[DISCLAIMER: I wrote this article from the perspective of a second-generation Filipina college student with a first-generation Filipina mom. I understand that there are many different flavors of the Filipina experience, and your mom may be a second or even third generation and some of these may no seem relatable. My experiences as a Filipina are in no way trying to define the experience as a whole.]

Growing up as a person of a foreign ethnicity can be a difficult thing to go through. However, if you happen to be Filipina, your mom was probably a huge source of your personal identity and Filipina culture at home. Here are ten totally relate-able things to anyone with a lovably intense nanay:

1. She loves a good bargain.

While your mom did emigrate to escape the poverty and corruption in the Philippines, that doesn't mean she's got all the Benjamins now. She runs a tight financial ship, including saving leftovers, hunting for sales, and reusing items in unorthodox ways (ever use "disposable" food containers as permanent tupperware)?

2. But she still has her fun.

Karaoke, Zumba, and teleseryes are the main event at this year's nanaylympics. While your mom is busy with kids, housework, and her own career, she still finds the time to decompress by belting out an OPM hit, going hard at the Zumba studio, or living through the Filipina celebrities on the television screen.

3. There are certain things to avoid with her.

While your mom is your biggest supporter and your confidante, avoid mentioning anything negative about the Philippines, any negative marks in school, and any thoughts about getting a boypren until you're like, thirty.

4. Her food is bomb.

Especially if you're a college student living off of dining hall burgers and pasta, you can't wait to get home and chow down on the soft, steamed rice with all of your favorite ulam. Sinigang, adobo... to you, weekend trips home are opportunities to catch up on missed extra pounds.

5. Grades aren't everything, they're the only thing.

While your mom may not have gone to school in the country you currently live in, she knows education is a big deal, and she's gonna make sure you're the best you can be. She keeps you focused on your academic goals by asking you about your homework, driving you to school activities, and limiting your social hours to hopefully result in that magic 4.0.

6. She's always checking up on you.

Even if you're living away from home, her job as a mother never ends. In fact, she picked up some extra duties by driving to visit you as much as possible, making sure your chores and food are prepared, and keeping up-to-date on everything in your college life via regular phone calls and social media updates.

7. She keeps you connected to family you may have never met.

While she may have traveled somewhere else to give you a better life, she left behind a whole other family in the Philippines. While it hurts to be away from them, she tries to maintain contact via (more archaic) prepaid phone cards, skype calls, and balikbayan boxes. She always finds the time to tell you stories of her time in the Philippines so it almost feels like you grew up there as well.

8. She always keeps her cool.

With kids to raise into successful adults, cooking, housework, and maybe even a job (not to mention the karaoke and Zumba!) it's surprising that your mom hasn't burnt out from stress years ago! Somehow she only gets better at her many jobs, always completing her to-do list to perfection and without a fraction of stress on her face.

9. Except when it comes to emotional milestones in your life.

The only other time you see her cry is when she's watching her teleseryes. Events like your high school graduation and first time away from home are your mom's times to let it all out. Both of you realize how fast you've grown up and how much work she has put in to your future. Get the tissues ready!

10. You love her for everything she is and everything she has been through, while still being an amazing mom to you.

Whatever crazy, funny, gif-able variety of Filipina mom you have, you wouldn't trade her for the world because of all she has done for you while loving you with all of her heart. She helped you navigate this new, scary world as a child while for her it was a new, scary world as an immigrant. She worked hard to give your family a good life while trying to raise you to have fun like other American children. You couldn't do all you do in school and career without her conscientious, determined, and ambitious lifestyle wrapped up in hugs, phone calls, and delicious food. Mahal kita nanay!