Amalia, Liezl kiss and make up

MAMA Nena and Liezl at the birthday party

My “second mom,” Amalia Fuentes, celebrated her 72nd birthday at Barrio Fiesta on Aug. 27. It was an intimate gathering of family and close friends, devoid of show biz fanfare which made the occasion more meaningful.

“I’ve never felt as loved as I do tonight,” Mama Nena gushed. “Everyone close to my heart is present.”

Her party turned out to be extra special because her granddaughter, Alyanna, had just recovered after several weeks of hospital confinement.

A concelebrated thanksgiving Mass was presided over by the Muhlachs’ favorite priest and Mama Nena’s confessor, Father Armand Tangi, with Fr. Ted Lopez and Fr. Joey Tuazon.

The birthday girl was misty-eyed during her speech after the Mass: “My heart is overflowing with joy. After all the trials … that my daughter Liezl and I have gone through, all the wounds are healed.”

Having been privy to their colorful and dramatic mother-daughter saga, I’m more than happy that Mama Nena and Liezl are again closer than ever.

The recent death of Joey Stevens (Liezl’s stepdad who loved her like his own), Liezl’s bout with cancer (which she has triumphed over), and the show biz  squabble Mama Nena is embroiled in can be too much to handle. But these storms have stabilized their roller-coaster relationship.

‘Just my mom’

“Family is family talaga,” Mama Nena said. “Liezl and I patched things up when things got rough. Her support gives me all the strength that I need. So, even if I’m facing a show biz war,

Fashionable mom and little daughter wear matching outfits

nobody can harm me because I have Liezl, my apos and entire clan behind me.”

Liezl echoed those sentiments: “I wish my mom the best of health always. I’ve come to realize that the most important things in life are family and good health. I love her very much and will always be behind her, no matter what.”

On Liezl’s Facebook page, she posted this greeting that read in part: “At the end of the day, I am still proud of how you raised me … and gave me all the best things that you could! I got my love for travel from you … fighting for family, and of course my love for water. Elizabeth Taylor of the Philippines … Queen of Philippine movies … you are still just my one and only mama … I am so lucky to have you!”

Mama Nena and Liezl have come to look more and more like each other. And now they also feel and think the same way, which makes them understand each other better. From now on, they may just be arguing about who loves the other more.