MOTHER’S DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES · MAY 9, 2027
A Mother’s Day Mom Can Actually Enjoy
A practical family guide for the meal, the gathering and the small decisions that let Mom enjoy the day instead of running it.
Plan the Family MealBrowse Jojie's Food TraysServing Manila since 1986.
THE NEXT MOTHER’S DAY
May 9, 2027
When Is Mother’s Day 2027 in the Philippines?
Mother's Day is widely observed in the Philippines on the second Sunday of May.
In 2027, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 9.
For most families, that means a Sunday lunch, dinner, church visit, family reunion or simple get-together at home.
A Curious Part of Philippine Mother’s Day History
The official history is less straightforward than many people realize.
In 1988, Proclamation No. 266 declared the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day, or Araw ng mga Ina, and the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
In 1998, Proclamation No. 58 declared the first Monday of December as both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and expressly superseded the 1988 proclamation.
In everyday Filipino life, however, the May celebration remains the familiar Mother’s Day observed by families, schools, businesses and communities.
The changing dates are interesting, but the purpose has stayed much more consistent: giving families a reason to recognize the mothers and mother figures who care for them.
Mother’s Day in a Filipino Family Is Usually About Being Together
There is no single correct way to celebrate Mother’s Day in the Philippines.
Some families attend Mass or church together. Some visit Lola. Some go out for lunch. Others prepare food at home, bring several households together and spend the afternoon talking around the dining table.
Flowers, gifts and greeting cards can be lovely, but they are not the heart of the occasion.
The real question is whether Mom feels seen, appreciated and included.
That can mean honoring your mother, your grandmother or lola, a stepmother, an aunt who helped raise you, a guardian, the mother of your children, or another mother figure who has played an important role in your family.
A meaningful Mother’s Day can be grand or simple. What matters most is making the day feel like hers.
Start With the Mother’s Day Mom Actually Wants
Before booking anything, ask. It sounds obvious, but families sometimes create a celebration based on what everyone else enjoys and forget to check what Mom would prefer.
1. She wants a quiet day
Keep the guest list small. Order or prepare her favorite food, bring out the good plates, make coffee or dessert, and give her an afternoon without errands or household work.
2. She wants everyone together
Plan a family lunch or dinner at home where children, siblings and grandparents can stay as long as they like.
3. She loves going out
Book the restaurant she actually wants instead of assuming a home gathering is automatically better.
4. She wants something more special
A larger family gathering with coordinated food, tables, chairs, buffet equipment or full-service catering may make more sense.
5. She says, “Anything is fine”
That does not mean she should end up planning everything. Choose a simple format, assign responsibilities to the rest of the family and let her arrive as the guest of honor.
When a Mother’s Day Salu-Salo at Home Makes More Sense Than Dining Out
Restaurants are convenient because someone else handles the cooking, service and cleanup.
But a home celebration has advantages too—especially for families who want more time together.
At home, you can control the schedule. Children can move around more freely. Lola can sit where she is most comfortable. Relatives arriving from different parts of Metro Manila do not have to finish their meal within a restaurant table schedule.
And nobody has to lower their voice because the next table is trying to eat.
Neither option is automatically better. The better choice is the one that fits Mom, the family and the amount of work everyone is willing to share.
If you celebrate at home
- Stay together as long as you like
- Choose food around your family
- Easier to accommodate children and different arrival times
- Decorate or keep things very simple
- Create a more private family atmosphere
- Someone still needs to receive food, set the table and clean up
If you dine out
- Staff handles food service
- Little or no home setup
- No washing dishes afterward
- Dining room is already prepared
- Useful when nobody wants to host
- Peak-date reservations may require earlier planning
If Mom is the guest of honor, she should not become the event coordinator. That means somebody else should be responsible for the food, receiving deliveries, drinks, serving area, photos and cleanup.
Food Trays, Full-Service Catering or Dining Out?
Once you know where you are celebrating, choose the amount of service your family actually needs.
Choose food trays when…
You want to celebrate at home and your family is comfortable arranging the table, serving food and handling cleanup. Food trays are a practical middle ground: you do not have to cook every dish yourself, but you still keep the relaxed feeling of a family meal at home. Jojie's currently offers ready-made Party Tray Sets for 10, 15 or 20 people, plus individual food trays that families can mix around their preferred menu.
