Content warning: the article contains discussions on mental health and self-harm
Iza Calzado took to social media to pen a heartfelt birthday message for her late mother, Mary Ann Ussher.
In an Instagram post, the actress recalled celebrating her mother's birthday in Hong Kong when she was younger, recalling the memories she shared with her.
"Happy Birthday, Mama! ❤️ Flew out to Hong Kong on the day of your birthday and I can’t help but remember being here with you when I was a kid. It was probably 1989 or 1990 when this photo was taken," she wrote as she shared her snapshot with her mother in Hong Kong.
"You were probably around my age now in this photo. We took a short trip to HK with Daddy. I don’t remember much but thanks to some photos, I haven’t completely forgotten that trip," she highlighted.
Iza expressed gratitude for the photographs that have helped preserve moments she shared with her mom. "I’m so grateful to have these images of and with you to remind me of our good times together maybe even some of the challenging times. I’m just happy to remember you and keep you alive in my heart and mind. I miss you so much," she stated.
The Kapamilya star shared that she is now continuing that tradition of making memories with her daughter, Deia.
"So here I am creating memories and taking a lot of photos and videos with your grand daughter, Deia, celebrating you and honoring you through our shared moments. I know you are with us, always," she relayed.
She concluded her post: "Happy 78th Birthday in Heaven, Mama! I love you so much! ❤️"
In a February interview with Boy Abunda, Iza spoke candidly about the passing of her mother in 2001.
"I lost my mother. She died by suicide," she shared. "And, wow, I didn’t realize it would carry that weight still, but yeah, I don't say it proudly. I don't want to attach anything to it except truth and grief, of course."
The actress explained that over the years, she has come to terms with her mother’s death and no longer feels ashamed or afraid to talk about it.
"My mother was sick. She was bipolar. She battled with this since I was a child. Bata pa lang ako, nakikita ko na ang laban ng nanay ko," she recounted. "I didn’t understand [it] the way I understand now, but I had to face [my mom’s battles] day in and day out."
She went on to say that living through those difficult experiences, including the pain of losing her mother, helped shape the strength she carries today.
"Naging mas matatag ako. Alam ko, dahil sa lahat ng pinagdaanan ko bata pa lang ako, hindi lang sa pagkamatay ng aking nanay, kung hindi sa pinagdaanan namin bilang pamilya," she said.
"I really chose to believe that I will do everything that I can to have a better path than my mother, whatever that takes," she stated. "Deliberate, conscious work and sometimes the subconscious still wins. Tao lang po ako. Lahat tayo we fight with our own demons inside. It's a war, it's a war that happens inside us, and lagi ko lang kinakapitan 'yung light 'cause we are made of light. Kaya laban talaga, laban lagi."
The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) operates a 24/7 helpline for individuals suffering from mental health problems:
Crisis Hotline
National Center for Mental Health
Toll-free landline: 1553
Mobile numbers: 0917-899-8727, 0966-351-4518, 0908-639-2672
Facebook: ncmhcrisishotline
Twitter: ncmhhotline