The long-standing notion of “women innately possessing maternal instinct is a myth” has been one debatable subject difficult to put to rest despite the fact that even psychologists settled that motherhood is the essential aspect that perpetuates the very essence of a woman.
After an extensive review of the scientific views about maternal instinct, Professor Ma. Vicedo-Castello, University of Toronto’s Professor of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, was steadfast to conclude that: “There is no scientific evidence to claim that there is a maternal instinct that automatically gives women the desire to have children, makes women more emotional than men, confers upon them a higher capacity for nurturance, and makes them better equipped to rear children than men.”
But for someone who has relentlessly devoted all her life caring for her only son, aside from her parents and siblings, Linda Mananghaya Mayo has been vocal about the existence of the proverbial “Mother Instinct” in every woman. “It’s a natural phenomenon among women…and that separates us distinguishably from our male counterparts,” she profoundly blurts out.
The fearless and outspoken Linda M. Mayo initiated the founding and establishment of the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) together with compassionate Filipino-American veterans way back in October of 1992…that makes the service-oriented Jersey City-based organization 26 this year.
An atypical Aries-born (April12), Linda possesses that distinct fierceness to claim her individuality as a trendsetter and trailblazer. A born-leader and an organizer with practically keen insight this lady in PACCAL’s totem pole has been the first (and only) Jersey City woman Deputy Mayor of Asian descent. Aptly armed with a full knowledge about what she’s fighting for while fortified with an unrivaled courage to stand for what she believes is right and equipped with an unflinching enthusiasm to sustain her drive, and unrelenting determination to succeed, gutsy but soft-hearted Linda contrastingly finds joy even in simple things.
After having freed herself from the bondage of torturing sleepless nights and swam out of the whirlpool of emotional baggage abandoned by her not-so-distant marital past, Linda woke up to the realization of her real purpose of existence: the moral, spiritual, and personal responsibilities and obligations she has yet to carry on.
As the founding President and Executive Director of PACCAL Linda steadily maintained her focus on what the organization could do. “Compassion and kind-heartedness start from home and extends to the last person who needs help. There were a lot of problems to address… numerous things to accomplish… and quite a lot of people to serve.” That was her self-balloon after having thought of her main mission and real purpose for living.
Linda has served the Filipino-American Community for over 30 years since PACCAL’s inception. As the first service-oriented organization in Jersey City to address the health and human service needs of the Filipino-Asian community focusing on senior citizens /veterans’ program. PACCAL holds the distinction of being the only Asian Provider Agency recognized by the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging.
Just recently, the indefatigable community leader was duly recognized and awarded during the 2nd Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards acknowledging the hard working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations serving AAPIs age 50-plus.
Linda, as PACCAL Founder and President Emeritus, was joined by Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Director of Desi Senior Center in Glen Oaks, New York and Shongchai Hang, an outreach worker of South East Asia Mutual Assistance Association Coalition in Philadelphia, PA.
Throughout her more than 3 decades of societal activities and community involvements there neither was a hitch nor glitch that hindered Linda’s active life. The ever-amiable leader and event organizer always wears a ready smile for everyone but for some sort of twist of fate she found herself in a dilemma she never saw coming. There was not even a sign or premonition that she would be in a state of quandary following a jubilant holiday revelry with PACCAL officers, members and volunteers.
Until one fateful morning of December 29, 2017, Linda woke up to a different crack of dawn. She normally greets the first light of day with a smile and prayer but this time her muscles and reflexes failed to coordinate and respond effectually. Unquestionably she suffered from stroke!
It was an unforeseen nightmare! A reality she couldn’t accept. For someone as active as Linda, suffering from such heightened physical condition is such a brutalizing dilemma…much more spending the holidays in one of the bleak hospital rooms in desolation away from her loved ones. A first in her life, Linda could only kept the intense emotional pain all to herself and derived transitory relief from praying and crying in silence.
Initially admitted at the CarePoint Medical Center in Bayonne, New Jersey (which became her residence for a month for instantaneous rehabilitation) and currently at Alaris Health at Hamilton Park since her relocation two months ago. Steadily Linda has learned to accept her fate while simultaneously trying to enjoy her progressive rehabilitation every passing day.
Rehabilitation procedures and therapeutic treatments went progressively fine and steadily improving. Tossing her denial into thin air and dexterously embracing reality built a more positive focus towards a glibber road to her recovery. Easily soon she was able to sign vital paper works and documents prepared by her staff or respond to pertinent issues unresolved by the office. The road to normalcy, as her physical therapist would say, is almost visible in the offing.
But despite the positivity of her recovery, the indefatigable leader doesn’t give up to physical devastation. Even in the stillness of her hospital room Linda is relentlessly haunted by the urgency to serve and extend support to the community she had served for decades. She constantly demands updated reports on the status of PACCAL with regards to the services it extends to the seniors and other related projects. Her physical being may be subdued by stroke but not her distinct sense of volunteerism.
Her long time direct involvement in the community and having interacted with diverse personalities gave Linda the rare opportunity to see life from a different perspective and reevaluate her opinions of others. Her painstaking dedication to champion the mission and vison of PACCAL catapulted the organization that she founded to such an enviable level that made it one of the most recognized Jersey City-based service-oriented bodies. Her paramount commitment and unflinching enthusiasm indubitably established PACCAL’s eminence with a great difference.
An adorable leader, no matter what her condition is, deserves an equally heartwarming greeting on the occasion of her 74th birthday. PACCAL President Ramona S. Gapasin, together with Executive Director Bobby T. Yalong, Past Presidents Lumen Castaneda and Rose P. Javier, VP Marieta Lamar, Treasurer Rebecca Samanyaphon, Fiscal Officer Anita Tan, and Creative staff Tony Abellar, collectively joined hands to give Linda a meaningful red-letter-day treat.
Another group of well-wishers composed of Linda’s son Joey, Ric Respicio, and Allah Arcanghel came shortly after the first group left. The “parties” were brief and unpretentious… far from the usual ostentatious celebrations but the very essence of the fete was highly encompassing.
Outstanding leaders, like Linda, go out of their way to heighten the self-esteem of their personnel to ensure efficient performances with amazing accomplishments. That is exactly what the amiable PACCAL founder has constantly been implementing: a capacitated leadership that translates vision to reality.
In due time, when she will be finally released from the torturing hospital bondage, it will be a renewed life for Linda. Things around her might be divergent and perplexity of comprehension might ensue but 3 things are certain though… Linda’s faith remains resilient, her motherly predisposition persists, and the quintessential compassion within her endures.
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