Pinoy Life
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives Featuring the astonishing and inspiring stories of everyday heroes
Mama Ching: Beloved Filipina, Pearl of the Orient
O
n June 12, Filipinos all over the world
and to not be envious of others. For Mama Ching, it was
will celebrate 113 years of Philippines
important to forward these values unto her own family.
independence. For one day many Filipinos
Mama Ching recalled a time when one of her daughters
will wave flags and wear shirts boasting
wanted a new pair of shoes. She remembers saying to her
Filipino pride only to remove those shirts and put away
“Your shoes are still good. Remember those people begging
those flags the rest of the year. However, for one Filipino
at Quiapo marketplace? They have no shoes. But you have
named Consolacion ‘Ching’ Quejas, otherwise known as
shoes. You have classmates who go barefoot, but you have
Mama Ching, every day is dedicated to finding ways of
shoes to go to school. You are lucky”.
celebrating and advocating for Filipino pride. Mama Ching also emphasized the value of education with her
Being a student of life
family. She not only said this to her children but showed them
Born in Currimao, Illocos Norte, Mama Ching knew early in
in practice through going back to school with her daughter to
life that there were those who were born well-off and those
become a lawyer: “My eldest was even my classmate at the UP
who were not. Mama Ching knew her family was part of
(University of Philippines). To me education is a continuing
those who were not. Because of this, Mama Ching’s parents
process. It’s a lifetime process.” When there is a will, Mama
taught her to be humble, to be grateful for what they had
Ching always certainly made the way.
22 TAHANAN