Vice Ganda with Nanay Rosario. Screengrab from Vice Ganda’s YouTube channel
Vice Ganda recently gave her mom Rosario several boxes filled with goodies as gift on her 77th birthday, as the “It’s Showtime” host relived the times when he and his siblings would receive balikbayan boxes from their mom who was then working in the United States.
The host-comedian threw a birthday party for his Nanay Rosario, who he also gifted with a bouquet of red flowers, in what appeared to be the penthouse of a hotel in Parañaque, adorned with pink balloons and flowers.
Vice Ganda documented the event in his vlog posted on YouTube, where he recalled that his mother would not forget to send them gift boxes on their birthdays even though she was then miles away from home. Now, it’s her turn to receive a balikbayan box on her birthday, he said.
“Kasi nu’ng mga bata kami tuwing birthday namin si nanay nagpapadala ng package. Ire-relive natin yung mga experience natin dati ‘pag nagbubukas tayo ng package ‘pag nagpapadala si nanay,” Vice Ganda said on his latest Youtube vlog titled “MOMkabogable Birthday Celebration”. (When we were kids during our birthdays mom sends us packages. We will relive that experience before when we open the package when mom sends us one.)
“So, this time, ikaw (Nanay Rosario) naman ‘yung pinadalhan ng package, kasi all your life ikaw ‘yung nagpapadala ng package sa amin. So ngayon, ikaw naman ‘yung pinadalhan ng package for the family,” she added. (So, this time, you will be given a package because all your life you’ve been sending us packages. So now, you will be given a package for your family.)
Nanay Rosario opened boxes upon boxes of gifts such as several pairs of sneakers and other personal items, while some chocolate bars were given away to other family members and “neighbors,” who include comedian Sweet Lapus, who kept egging Vice Ganda to share their presents.
After the unboxing of the package, she read Vice Ganda’s heartfelt letter, which paid tribute to her sacrifices and hard work to help support the family.
Screengrab from Vice Ganda’s YouTube channel
“Dear Nanay, Today is your very special day. I hope you’re having a wonderful time, full of smiles and happy moments. Life hasn’t been very easy for you and the family. But we are very blessed because every single day God gives us many chances to cope, to heal, to survive, to thrive and still enjoy a meaningful life.
“You may be short in height but through the years you stood tall. Today, we thank you. Thank you for all the love. The perseverance to provide for us despite the hardest circumstances. To understand us and to forgive us for all the heartbreaks that we caused you and today we also say sorry for many tears that you shed for us,” the letter read.
Then, Nanay Rosario opened another letter which contained $1,000.
“Wala akong masabi anak. (I can’t say anything my son). I’m speechless. I’m very happy in spite of everything that I’m carrying inside me. I’m so thankful that you still have the time to make me laugh and thank you so much to my four children who are there to give me another strength and reason to wake up in the morning. Thank you. I love you all,” mommy Rosario said in between tears. EDV