Who She Is: My Mother’s Journey
My mother, Gina, has been a great role model for me. She has taught me about honest, simple living and the importance of hard work. I remember that she would tell me of her life as a youngster growing up on a small island of one of the Visayan provinces in the Philippines. My mother would tell of her three mile walk to school through sugar cane fields, dirt roads, and fields with grazing caribou. She spoke about her parents’ work in the sugar mills and how her family’s earnings were just enough to meet most of their basic needs in life. As I listened to these stories, I wondered how my mother was able to leave her humble beginnings on her island and make it half-way around the world to New York. I also thought of how the person I see her as came to be and whether she considered a specific moment in her life to be a turning point. As I dug deeper into my mother’s journey, I discovered that turning points are not events that spontaneously occur, but rather, are moments that are built over time and culminate when the time is right.
As a young schoolgirl, Gina was a diligent student who recognized the value of a good education. She desired to continue her education and land a job in order to help her parents and two younger siblings. She earned good grades in grade school and high school, and hoped of being accepted to a college in one of the big cities of the Visayan provinces. Enduring obstacles that usually plague agricultural communities in the Philippines, such as droughts and typhoons, Gina’s parents kept the family close and always emphasized the importance of sharing and saving. Gina thought that by becoming successful, she would one day share with her family what she had earned. “If you become successful and happy, do not forget the people who helped you get where you are, and also be a blessing to other people,” said Gina’s mother. Gina also played with her friends and listened to the radio, always staying well-rounded and never letting her studies take over her life. After a productive study session, she would go to the movie theater and watch mostly American films such as “The Sound of Music” and “Von Ryan’s Express.” Her hard work would eventually result in her acceptance to the College of San Agustin in Bacolod City, one of the largest cities in the region.
At college, Gina experienced the turning point that would alter the course of her life. Away from home and in an urban environment, Gina was both excited and anxious about her college experience. “I realized that I needed to adjust quickly, but the opportunity to live in the big city was a great motivating factor for me,” said Gina. She and other female students lived in a cramped dorm and were forced to sleep on cots since beds were too large and more importantly, too expensive. Gina worked hard to keep her grades up in college, often using her cot as a desk for studying and a table for eating. She did well in her science courses, especially biology and chemistry, and decided to study nursing. Throughout her college years, Gina always remembered the lessons she learned growing up in her home province. She spent money wisely, helped her roommates who had trouble in classes that she excelled in, and always set aside time to relax. One of Gina’s favorite activities during college was jogging. She liked the fact that jogging allowed her to stay in shape and explore the area surrounding her dorm. While on a jog, Gina met a Filipina named Cecile, who lived with her American husband in one of the buildings near Gina’s dorm. Cecile introduced Gina to her daughter Josephina, who was also studying nursing. Soon, Gina and Josephina became best friends, and Gina was invited to Josephina’s house on many occasions.
At Josephina’s house were many amenities and imported goods from the United States. Gina gained more knowledge of life around the world by reading the issues of Life Magazine that lay around the house and watched the many movies that the family owned. She read of events such as Mother Theresa winning the Nobel Prize and experienced watching “Star Wars.” Gina thought of how life would be in the United States, away from the martial law in the Philippines. She learned of the numerous opportunities that America offered and even read an article about Disneyland. After numerous trips to Josephina’s house, Gina decided that she would graduate college, become a Registered Nurse, help her family financially, and perhaps go to Disneyland. “Listing my goals and truly believing that I could accomplish them was my turning point,” said Gina. Gina now had a definite plan and was eager to carry it out. Josephina was supportive of Gina and believed in her from the start. “Those are some pretty lofty goals, but I think that you’re just the person to accomplish them,” Josephina told Gina. Motivated by her friend’s words and the desire to give back to her family, Gina delved into her studies with a new sense of excitement. She saw tests and projects as opportunities and stepping stones toward what she wanted to accomplish. Gina continued helping her roommates, thinking that she would help them achieve their goals as well.
After all her hard work, Gina graduated college and began her career as a nurse. Working in a hospital in Manila, Gina knew that the opportunities presented by Philippine hospitals were extremely limited. She realized that she would now have to focus on her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse in order to work abroad. “I know that the Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses is going to be tough but I also know that my experiences and determination will take me where I want to go,” Gina told herself. She reviewed extensively, keeping in mind the goals that she had set for herself, and passed the exam easily.
Now a Registered Nurse, Gina set out to find a job abroad. A job offer from a hospital in Brooklyn, New York presented itself and Gina jumped at the opportunity. “New York is as far as it gets,” said Gina’s father, but he too realized that the offer was too good to decline.
Gina took the job, boarded a plane, and landed in Brooklyn. “I know that I can adjust to life in America, just as I was able to adjust to life in Bacolod City,” Gina said to herself. The work ethic that Gina had developed over the years benefitted her in America. She progressed in her job and currently works as a Case Nurse Manager. She did not forget about her family in the Philippines and continues to lend them a helping hand. Gina did get to visit Disneyland and fondly recalls the experience. She says, “It was unforgettable and everything I imagined it would be.”
Learning about my mother’s journey has given me insight into who she is. I realized that my mother was able to accomplish her goals by drawing upon the lessons she learned while growing up. My mother’s turning point was actually influenced by all she had learned and experienced up to that point. She took her education seriously, took time to take part in recreational activities such as the daily jog that resulted in her friendship with Josephina, and always kept her family in mind. My mother used her experiences to form her own future and her journey shows that our experiences are turning points in the making.