Back then, I didn't know how I was going to get up from despair, but when I saw my children, I really told myself that I had to be strong for them.)
After what happened, Tarcela built a cafeteria as the beginning of a new life and named it "The Four Boy's Karinderya" to remind her of who she was fighting for.
"Ang karinderya na iyon ang naging pundasyon ko sa pag-suporta sa aming pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan," she said.
(That cafeteria became my foundation in supporting our daily needs.)
Years later, all of her sons were married. However, most of her sons’ marital status was not successful because two of them were separated from their wives.
Tarcela thought that her role as a mother was over. According to her, she could not bear to see children who do not have a mother to guide them so she took them in while her sons worked abroad.
"Hindi ko maatim iyong mga bata na walang gagabay na nanay sa kanila," she said.
(I couldn't bear those kids having no mother to guide them.)
"Iba pa rin kasi talaga kapag may gabay ng nanay," she added.
(The child with the mother's guidance is really different.)
She really stood steadfast in her faith. She believes that God is giving her the strength that she needs to guide her grandchildren until they grow up.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon kasi sa edad ko na 78 ay malakas pa rin ako, sabi nga ng iba mukha raw akong mga nasa 50 or 60 years old lang," she said.
(I am grateful to God because at the age of 78 I am still strong, some say that I look like 50 or 60 years old only.)
"Binigyan ako ni God ng sobrang lakas na pangangatawan para maalagaan ko pa 'yung mga apo ko at makita ko pa sila na magkaroon ng sariling pamilya," she added.
(God has given me so much physical strength in order for me to take care of my grandchildren and to see them have their own families.)
According to Tarcela, her mother's love for her also played a big part in her life because she is now able to apply it to her grandchildren.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa pagmamahal na binigay sa akin ng nanay ko kasi naisasabuhay ko ito ngayon," she said.
(I am grateful for the love that my mother has given me because I am able to apply it now.)
"Kung ibang tao lang ang may ganitong sitwasyon, baka pinabayaan na lang yung mga bata," she added.
(If only other people had this situation, they just might abandon the children.)
Through all the good and bad times, love is the only thing that drives Tarcela to continue with life. Her love for her family and the way she valued its sanctity is what makes her phenomenal.
During the interview, Tarcela's youngest grandchildren, Blue and Orange, were proud to talk about what it is like to have her as a mother.
"Mabait si Nanay kasi kung sa tutuusin, hindi niya naman trabaho na alagaan kami. eh,- Dapat nga nagchi-chill nalang siya kaya masasabi kong wala talagang nanay ang katulad ng nanay ko," Orange stated.
(My grandmother was kind because, after all, it wasn't her job to take care of us. Actually, she must be just chilling at that age. Therefore, I can say that there really is no grandmother like her.)
Blue was happy when he shared his best memory with his grandmother.
"Naalala ko every time na kakanta ako, siya ang unang papalakpak, siya ang unang sasayaw, siya ang unang nakangiti," he said.
(I remember every time I sang, she was the first to clap, dance, and smile.)
These two and Tarcela’s other grandchildren are the reasons why she still has the strength to keep moving forward.
"Alam ko na lahat ng magulang ay mas gugustuhin ang ikabubuti ng kanilang anak o apo. Kaya hanga ako sa mga magulang na mag-isang itinataguyod ang pamilya dahil sobrang hirap, base sa naging karanasan ko," Tarcela said.
(I know that all parents want the best for their child or grandchild. So I admire the parents who support the family alone, because it's so hard, based on my experience.)
"Para sa lahat ng ilaw ng tahanan, hindi lang tayo basta ilaw, tayo na mismo ang tahanan," she added.
(To all the lights of the home, we are not just lights, we are the home itself.)
❤️😭