EVA CARIÑO

Claim to motherly fame: Mother of Robin, Rustom (a.k.a. Bebe Gandanghari), Rommel and Royette Padilla

Motherhood statement: When asked why she is able to give full support to her children despite their extraordinary troubles, Cariño said, "Ganyan naman ang isang ina, di ba? Kung ano ang kaligayahan ng iyong mga anak, susuportahan mo. Wala ka namang ibang choice, di ba? Diyan mo maipapakita na tanggap mo ang anumang pasukin at gawin ng iyong anak.

Mommy logic: A former bit player, Cariño hooked up with politician Roy Padilla Sr. (a Camarines Norte governor who was assassinated in 1988) and had to put up with the fact that he already had a family. For the most part, Cariño had to be a single parent to her eight kids.

Stage mama moments: Cariño has stood by her sons through their numerous scrapes with the law and other baffling antics. Though she didn't really get to say much when son Royette was part of a paramilitary cult, she was vocal when son Rustom metamorphosed into Bebe Gandanghari. She adamantly declared, "Para sa akin si Rustom pa rin siya, 'yun lang."

Nanay verdict: The fact that it's just her sons who caused her much grief is a testimony to the fact that Cariño is a sucker for bad boys. She fell in love with one and gave birth to four of them, one of which who now prefers to be called a daughter.

Eva Cariño on former son Rustom's "Bebe-fication"

DIONISIA PACQUIAO

Claim to motherly fame: Mother of world-famous boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

Motherhood statement: When asked about her son's alleged womanizing, Pacquiao proved that she was in his corner all the way when she said, "Hayaan mo lang ang mga intriga kasi [nandiyan na 'yan] lalo na noong unang sumisikat ang anak ko. Kasi andyan ang kagalingan niya. Ang daming humahanga sa kanya, lalo na sa mga babae. Ang daming mag-intrigang salita, hindi ginagawa sa anak ko 'yan."

Mommy logic: A graduate from the school of hard knocks, Pacquiao single-handedly raised her brood of six after she was abandoned by her two husbands. Nothing fazes Pacquiao, who spent years as a laborer at the General Santos City public market.

Stage mama moments: A devout Catholic, Pacquiao, draped in jewels, is often caught on camera praying for Pacman's victory during his matches. Perhaps hoping to recapture her lost youth, Pacquiao's 60th birthday party had a curious debut theme. Pacquiao has also become a showbiz personality—“appearing in a movie, an ad, and various TV shows.

Nanay verdict: Pacquiao proves that life can get better as you grow older. It doesn't hurt if you have a devoted son who's one of the world's richest athletes who's ready to buy you a mansion and everything else you can wish for. Pacquiao's story should convince all mothers to be kind to their kids.

PacMom Pacquiao: Forever Young

DAISY ROMUALDEZ

Claim to motherly fame: Adoptive mother of '80s teen star Kristina Paner and singer Danita Paner

Motherhood statement: In 2007, when daughter Danita ran away from home (which she referred to as "hell") and accused her of being a control freak, Romualdez appeared on The Buzz and gave this response: "Ako yata ang nasa impyerno dahil napakasama nang ugali mo. Alangan namang anak ang masusunod. S'yempre nanay."

Mommy logic: A former actress who started out in wholesome flicks in the 1950s, Romualdez's overprotective nature stems from her firsthand brush with the movie industry.

Stage mama moments: Daughters Kristina and Danita have both rebelled against Romualdez's iron hand by running away from home. In both instances, Romualdez came out to defend herself and to put her daughters in their place. Her tiff with Kristina is not documented online, but her spat with Danita is. To date, Romualdez has reconciled with Kristina. As for Danita, the tweets on her Twitter page reveal that she's happy and still singing in gigs.

Nanay verdict: Romualdez seems to be only doing what she thinks is best for her kids. But sometimes, it appears that she overdoes it. The ties that bind can easily choke, too.

Daisy Romualdez berates daughter Danita's supposed reason for running away from home

Photographs from Noel Orsal of PEP.Ph (Amalia Fuentes, Annabelle Rama, Lolit Solis, Eva Carino, Dionisia Pacquiao, Rosanna Roces), Mark Pimentel of PEP.ph (Marlene Aguilar-Pollard), Ruel Mendoza for PEP.ph (Beth Jones), Yes! Magazine (Daisy Romualdez), screengrab from ABS-CBNnews.com (Irene Kho).