Today, May 11, falls just one day before we head to the polls for the national midterm election, one of the most anticipated elections in recent years. With campaign noise at full volume in the past months, and political debates dominating conversations, our national attention is fixated on the votes that will pick candidates who will shape the country’s future. With that around us, it is easy to overlook another important date on the calendar — Mother’s Day.

But we should not forget that today is Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is not merely a sentimental occasion or a marketing strategy for flowers and chocolates. It is a deeply meaningful reminder of the invaluable role mothers play in the lives of individuals, in communities, and in the nation. If elections are about choosing the leaders we entrust with our future, then Mother’s Day is about honoring those who first gave us life, direction, and strength to pursue that future.

The observance of Mother’s Day in the Philippines dates back to the American colonial period, introduced along with other Western traditions. President Manuel Quezon issued a proclamation in 1921 designating the first Monday of December as Mother’s Day. It was later changed to the second Sunday of May, and remains so to this day. Many countries also mark today as Mother’s Day, making it a global celebration that stirs the commercial world to create more products and services as gifts for this very special woman.

But no matter the date, the heart of the celebration remains the same — to give thanks to the women who shape our lives.

Motherhood is a calling that often demands sacrifice. Many mothers set aside personal dreams and ambitions to focus on raising their children. They give up careers, personal time, and even their health to nurture, protect, and support their families.

A mother’s day doesn’t end at five o’clock; it stretches into sleepless nights with newborns, anxious evenings waiting for teenagers to come home, and quiet hours worrying about the future of their children. Even after the children have left to start their own families, a mother’s heart does not stop, extending help to children’s ventures, and caring for grandchildren.

These sacrifices are rarely recognized with medals or titles, but their impact echoes across generations.

Yet for all they give, mothers ask for little in return. Their greatest reward is often intangible — the joy of seeing their children succeed, the pride when a child accomplishes a goal, and the quiet contentment in watching them grow into good, kind, and responsible people. But just as deeply, mothers feel their children’s pain. When a child fails or is heartbroken, it wounds a mother in ways words cannot describe. They carry both joy and sorrow with grace, always ready to support, never asking for much more than love and respect.

Today, as the nation prepares to cast votes and move forward, let us not forget to pause — if only for a moment — to recognize the silent yet powerful influence of mothers. A heartfelt message, a hug, a phone call, or a simple “thank you” can mean more than any grand gesture. These moments of gratitude matter.

Yes, this weekend is about our collective future. But it should also be about our personal past — and the women who brought us here. Let us celebrate our mothers, not as an afterthought, but with the full recognition of the role they play in shaping the very fabric of our society.

Happy Mother’s Day to all whose influence mold good citizens.