One thing we can be sure of is our mothers have done their best to support us during our childhood, through the highs and lows of our teenage years, as well as being supportive and giving advise during adulthood. 

AL DIA News talked with several Latinos around Philadelphia and asked them to give us a memory or two about their mothers and how these memories have followed them throughout their lives.

Alicia Kerber-Palma – Head Counsul, Counsul of Mexico

My mother always taught me to negotiate because she always told me, “You know that you have the “NO”. You must fight for the “YES” If you want something you have to convince me why you want it.”  That has been very helpful to me as a lawyer on a daily basis because we negotiate a lot.  I would like to teach my daughters how to fight for their rights, to always make their voices heard, and to never feel that can’t do anything they dream of doing.

Carlos Torres – Media Coordinator – Counsul of Mexico

When I was 10 years old, I used to take English courses in Polanco, Mexico that was close to the company where my mother worked.  When my courses finished for the day, I went to see my mother at her office. I would see her at her desk as a super businesswoman.  She was really successful. She would tell me all the time to always look into improving and getting better.  I always felt proud seeing my mother very empowered while she introduced me to her coworkers and bosses.  I was very grateful that my mother pushed me to bring the best out of myself.

Captain Javier Rodriguez – 25^th District Philadelphia Police Department

Where I grew up around Howard & Somerset Sts. we didn’t have a car.  We used to walk everywhere. Whether it was Hunting Park or Kensington, wherever she had to go she would take us with her.  Also the way my mother taught me how to be respectful towards people and how to treat them. One thing that stuck in my mind was one day I was walking with her and she gave me a piece of gum and I threw the wrapper on the floor.  She stopped me and told me “You don’t litter! Pick it up!” so I put it in my pocket. To this day whenever I, or my wife does the laundry, I go in my pocket and pull out what trash I have if I don’t find a trashcan.

Officer Albert Cruz – Community Relations Officer, 25^th District Philadelphia Police Department

The one memory that comes to mind was right before my son was born.  My mom was so nervous you would have thought that I was the one giving birth. She was calling me frequently, going to the department store and buying stuff for him, Just making sure we were prepared for when he arrived.  She is always the type to be prepared for everything. She went above and beyond to where our whole bedroom was filled with things for my son. There were things we never used or needed she just kept bringing more stuff.  My mother was also real independent. Even though my father was there, he worked a lot so she managed everything, especially now as she is older.  From the time she wakes up at 4am until the time she goes to bed I wonder where she gets the strength?

Asdrey Irizarry – Director of Education, Taller Puertorriqueno

I remember when I was little I remember her cooking and she bought me a plastic cooking set with a stove. Whatever she was cooking she would give me a little rice so I could cook it on my stove. There was a bond that we had. When she would add ingredients to her cooking, I would be doing the same thing. She is my number one fan.  Even though she was in Puerto Rico right now, she is always there to cheer me up and she is my best friend. I’m blessed to talk to her at least three times a day.  My mom always told me that if I was having a bad day or any of the children that I teach to, there is something behind it so try to find out what it is. She also said, “A hug can fix alot”. So I make sure that I hug every kid when they arrive and when they leave.

Daniel Claudio – Maintenance, Taller Puertorriqueno

I remember my mother’s cooking and when she used to take me and my brothers every morning to school in Catano, Puerto Rico.  She would make breakfast every morning and help us get dressed and push us to get ready for school. I always called my mother “Mi Gata de Ojos Verde” because of her big, bright, green eyes.  She is 71 years old right now and she has dementia so my love for her is that much special. Whenever I see her I always say “my green eyed cat” and she always smiles back at me.

Louis Rodriguez – President, Rodriguez Consulting

When people ask me how I became an engineer when I was confused on what I wanted to do, I consulted with my mother and she told me “ You are going to Weidner University and you are going to be a Civil Engineer”. The rest was history.  She was always my biggest champion.  I was motivationally challenged in Junior High School and High School.  My mom was always the one who would stick by me and I tried to stay focused and she always gave me good advice.  She was my first true mentor.  My mother was a very honest person, extremely hard working, and had a lot of integrity.  I try to pass that down to my kids.

Rebecca Cruz-Esteves - Coordinator & Special Projects, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

When you are a kid you really don’t appreciate your parents as much, but when you get older especially when they are not around you start remembering things. When I use to come home everyday from school when I was in Puerto Rico my mother would always have dinner ready when I walked in. Even though that might be something small is was so big for me.  She was religious also so my mother taught me to pray every night and put her had on my head. Till this day I always pray every evening.