GOV. Lilia Garcia Pineda of Pampanga is widely known in her province as “Nanay Baby” and “Nanay Gov.” Cabalens who share a special affection for the governor simply call her “Nanay” (Mother).

A public-school teacher in San Fernando, the capital city, explains that for Capampangans, the governor is more than a mother figure. “She is a full-time, working mother for her people,” she says. “She is our caring Ima (Capampangan for mother).”