There's more the Maria Ylagan Orosa than banana ketchup. Maria was a badass scientist and a hero who dedicated her life to nourishing a nation. Before the SDGs came in vogue, Maria was already hell-bent in eradicating hunger in the Philippines and she used science to do just that. Throughout her lifetime, she developed 700 recipes that harnessed the abundance of the Philippines' natural resources.
But what I really wanted to share with you all is a closer glimpse at Maria the girl, the overseas Filipino student who worked and studied so far from home. The letter she wrote her mother dated 12 October 1918 is one of my favourites because it shows the bond between Maria and her mother. They never stopped thinking about each other no matter the distance. I found the little details charming such as her anecdotes about life in the US, the parcels Maria's mother sent her, and her genuine excitement for the new job she landed.
In the letter, Maria reminded her mother to take good care of herself and not to stress out too much because health is wealth!
This letter was a joy to translate from the original Tagalog. It was a warm hug on a cold, rainy London day and reminded me so much of my own conversations with my mother.
This is for all mothers on Mother's Day.