EXCLUSIVE from Filipino Celebrity Headlines Examiner, LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Solely raised by remarkable women ? Congressman Manny Dapidran Pacquiao, international Youtube sensation Charice Relucio Pempengco and Binibining Pilipinas Universe Maria Venus Bayonito Raj. Aling Dionesia, Mommy Raquel and Esther have done one thing in common ? they have raised champions, on their own, as solo parents. For all the sacrifices, for the love they have shared, they deserve every honor and every joy of being the mother of a national pride.
World boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon to Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao. When his parents separated when he was in the sixth grade, his mother Aling Dionesia tried to raise Manny and his five siblings on her own.
In his desire to help his mother raise their family, the Pacman would step up into the boxing ring on Sundays when he was still 12 years old. Due to extreme poverty, Manny dropped out of high school and left for Manila where he moved on as an under-aged professional.
Now Aling Dionesia shows off her house, her cars, designer dresses and expensive jewelry, all given to her by her seven-division world champion and lawmaker son. She has appeared in television commercials playing the role she does well ? the mother of the Pacman.
International singing sensation Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco ?Charice? was born on May 10, 1992 in Laguna, Philippines. Charice and her younger brother, Carl, were raised solely by their mother after they left their father when Charice was still three years old. Charice started helping out Mommy Raquel raise the family when she began competing in amateur singing contests at age seven. She joined ABS-CBN?s Little Big Star hosted by pop princess Sarah Concepcion in 2005 where she ended up 3rd Honor.
Charice inherited her powerful singing voice from Mommy Raquel. Now the Little Wonder struts the world with her mother by her side ? as it should be, where she always has been for Charice.
2010 Miss Universe top choice Maria Venus Bayonita Raj was born out of wedlock on July 7, 1988 in Doha, Qatar to a Filipino mother and an Indian father. When her parents separated, her mother Esther Bayonito brought her home to Bato, Camarines Sur in Bicol, Philippines. For more than 20 years, tenant farmer and dressmaker Esther raised the reigning Binibining Pilipinas Universe in a nipa hut in the middle of a rice field with no electricity.
Maria Venus Raj started joining beauty contests when she reached 17 years old. She was able to buy land on installment basis for her mother with her major victories. She graduated cum laude from the Bicol University in Albay with a Bachelor?s Degree in Communications Arts, major in Journalism. She later joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V while working as a part-time fashion model.
Venus Raj has this to say about her mother, Esther, ?My mom is a very strong woman. She raised us [five brother and sisters] alone. She is my mother, my father, my cousin, everything and because of her, she taught me things you will never learn in school. She taught me to respect people because you cannot expect them to respect you if you do not respect them; you have to love yourself; and to always give. These are just some of the things she taught me.?
The Pacman, Charice, and Venus Raj hurdled the challenges they faced ? Pacman after his first professional loss, Charice when she lost to Sam Concepcion, and Venus Raj when she was dethroned. But as real champions, they rose from their losses. They have fought their way out of poverty and have given their nation pride. They worked their way up with their families in mind. They each have that one person as inspiration.
