My mom, Mama Rose, stands at 5 feet tall and embodies the spirit of a true Ilocana. She is frugal, resilient, and has a deep love for her gulay (vegetables) and fish. Though she is quiet and often shy when complimented on her beauty, her strength shines through in every aspect of her life. She is the kind of person who, even though she is in deep suffering, is always positive and brave.

Mom often downplays her intelligence, claiming she doesn’t know English. Yet, she is incredibly smart and speaks English. Through unwavering determination, love and many hardships, she helped bring all of her 5 siblings: tita Gemma, tita Haide, tito Robert, tito George, and tito Israel and her mom, Lola Glorina to the United States in search of a better life. She also loves her dad, Lolo Oscar, and her half-sister Tita Jiggy.

For 18 years, she dedicated herself to three jobs. During the day, she worked 8 hours at Alaska and Proud Market, where she stood at the produce section, stocking fresh fruits and vegetables while also making her famous Rosey’s salsa and Rosey’s avocado. Then, after a long day, she would come home to prepare for another 8-hour night shift at McDonald’s, where she worked tirelessly in the hot kitchen, flipping patties.

Her third job was one that never truly ended. In between her work hours, she embraced her responsibilities as a mother and wife with unwavering love. Every day, she prepared meals for her two children and her husband, Danilo, all while managing household chores like cleaning and laundry. She did all of this without complaint, showcasing her love, strength, and resilience.

She is a super mom and super wife, providing for her daughters, Mercy and Mary Rose, while also supporting her husband, Danilo, throughout the years. In addition to her many responsibilities, she even conquered her fear and anxiety of driving because, as she told me a few years back, “Ayaw nyo maglakad at mag bus para pumunta sa school, so pinilit ko matuto para sa manga anak ko, (you both didn’t want to walk or take the bus to school, so I pushed myself to learn for my children).”

Her determination and love shine through in everything she does.

Despite her hardships as a mom and a wife, she loves her children and her husband.

She is beautiful inside and out. She is the kind of person who keeps to herself most of the time but loves the company of her family and engaging conversations. She loves jokes, is competitive at games like cards, mini golf, Jenga, and Battleship. She has a contagious smile and laugh. She is a member of MCGI, Church of God, dedicated to her worship services. She loves nature, long walks, and is never afraid to try something new, but when she eats something new, she always says that she can make it better. I believe it.

She is an amazing woman, wife, daughter, friend, co worker, sister, mother-in-law, grandma or as Sofie calls her, MAMALA: most of all, she is the most precious mom. She is sweet, kind, god-fearing, hard-working, independent, headstrong, generous, and so full of love; that’s my mom, Rosemarie Flores, 58 years old.

We will forever love you and pass on the love you taught us to your grandkid(s).