Image: Instagram/@missizacalzado
The Philippines celebrated Independence Day yesterday, but for Iza Calzado, June 12 is extra special for a personal reason.
Calzado remembered her late mother’s birthday in an Instagram post made yesterday. The 35-year-old actress shared an old photo of her mom, Mary Ann, enjoying a boat ride.
The actress acknowledged her beautiful mom’s condition — Mary Ann had manic depression, and was later diagnosed as bipolar.
Calzado regrets, “I wish I understood her better but I was too young and uninformed.”
“There are so many discussions that need to happen around mental health…,” the actress said. She also urged other people to “…use your story to help others in creating awareness and breaking the stigma around this issue.”
Calzado ended her post with a joyful remembrance of her mom, “Happy Birthday, Mama! You will always be special in my eyes and the true star in the family!”
Several of her celebrity friends also greeted her mom, and rallied behind her stand for mental health awareness.
Actor-entrepreneur Marvin Agustin simply gave his birthday greeting.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@missizacalzado
Singer Zia Quizon thought that Calzado’s post was “absolutely lovely.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@missizacalzado
Jackie Forster agreed that mental health “shouldn’t be a taboo!,” adding: “That’s the irony though, right? The more we SHOULD talk about it.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@missizacalzado
And celebrity stylist Liz Uy expressed love for her post with three heart emoji.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@missizacalzado
Aside from enduring her mental condition, Mary Ann also suffered from cancer and died due to the disease in 2001. JB
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