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Boholana wins Outstanding Mother Award
By Leonor S. Albino - Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

WHAT some parents find almost impossible to accomplish, Blesilda Bollozos did single-handedly - raise six intelligent, God-fearing, responsible offspring, while being a successful career woman in her own right.

Bollozos, who hails from Calape, is one of this year's five awardees for Outstanding Mothers.

The National Federation of Women's Clubs of the Philippines honored Benilda Mayuga of Rizal; Thelma Superable of Jaro, Leyte; Teresita Medinaceli of Cagayan; Maria Consuelo Santos and Bollozos last Monday in Manila.

Gov. Erico B. Aumentado's wife, Peregrina, accompanied Bollozos to the capital to receive her medal.

Nominated by the Bohol Federation of Women's Clubs, Bollozos is the third Boholana to get the recognition since the search for the Oustanding Mother Award was proclaimed a national event in 1921.

Gertudes Torralba-Derikito was chosen as one of the Oustanding Mothers in 1972, while her sister Filomena Torralba-Maceda received the same award in 1985.

The recognition is given to widowed mothers who had assumed the greater part of responsibility in rearing their children, and to those who have succeeded in their chosen professions and have contributed their time to community service.

Bollozos, whose husband Rafael was a former city fiscal, raised hogs and cattle using her late spouse's retirement money to augment her income as school principal.

The five daughters and a son were taught the value of money at a very young age and "to save every centavo". She also taught them how to cook and look after each other.

Bollozos also strictly imposed a "family policy" to ensure that her children do not get side tracked from their studies.

"While studying they were not allowed to have boyfriends and girlfriends. After college it was okay but strictly no marriage yet. Marriage had to be between 25 to 30 years old," she said.

Her discipline paid off. All her children excelled in school and were also active in civic and religious activities like their mother.

All her five daughters are now working in the U.S. Twin daughters Mary Joy and Mary Jane both work as nurses in Connecticut. Another daughter, Ma. Richelle, is also a nurse in Dallas.

Engr. Ma. Bevengie works as computer analyst for a prestigious firm in Maryland, while Ma. Buenalyn, the only child who's still single, works as a floral designer and landscaper.

Only son Roderick is an internist at the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital.

Through the years, Bollozos had to juggle her time between children and various interests. She became active in civic and religious organizations in her community.

She did not stop there, however. She also dipped her fingers into politics and served as municipal councilor of Calape from 1995 to 1998.

She was awarded as Outstanding District Supervisor and Outstanding Division Supervisor. In 1998, the Media Labor of the Philippines also awarded her as an Outstanding Public Servant as a municipal councilor.

During her three-year term as municipal councilor, Bollozos was able to solicit P300,000 from then Senator and now Education Sec. Raul Roco to put up the Calape Women's Crisis Center.

She also garnered awards as Oustanding Catholic Women's League President and Outstanding Parish Pastoral Council President. She was also a nominee for Huwarang Pamilyang Pilipino Award in 1997.

With her children, they put up the Bollozos Farms where she is presently the manager. She also manages the family-owned Treasure Island Beach Resort in Calape.

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