DUBAI: Nanay Florencia, as she is fondly referred to, burst into tears on stage watching something on the screen, forgetting about the crowd in front of her.
“Sobrang na surprise talaga ako,” said 62-year-old Florencia Respende. The video was showing her youngest daughter giving an emotionally uplifting speech about how they were raised by their mom, how loving and kind she has been, and how the daughter hopes to one day be as good as her.
Rewind a bit: A few hours earlier that Friday in May this year, Nanay Florencia was brought by her husband Cholito, son Ace and daughter-in-law, Jaezel to the Philippine Consulate General. She had no idea what was going on and thought nothing of it.
Unbeknownst to her, PCG was hosting Ulirang Ina Awards as part of its Mothers Day celebrations and she has been nominated by Ace to receive a commendation.
And so there she was just quietly sitting on a corner with her significant half when she was called on stage.
Hailing from Sta.Rosa Laguna, Nanay Florencia took her first airplane ride bravely to the UAE to nanny her grandchild, Ace’s and Jaezel’s son.
In tears, Nanay Florencia said “Di ko inakala na mabibigyan ako ng award. Ika-37th anniversary din naming ng asawa ko kaya sobrang saya ko.”
