As Expo Mom celebrates its tenth year, the longest running event of its kind pays tribute to #TeamMoms that have served as a lifeline for mothers all over the Philippines. Here, two sisters share their motherhood journey with each other, making the adventure less challenging and a lot more fun.
There is nothing quite as intimate as growing up with another person. Because you knew each other from when you were still little, you are naturally privy to one another’s likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests, quirks and temperaments, goals and ambitions. Janice Villanueva, founder of Mommy Mundo, and Jaymie Pizarro, publisher of The Bull Runner, are sisters.
“I’m four years older than Jaymie,” says Janice.
Jaymie corrects Janice: “Five years older.”
Janice asks, “Five years?”
Jaymie insists, “Yes, five years. What year were you born?”
Finally, it dawns on Janice that she is five years older than Jaymie, and she ends up laughing.
“I do that all the time ‘no?”
It is moments like this which Janice and Jaymie’s friendship so precious. As Janice says, “We grew up together. We grew up as playmates. We also grew up as frenemies, fighting for toys.”
Jaymie says, “Janice has always been my ate, my Ate Nice. Growing up, she’s always been motherly.”
Jaymie recalls how Janice would always watch out for her when they were in school and when they started working. But as the sisters grew older, their relationship began to change. From one sibling watching over another, it became two women having each others’ back. When they eventually became mothers, they naturally became each other’s #TeamMom.