As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re reflecting on the true meaning of ‘care’ at St Mary’s Collective. For all of us, caring for the elderly – your family and friends – isn’t simply a job, but an extension of our upbringing.
In Filipino culture, there are two powerful concepts that define how we view the world and how we approach care: malasakit and bayanihan. We believe these approaches, rooted in a cultural commitment nurturing family, community and strong interpersonal relationships, are the key ingredients for the kind of care every mother deserves.
What is Malasakit?
Commonly translated as compassion or deep empathy, it describes a profound sense of responsibility and empathy. When we say we practice malasakit, we mean we care for your mother as if she were our own.
Whether it’s making an extra cup of tea just the way she likes it or patiently listening to a story you’ve heard a hundred times before. When your mother or grandmother joins one of our Day Care Centre or our carers walk through her front door, they are always there to offer genuine compassion and protection.
The Power of Bayanihan
Bayanihan – the spirit of communal unity – reminds us that no one should navigate the aging journey alone. By combining our domiciliary care, day care centre support and cleaning services, St Mary’s Collective offers a flexible support network that enables your mother or parent to maintain their independence while feeling fully supported by a community that has her back.
How we care for the women who cared for you.
Watching our parents age is complex and difficult. You want best for your mother, but the life pulls you in different directions. That’s where our team step in. Our mission is to take the weight off your shoulders, so that you can focus on what matters most. This Mother’s Day, like every other day, let us bring a little more malasakit into her life. Whether it’s a helping hand with daily tasks or offering social enrichment at one our day care centres, we are here to support your family, whatever their needs, with the same dedication we would give our own.
