ELISEA “BEBET” GILLERA GOZUN
As I grow older, I find myself realizing how much of who I am—and who my children are—can be traced back to my mother. She was not just a parent but a teacher in the truest sense. Her classroom was our home, and her lessons were woven into the way she lived her life.
These are the lessons she passed on to me—truths that continue to guide and inspire me every day.
1. Material things are not important.
Even when we had little, we were content with what we had and never felt envious of others. When we first arrived in Manila from Cebu, we had a dining table with chairs but no sala set. When visitors came, we simply moved the dining chairs to the living room.
We played happily outside with neighbors, had picnics at Luneta, and even swam in Manila Bay. What we had was enough. We never felt lacking.
Mama and Papa showed us that joy comes from gratitude, not possessions. We never craved branded things. To this day, we can be just as happy eating in a carinderia as in a fine dining restaurant.
2. Family is most important.
Mama’s love and loyalty to family knew no bounds. She protected us fiercely, stood by her siblings, and always found ways to help. To her, family was everything.
I remember when my brother came home from school with a red mark on his arm. When Mama asked, he said his teacher had pinched him hard. It infuriated her. The next day, she went straight to the principal’s office and demanded to meet the teacher. When the teacher appeared, Mama told her firmly, “Don’t ever touch my son again.”
When her brother ran for re-election and was struggling against a wealthy opponent, Mama didn’t hesitate to help. She asked the four of us kids if she could open our piggy banks, using our saved coins to support his campaign. We made sandwiches for his poll watchers, hoping that through kindness and shared meals, they would stay loyal and honest.
3. Share with others.
Our home was always open. Relatives and friends from the provinces often stayed with us—crowded rooms filled with laughter, stories, and simple meals.
Sometimes, all six of us would squeeze into Mama and Papa’s room just to make space for guests. Many of our aunts, uncles, and cousins who stayed with us, even briefly, remember those moments with deep fondness.
Now that we are seniors, they often tell us how much those days meant to them. Those shared moments built bonds that still hold us together today.
4. Fight for your principles and what you believe in.
Mama was never afraid to stand up for what was right—even against powerful people. She taught us that courage means standing firm in your beliefs.
When President Carlos P. Garcia appointed her to the Board of Pharmacy of the PRC, the succeeding president, Diosdado Macapagal, voided her appointment as a “midnight” one. Mama disagreed. Against all odds, she challenged the President’s decision in court, hiring the brilliant Atty. Arturo Tolentino to defend her case. To everyone’s surprise, she won.
That victory taught us that one should never yield to injustice, no matter who stands in opposition. That same spirit lives on in us today—as we continue to speak up, protest, and stand for what is right.
5. Strong faith in God.
Mama’s deep faith carried her through every hardship. Her devotions were acts of trust and gratitude, not mere ritual.
Like many Catholic families, we went to Mass on Sundays and holy days. But Mama’s faith went beyond that. On Wednesdays, she brought us to Baclaran for the Mother of Perpetual Help novena. On Thursdays, to St. Jude near Malacañang. On Fridays, to the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.
She would sometimes kneel and walk from the church door to the altar in Quiapo—an offering of sacrifice and thanksgiving for God’s goodness. From her, I learned that faith gives strength when life tests you.
6. Be daring and adventurous.
Mama’s courage and curiosity took her far beyond the familiar. She wasn’t afraid to travel alone, meet new people, or try new things.
After high school, she was all set to go to the U.S. for college, traveling by sea for a month—by herself. She eventually gave it up because her mother couldn’t bear to let her go. Yet that same adventurous spirit remained. She campaigned for her brother in remote areas of Mindanao where she knew no one, trusting completely in God’s protection.
Her bravery, grounded in faith, taught me to face life boldly and trust that God is always there.
7. No half measures.
Whatever Mama did, she did wholeheartedly.
When she fell in love with Hong Kong, she didn’t just visit often—she took Mandarin lessons so she could converse with locals. She passed that same “all-in” attitude to us. When my sister and I took up ballroom dancing, we didn’t stop at casual lessons—we trained with expert teachers to learn proper technique.
Mama taught us that excellence is an act of love: if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
Looking back, I see my mother’s life as one of quiet strength, compassion, and conviction. Her lessons were simple but enduring—lived out in the way she loved, gave, and stood firm in her beliefs.
Though she is no longer with us, her spirit continues to guide us—in every act of kindness, courage, and faith she inspired.