A Tribute to My Mother on International Women’s Day | Amplify with Angie

On this International Women’s Day, I honor a woman whose strength, selfless love, and sacrifices defined her life—my mother, Citabelle Bautista Allen Quadra.

She was more than a mother. She was a pillar of resilience, a nurturer of many, a leader in her community, and a servant of God. Through every trial she faced, she chose to love, to give, and to stand strong—not just for her own family, but for many others whose lives she touched.

Her journey was one of hardship, perseverance, and unconditional love, and today, I share her story as a testament to the power of a woman who never gave up. 

A Childhood of Sacrifice and Strength

Born on April 25, 1937, in Kawit, Cavite, my mother was the eldest of her siblings. From a young age, she learned what it meant to carry the weight of responsibility.

Her mother, Natividad Bautista, passed away when she was still very young, leaving her to take on the role of both mother and father to her younger siblings. Her birth father, Crispulo Juanillo, had moved back to his hometown in the Visayas when Nanay City was younger, and later Lola Naty married and her children were adopted by American singer, Larry Allen. But the promised life overseas never materialized up to Lola Naty’s passing and so Nanay remained in the Philippines to fend for herself and raise her siblings on her own.

She did not have the luxury of a carefree childhood. She was forced to grow up too soon, to fight for survival, and to become the protector of her family. Yet, despite the hardships, she never abandoned her duty to her loved ones.

Life of Sacrifices for Family

Determined to build a future for herself and her family, my mother pursued Nursing at Far Eastern University in Manila. She was poised to intern at St. Luke’s Medical Center, but fate had other plans.

When her mother passed away, she had to give up her own dreams to care for her siblings. She set aside her education and embraced a lifetime of sacrifices—a decision that would shape the rest of her life.

She married Marcelino Quirino Quadra of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and together, they raised five children. But even after building a family of her own, her heart remained open to others in need.

When one of her brothers passed away, she took in and raised his two orphaned children as her own, making sure they had a home, an education, and a future. She worked tirelessly, using her own resourcefulness to provide—selling food, clothes, and whatever else she could to support her family.

She did all of this without complaint, without expecting anything in return. Because for her, family always came first. I remember her telling me she did not want her own children to be at a loss the way it happened to her when she lost her own mother. And so she raised us to be independent, resourceful, and strong like her.

A Leader in Her Community

Her strength and dedication extended beyond her own household—she became a leader in her community as most of her own children had grown up

She actively participated in and led several socio-civic organizations, including:

– Kawit Drug Referral Treatment Center, which she pioneered for Cavite province to help victims of drug abuse. She continued being its leader volunteer counselor until her last days. My Nanay Cita became tech-savvy and took to social media to bring her counseling online via Facebook. This expertise brought her service nationwide through the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Dasmarinas City government.
– Family Planning Organization of the Philippines
– Balikatan sa Kaunlaran
– Kawit Credit Cooperative
– Parent Teacher Association of Aguinaldo Elementary School and its popular dance troupe

As she grew older and more reflective, she joined and led various lay organizations of what is now known as the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Kawit, including:

– Catholic Women’s League
– Mother Butler’s Guild
– Lectors/Commentators
– Social Action Group

Much later in her life she joined the Senior Citizens group in the adjacent barangay where we lived. She dreamed of setting up a Seniors’ House near the Kawit church—a place where the elderly could gather after attending mass, share stories, eat together, sing, play games, and even dance.

Her dream remains unrealized, but it is now my own dream—to build the Senior Citizen house she envisioned, a place of joy, companionship, and community for the elderly.

Her Final Years and Unbreakable Spirit

For the last decades of her life, my mother endured chronic pain, due to a leg injury that forced her to stop her church activities, and a heart condition that made her more careful about what she eats, yet she remained steadfast in her devotion to her loved ones and her responsibilities. Nanay Cita, despite difficulties of moving around, kept visiting her children and remaining friends.

In one of our recent conversations while I was giving her a back massage, Nanay said she had not done enough for her children to live good lives and that she failed as a mother, which I countered on behalf of my brothers – she has done more than enough raising her children and even grandchildren to be good people, I assured her. I hope she was pacified somehow, knowing she accomplished her duty as a nanay and lola.

In one of her last messages on the family group chat, Nanay shared a video with these words:

To my Children

Sometimes it’s hard to find words to tell you how much YOU MEAN TO ME. A lot of times I don’t say anything at all. But I hope someday, you’ll understand that THE LOVE I HAVE FOR YOU will never change. As each day goes by, I WILL LOVE YOU TIL MY LAST BREATH. I love you forever and always.”

On February 25, 2025, at the age of 87, she left this world the same way she lived in it—a fighter, a provider, a mother to many.

Her Legacy Lives On

As we grieve, we also celebrate the immeasurable impact she left behind.

Her love, resilience, and faith live on in us—her five children, her twelve grandchildren, and the many people whose lives she changed.

And so, on this International Women’s Day, I honor my mother as a true embodiment of strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love. She was a woman who gave everything for others, without hesitation, without regret.

To Nanay Cita—your life was a testament to the boundless power of a woman’s love and devotion.

We, your children and your family, will continue your legacy of love and service—until we meet again.

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Source: Good News Pilipinas