Single moms behind world-famous athletes

Mommy Dionisia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Representative Manny Pacquiao and Kevin Durant are the top athletes in their respective sports right now, and behind their successful careers are their doting mothers who have been with them through their lowest points and the apex of their professions.

Dionisia Pacquiao, 64, in a radio interview on Thursday described how tough it was raising Manny and her five other children especially after her husband Rosalio left them.

“Ako lang nagtaguyod sa mga anak ko. Ako ang naging father and mother sa mga anak ko,” Dionisia said.

(I was the only one who raised my children. I served as their father and mother.)

“Nu’ng iniwan ako ng aking asawa, sobrang kayod ako. Single mom ako,” she added.

(When my husband left me, I worked extra hard. I was a single mom.)

Dionisia said she was close to Manny because he would help her do household chores.

“Si Manny lang ang anak kong lalaking marunong maglaba,” Dionisia said.

(Manny is my only son who knows how to wash clothes.)

Meanwhile, during his emotional speech as he was awarded as NBA’s 2014 MVP Wednesday (Manila time), Oklahoma City Thunder forward Durant tearfully thanked his mother Wanda Pratt for sacrificing a lot as a single mother.

“We weren’t supposed to be here. You made us believe, you kept us off the street. You put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You’re the real MVP,” Durant told his mother, the two of them crying.

Dionisia said that while life may be difficult for single mothers, they should never give up, and instead remain steadfast.

“Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Kapit sa Panginoon, magdasal,” Dionisia told other single moms.

(Never lose hope. Hold on to God, and pray.)

“Sana ang pagmamahal nila, ang mga anak nila, hindi nila pabayaan. Ako ang model nila sa pagkananay. Kahit mahirap, hindi sumusuko sa kahirapan,” Dionisia added.

(I hope that they never neglect their love and their children. I should be their model as a mother. Even if I experienced a lot of difficulties, I never gave up.)

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