Gretchen Ho and her mom Annie Ho are tightly bonded as best friends. Who knew they once had to overcome a bumpy episode in their lives as mother and daughter.
As a working parent, Annie Ho had felt guilty to see her only daughter Gretchen growing up in the care of her yaya.
"Ayaw nga niya matulog sa 'min, gusto pa nga niya si yaya," Annie told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the launch of Sofitel Philippine Plaza's newest food selections for Spiral buffet.
She further confided, "Alam mo kasi nun, guilty din ako in a way because I was a working mom."
Annie said it pained her when Gretchen, already a teenager, had seemed distant from her.
Busy as she was at work, she resolved to break down the wall that was building between them.
"I think she was in second year high school, konti-konti ko… kumbaga, gumawa ako ng paraan.
"Tried to communicate with her para maging mas close kami, dun nagsimula.
"Kasi isa na nga lang babae ko, bakit hindi pa close sa 'kin?"
Annie's effort paid off, as Gretchen recounted, "Before kasi, nakikita mo yung difference, e. Hindi siya masyado nakikinig dati.
"When she started communicating with me more, like listening to me, I could feel when I explained myself to her, she would understand.
"She would always give us advice."
As an adult, Gretchen has become more appreciative of her mother, her "best friend," as she described Annie.
"Because we tell each other almost everything, we're there for each other, sisters," she said.
"Nakakatuwa lang kasi parang we're enjoying ourselves more, our company."
Meanwhile, pleased as Punch, Annie intoned, "Natutuwa ako kasi nakikita ko naman yung mga advice nabibinigay ko sa kanya.
"'Tapos yung mga values na na-instill ko sa kanya nung maliit pa siya, nakikita ko naman na nando'n, e.
"'Yan yung pinakaimportante sa 'kin e yung tamang values and principles.
"And then nakikita ko naman na na-imbibe niya, I'm happy.
"I see that she's becoming a God-fearing person, number one kasi sa 'kin yun.
"Being unselfish, thinking of other people other than yourself.
"Okay na ako, kasi yun yung pinaka-basic sa tao."