Meralco Bolts stalwart Chris Newsome celebrates his mom, Carmelita, as Mother's Day draws near.
Oh, to be rewarded with more time to spend with your loved ones.
That's what Meralco star and Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Chris Newsome looks forward to when his mom Carmelita, who is working in the US, retires from work.
Newsome cherishes his bonding moments with her since childhood, and aims to add more now that he is a grownup who is about to marry the love of his life and build a family of his own.
One Sports chats with Newsome to talk about his relationship with his mom as Mother's Day draws near.
One Sports: What’s your mom’s name? How old is she?
Chris Newsome: My mom’s Carmelita Newsome. She has just turned 63.
OS: Are you close to your mom? Can you describe your relationship?
Newsome: Yes. Of course, we’re close. The distance kind of makes things hard for us because she is still working in the States.
We talk often. We definitely talk about the relationship we have because that’s what got me here. Without my mom, I don’t think I would be here. She definitely motivated me. She gave me an inspiration for me to want to represent my family, my Duque side, Tomas side — that’s from Ilocos.
I’m so proud to be here today because of my mom and my grandparents. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to: the day my mom retires. So, that way, she will be able to come here in the Philippines, spend more time here.
I’m about to get married, so she’s coming here for the wedding and it’s going to be nice to have her here. I’m excited for her to just come out and really enjoy herself without having the pressure of having to get back home to work. She can just be here and really relax and enjoy her time. I'm looking forward to that, and I can’t wait to see my mom.
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OS: What are your favorite bonding moments with your mom?
Newsome: Probably the first time we came here to the Philippines. That’s one of my favorites. She was telling me a lot of stories when she was growing up here.
I would say another one was when I went home in 2015. It was just my mom there and I really got to spend [time] with her. We went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I was able to vlog it. I have a vlog on my YouTube channel. I get to rewatch that and relive those moments with my mom.
I hold that special moment close to my heart because that was something we always used to do as children. That was the first time I got to go with just me and her.
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OS: What are your favorite memories of her so far?
Newsome: Best memory of my mom... Probably the first time I took her to Boracay. We did parasailing. That was something she had never done before. She really enjoyed that. For me to be able to see how much she enjoyed, that meant the world to me.
OS: Give a message for your mom by filling in the blanks.
Thank you, Mom, for ______.
Newsome: Thank you, Mom, for the love and support. You’ve loved me and supported me since Day 1, drove me to all my practices, brought me all my shoes just so I can practice. Of course, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, so thank you, Mama.
OS: Sorry, Mom, for ______.
Newsome: Sorry for the time that we missed together. Of course, it’s not anyone’s fault. My job being here in the Philippines, yours being in the States, which caused us to miss a lot of time together. I’m excited for you to retire so, that way, we can regain a lot of that time and have a lot more memories to hold and cherish for the future.
OS: I love you, Mom, because ______.
Newsome: I love you, Mom, because you are unconditionally loving, and you are willing to give without expecting anything in return. I’ve seen you give to so many people, and you never asked for anything in return. I appreciate your heart, I appreciate the love you have for others and [the love] you continue to show.