I. 💔 The Heavy Burden of a Son
Senator Robin Padilla, renowned for his ‘Action King’ status and his powerful, often controversial, presence in the political arena, recently revealed a deeply personal and heartbreaking struggle that has shaken his usually impenetrable facade. In a candid and emotional interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on October 28th, the public servant opened up about the devastating impact of his mother, Eva Cariño Padilla’s, battle with advanced dementia.
The Senator, who was joined by his wife, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, during the interview, confessed that his heart is “durog na durog” (completely crushed) as he watches his fiercely strong mother become increasingly vulnerable and consumed by her illness. His voice, usually booming with conviction, was reportedly choked with emotion as he detailed the pain of witnessing his mother’s deterioration.
Dementia, a cruelly progressive neurological disorder, has stripped Eva Cariño of her ability to retain present moments. Most painfully, according to her son, the illness has caused her to vividly remember only the negative and traumatic events of the past. This selective and painful memory recall results in agonizing emotional distress, causing her to cry incessantly.
“My mother is different now, and it is so painful for us to see our mother so frail and weak,” Senator Padilla shared. “She has dementia, so sometimes she forgets who she is. She forgets where she is. The only thing she remembers is all the pain. Just earlier, from last night until this morning, she was crying and crying.”
II. 🎶 Finding Solace in Shared History
The relentless cycle of grief and confusion experienced by Mommy Eva has created a difficult environment for the family. Robin revealed the constant weeping is due to the painful memories that the disease forces her to replay. It is in these moments of helplessness that the Senator and his family, especially his wife Mariel, have found unique, therapeutic ways to bring his mother temporary peace.
“She cries non-stop because everything she remembers is painful,” the Senator explained. The solution, Mariel suggested, lies in engaging with the memories that still spark joy. Music has become their most potent medicine.
“What you have to do, as Mariel suggested, is sing the songs she remembers,” he shared. Specifically, he mentioned the classic Filipino song “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (Will You Remember?). This song, and others from her youth, are tied to the “good memories” she shared with his late father. When those particular songs are sung to her, Mommy Eva, momentarily escaping the shadow of her disease, breaks into a rare, precious smile.
This small act highlights the immense effort and emotional resilience required by caregivers dealing with dementia. It is a profound, albeit fleeting, victory for the family, proving that even as the present slips away, certain emotional anchors and positive associations can still penetrate the fog of the disease.
III. 🎄 The Return to Christmas: A Son’s Sacrifice
One of the most touching revelations from the Senator, a devout Muslim convert, was the necessity of readopting a former family tradition: celebrating Christmas.
As a Muslim, Senator Padilla and his immediate family no longer observe the Christian holiday. However, due to his mother’s dementia, the beautiful memories she associates with Christmas have resurfaced with powerful clarity.
“Sometimes, Tito Boy (Boy Abunda), I tell Mariel about Mama’s wonderful Christmas memories,” Robin recounted. This has led to gentle friction with some of his siblings who question the observance given his religious conversion. “Sometimes my brothers and sisters question me: why do you need to? You are Muslim, we don’t have Christmas.”
Robin’s explanation for his decision is a moving testament to unconditional filial love. He stated simply: “I cannot do anything. That is the time my mother is happy.”
His priority has shifted entirely from theological adherence to emotional compassion. He emphasizes that the most crucial thing now is to make her feel loved, secure, and fully supported in her final years. The true ‘celebration’ is not about the holiday itself, but about creating an environment of joy and familiarity for a woman who is losing her grip on reality.
IV. 🛡️ The Legacy of Strength and Resilience
Robin’s contemplation of his mother’s current vulnerability led him to reflect on the immense strength that defined her life and her parenting philosophy. This reflection gave deeper context to the Senator’s own fierce personality and resilience.
He recounted how their mother, Mommy Eva, was forced to be both ‘mother and father’ to her children, as his politician father was often absent due to his public duties, sometimes seen only “once a month.”
“That spirit of strength, that is how our mother raised us,” the Senator said. “We needed to be strong because our father was also a politician, a local official. So, our mother was our father and mother. We couldn’t be weak. No matter what happened, you had to be strong. You could not just sit and cry.”
This upbringing instilled an unyielding toughness in the Padilla siblings. The current sight of his “unbreakable” mother in a state of helplessness is, therefore, a particularly devastating paradox for Robin. He is now faced with the painful task of being the strong, unwavering presence for the person who taught him the meaning of fortitude.
V. 🙏 A Call for Compassion
The Senator’s emotional sharing serves as a potent reminder of the silent battles fought by countless families dealing with degenerative diseases like dementia. It strips away the celebrity facade, revealing a son grappling with profound grief and demonstrating the depth of sacrifice required to care for a loved one whose mind is slowly fading.
Robin Padilla’s commitment to providing comfort through songs and even momentarily reviving past traditions like Christmas, despite his personal faith, is a powerful lesson in prioritizing human compassion over all else. It is a humble appeal to recognize the true meaning of love and devotion in the face of inevitable decline.
