The Marian Month is a tradition of the Catholic Church in honoring and venerating the mother of Jesus Christ. Last Saturday, May 31, a procession around St. Mary’s Church in Dubai was held wherein parishioners recited the Holy Rosary and Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the grotto. It was the conclusion of the Month of Mary where Bishop Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, conducted the 7:30 pm mass.
Earlier the same day, another mother was honored. Melon Quinzon Perez celebrated the first anniversary of Olivia Pearls at The MelRish Studio in Al Quoz, Dubai. “Olivia Pearls represents my journey of authenticity and personal connection. Named after my mother, Olivia, it’s a tribute to her strength and grace, and a way to share the beauty of pearls that resonate with uniqueness, just like her,” Melon shared with her special guests led by Vice Consul Aleah Marie Gica of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Dubai and Northern Emirates and Trade Commissioner Vichael Roaring of Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PITC).
She added: “I honor my mother by living with the values she instilled in me – embracing my true self, staying grounded, and creating something meaningful. Olivia Pearls is my way of carrying forward her legacy of beauty, grace, and authenticity.”
According to Melon, all their South Sea pearls are sourced from the Philippines, known for producing some of the world’s finest saltwater pearls. They support local pearl farmers and contribute a portion of their profit to the preservation of traditional pearl farming practices.
“One vivid memory of my mother is how she would wake up at 4:30 am every day to prepare breakfast for us. She carried my heavy books to school and, when we couldn’t afford to buy them, she would draw and write the books herself with her hands. Her sacrifices and love remain etched in my heart,” she further said.
I remember my 90-year-old mother, fondly called Senora Yit, who has her own sacrifices. She became a widow at 49 when our father, Jackie Valenzuela Los Banos, passed away due to heart attack in January 1984. Lost one son at 55. Our brother Raffy died in a freak car accident in June 1990. We used to be eight siblings. Money was not a big concern as both my parents come from well-to-do families. But imagine the emotional toll our mother experienced losing a husband and a son within six years.
I believe it was her young adulthood experience that made her emotionally strong. Mommy, who is a middle child, became a ‘mother’ and ‘wife’ when her own mother, Pilar Pulvinar Ante, passed away in 1955 due to cancer. Mommy would always share with us how she took care of her younger siblings until she got married, as well as check on her father, Dr. Esteban De Vera Ante, even after getting married.
We celebrated her 90th birthday last December 30 in Legazpi, Albay. Four of us are based overseas. She is being accompanied by our second to the eldest sibling, Steve. Our eldest, Manoy Jojo, visit Mommy once a year, while our youngest, Judith, visit her quarterly. Both are based in Manila. For the past three years, I had visited Mommy several times and I’m looking forward to seeing her in the second half of this year. Thank you, Mommy, for keeping with us, eight and now seven children, plus grandchildren Therese and Jay.
Another mother I would like to honor is my wife’s late mother, Lydia Umali Salinel, who passed away here in the UAE in September last year due to cancer at 78 years old. Mama Lydia who finished high school only married very young and all her life she just took care of her husband, Jose Meno Salinel, and four children – and even some grandchildren. She became a widow, too, in 2005, and lost daughter Grace in 2013. Both also died due to cancer.
Lastly, but not the least, I am very grateful to the mother of our son, Yuji, my wife, Rachel or Elle, who has been the anchor of our small family. She is our prayer warrior, our conscience, and our own ‘Mother Teresa’. God bless all mothers. Mama Mary intercede for them as they intercede for us.
Note: The columnist is a 24-year resident of Dubai and is currently working as Head of Corporate Communications of a global energy logistics company. He is a former Filipino Community Leader and is now active with a global Catholic movement promoting the renewal of Christian family life. He can be reached atartlosbanos@gmail.com
