Today marks my mother’s 74th birthday, and as I sit down to write this, I find myself filled with a quiet kind of gratitude. It’s the kind that settles deep inside when you realize how far someone has come and how much they’ve endured just to be here today. My mother has seen more than her share of difficult years, especially in her middle age, yet she has managed to rise above all of it with strength that never fades. Now, as she enjoys the gentler rhythm of her later years, I find comfort knowing her biggest concern these days is not life’s struggles, but something much lighter—her love for SB19 and what the future holds for them.
It still makes me smile how seriously she takes being a fan. While I live here in Germany and she’s back home in the Philippines, I hear stories from my siblings about her late-night habits. They tell me how she often wakes up in the middle of the night to watch or rewatch SB19 performances or to catch up on YouTube videos and K-dramas or C-dramas. Sometimes they’ll find her laughing quietly at the screen or completely absorbed in a concert replay. My siblings would tease her about being more active at night than during the day, and she would just laugh it off. Hearing these stories makes me happy because it shows how much joy she still finds in the simplest things. It gives her something to look forward to, something that keeps her energy alive and her heart young.
There are also times when she switches from fan mode to drama watcher. She dives into K-dramas and C-dramas as if she’s part of the story herself. I find it amazing how she can stay awake until the early hours, completely lost in the world of her favorite characters. She tells us about the plots with so much emotion, as if she’s been living in those moments. I think it’s her way of connecting to life’s joys again after the years that tested her. She may not say it often, but I know those quiet nights spent watching dramas and performances give her peace, joy, and a sense of belonging.
When I look back at the hardships she faced before, I realize how much she has changed. There was a time when life seemed to weigh her down. There were losses, sacrifices, and endless responsibilities that often left her tired. But she carried on, always putting others first, never once complaining that the road was too long. Now, seeing her smile again, hearing her laugh at a scene from a drama or cheer during an SB19 concert video, I can’t help but feel proud of her resilience. She has rebuilt her happiness in her own way, on her own terms.
Lately, I’ve been trying to arrange her visa so she can come back here to Germany. I miss her, and I know she misses being here too to spend with my daughter. I’m hopeful that the process will go smoothly, and that she’ll be able to return either later this year or early next year. I can already imagine her sitting by the window here, watching the snow fall, holding a warm cup of coffee while streaming another performance, or simply enjoying playing with my daughter. I know she would enjoy seeing new places, trying German pastries again, and simply being surrounded by family. The thought of her being here again brings me warmth even before it happens.
As she turns 74, I can only pray that God continues to bless her with good health and strength. Age may slow the body, but her spirit remains as lively as ever. I hope she continues to find joy in the things she loves and that she always feels surrounded by love, no matter where she is. She deserves many more birthdays filled with laughter, comfort, and the little pleasures that make life beautiful.
Sometimes I catch myself wondering what drives her love for SB19 so deeply. Maybe it’s because she sees in them the same kind of perseverance she had all her life. They work hard, they face struggles, and they keep moving forward with hope. Perhaps watching them reminds her that even through life’s trials, passion and purpose can carry us through. And perhaps, in some small way, they’ve given her a new chapter to enjoy—a chapter where she’s not burdened by the past but uplifted by the joy of music, stories, and connection.
I often think about how I want her to feel celebrated not just today but every day. I want her to know that she has done more than enough, that her love has shaped the lives of those around her, and that she is deeply appreciated. Her journey has not been easy, but it has been meaningful. Her strength has been quiet, but it has never gone unnoticed.
So today, I celebrate her—my mother, my hero, my constant reminder that love and resilience never grow old. Happy 74th birthday, Mama! May the years ahead bring you endless peace, good health, and joy that never fades. May God watch over you always and grant you many more mornings filled with music, stories, and the comfort of knowing you are deeply loved.
