Our Queen of Hearts – Celebrating you, Mamila!

Before I got married, someone wise and wonderful told me that you can tell your own mom “no,” but you can’t say that to your mother-in-law.

But I struck lucky. I'm truly blessed because you, Mamila, are the kindest, most humble, and most loving mother-in-law anyone could ask for! You never insist on your way, you are always there to support, you respect how I raise my kids, and I am so grateful for that.

You grew up in a big family with very little, and life was very hard. You had to leave home when you were just a teenager so you wouldn’t starve to death. But you didn’t just survive — you worked hard so your siblings could have a better life too.

You didn’t let life stop you. You went on to college and became a woman of grace and strength. You built a business with your husband and created a good life for your children. Then, when he passed away too soon, you didn’t give up. You stood strong. You raised your family alone, with love and faith.

Now, after all these years, you are still the heart of our family. You don’t ask for attention, but everyone looks up to you. You are a quiet leader, a woman of faith, always taking care of the people around you.

There are two things about you that I love the most.

One is how you hum while you work. Whether you are cooking, cleaning, or just moving around the house, you always have a little tune. It is the sound of love, the sound of a mother’s heart taking care of her family.

The other is from when my husband was still courting me. You added me on Facebook, and I was surprised — and honestly, kilig! At that time, hindi ko pa sinagot si Nel but was special enough to him that you got to know about me. That moment stayed with me. But what made it even more special was when you called me “Joy.”

Before that, I didn’t like being called Joy — it felt too common. But when you said it, it felt different. It felt warm. It felt like it belonged to me. Since then, I have loved being called Joy, and I have you to thank for that.

And so, on your special day, in the month of celebrating love, we honour our Queen of Hearts.

Born in February, you have always ruled with love, grace, and kindness. Not with power or words, but with the quiet strength that holds this family together. You love without limits. You serve without asking for anything in return. And you remind us, every day, of what it truly means to have a mother’s heart.

Today, on your birthday, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for everything you have done for your family.

Thank you for your strength, your love, and your faith.

Thank you for being the best mother-in-law I could ask for.

Thank you for making me feel like family.

And most of all, thank you for raising the man I get to love and discover every day.

It has been 11 years and, after my dad, he is still the best man I have ever known. He is not perfect — none of us are — but I see you in him, in his quiet acts of love, in the way he puts family first, in the way he carries strength without needing to say a word. He is who he is because of you, and for that, I will always be grateful.

But it’s not just him. You didn’t just raise a good man — you raised an incredible family.

Your children are some of the best people I have ever known.

I never had brothers growing up, but now, because of you, I have the best brothers I could have ever wished for. My brothers-in-law are the brothers I never had. They are kind, supportive, and wonderful in their own ways, and I feel so lucky to call them family. That is because of you. You raised them with love, faith, and strength, and I see your heart in all of them.

And just as your sons carry your quiet strength, your daughters reflect your grace and kindness.

My sisters-in-law are every bit as loving and humble as you are: virtuous, noble, kind, and beautiful women. They embody the same warmth, generosity, and faith that make this family so special. I see you in them, in the way they care for those around them, in their patience, in their strength. It is an honour to be their sister.

And beyond our family, you did something even more special — you you embraced my family, too.

You are a wonderful balae to my parents, always appreciative and full of warmth. You didn’t just welcome me; you welcomed them, making them feel like part of your own family. I see it in the way you give way for them, letting them carry my child so they get extra cuddles, always thinking of their joy. Not every mother-in-law would do that, but you do — because you are someone who loves without limits. And for that, I thank you.

You are, and always will be, the heart of the Eballena clan.

Happy birthday, Mamila! We love you more than words can say.

Ma, salamat kaayo sa imong gugma ug pag-amuma. Kanunay namong giila nga among Queen of Hearts. Palangga ka namo!