ALLANA MONTELIBANO:
I keep my kids’ hearts strong for the hard times
Allana found out she was already going to be a mother of two girls — Bianca and Karla — when she was only 19 years old. The thought of it frightened her. “I feared my capability of being a good mother at such a young age,” she says. But the moment she saw her daughter Bianca for the first time, all these fears just washed away. “It’s a mother’s instinct to protect their child that makes them overcome all their fears.”
Through the years, she learned that motherhood is a constant work in progress. “It’s about evolving, adjusting and growing. It has lots of joys and struggles as well; the joys are in the little moments spent with them during summer, the carefree days of their childhood and the challenging teen years and puberty and school. I would consider myself a strict mom because I believe in discipline.”
She wants her children to remember that life is a journey that is full of both good and bad, trials and victories. “I’d like them to keep their hearts strong for the sad times and their hearts humble in the good and happy times. I would like them to be prepared for the challenges that may come and embrace the lessons the come with it. I have always taught them that love can wait and their education comes first. That is the only treasure no one can take away from them. I could only wish for them to always guard their hearts and to choose wisely before they commit to love.”
Allana is comfortable wearing Esprit palazzo pants for an edgy yet feminine look. She pairs these styles with a blazer and heels to keep her looks simple but professional. Her daughters Bianca and Karla like Cinderella dresses. Bianca said, “I find Cinderella dresses pretty because they are very feminine, and at the same time they are practical in a sense that I only need to wear one piece of clothing.” Daughter Karla says, “Among the styles that I wore, I preferred also the Cinderella dress the most. I have always been inclined to more ladylike clothing because I feel comfortable in it. I find it very important to be comfortable in your own clothes because this will allow you to be more confident.”