Browse Food Trays & Party Tray SetsConsider full-service catering when…
The gathering needs more than food. If you also need coordinated buffet service, equipment, setup, staffing or a more formal event arrangement, ask whether full-service catering is the better fit. Exact inclusions depend on the selected catering arrangement and written quotation.
Explore Full-Service CateringChoose a restaurant when…
Mom genuinely wants to go out, nobody wants to manage the house and the guest list fits comfortably within your chosen restaurant. There is no prize for making Mother’s Day more complicated than it needs to be.
Plan the meal and setup
Choose the Mother’s Day Setup That Leaves the Least Work
Once you know where Mom wants to celebrate and roughly how many people are coming, choose the simplest setup for your family. Keep this guide for planning; use the service pages for current menus, rental options and booking details.
How Much Food Do You Need for Mother’s Day?
Guest count is one of the first decisions to make because it affects almost everything else: food, table space, seating, drinks, serving equipment and delivery. You do not need the final headcount before you start planning. A good estimate is enough.
Serving guide
Use these serving sizes as a starting point
Use these as a guide. How much you need depends on appetites and what else you’re serving.
Calculate How Many Food Trays You Need
Mother’s Day for 5–10 People
Best for: an immediate-family lunch, dinner with grandparents or a small celebration at home.
For a group this size, keep the menu focused.
You usually do not need six different main dishes just because it is a special occasion. A smaller spread with enough variety is often easier to enjoy—and leaves less food to manage afterward.
A practical starting point is one rice or starch, two contrasting main dishes, one vegetable, salad or lighter dish, and dessert or something Mom particularly enjoys.
If you want an easier starting point, Jojie's 10-person Party Tray Sets already group compatible dishes together.
See Food Options for a Small Family Gathering
Mother’s Day for 15–20 People
Best for: siblings bringing their families, a multi-generation lunch or an extended-family gathering.
At this size, menu balance becomes more important.
Avoid choosing five dishes that are all similarly rich, fried or heavy. Give guests different things to choose from.
A comfortable spread may include rice, two or three different mains, a pasta or pancit dish if your family enjoys it, something vegetable-based or fresher, and one celebratory favorite.
Jojie's ready-made Sets are available in 15- and 20-person options, or you can build the meal from individual trays.
Plan Food for 15–20 Guests
Mother’s Day for 30 or More People
Best for: a reunion-sized celebration, several branches of the family or a gathering that starts feeling more like an event than a simple lunch.
Do not think only about the quantity of food.
Also plan where people will sit, where food will be served, whether the buffet area will create a queue, where drinks will go, whether hot dishes need warmers, where used plates will be placed, and who will handle receiving and cleanup.
Food trays can still work for a larger home gathering when the family is comfortable managing the setup.
If you want the service, equipment and meal flow coordinated more closely, ask Jojie's whether a catering arrangement would make more sense.
Ask Jojie's About a Larger Family GatheringA simple tray-planning rule
On Jojie's current Food Trays menu, a regular medium tray is used as a planning range for around 3–4 people, while a regular large tray is used as a planning range for around 7–8 people. Those are starting points—not guarantees. Appetites, children, extra dishes and the length of the gathering all affect how much food you need. If the table already has pancit, pasta, rice, appetizers and dessert, every main dish does not need to feed the entire guest list by itself.
Mother’s Day Menu Ideas From Jojie's
A good Mother’s Day menu does not have to follow one theme. Start with what your family enjoys and build contrast around it. Here are four current Jojie's menu directions that work well as planning inspiration.
Generated menu images on this guide are celebration-serving inspiration, not photographic proof of the exact Jojie's Set received.
Filipino Comfort Salu-Salo
Filipino Fiesta Set
- Kalderetang Baka
- Inihaw na Liempo
- Fresh Lumpiang Ubod
- Rice
It brings together a rich beef dish, grilled pork and something fresher on the side—a natural fit for a relaxed family lunch or reunion.
Pasta & Roast Dinner
Western Roast Set
- Lasagna
- Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy
- Mashed Potato
- Rice
This is a fuller roast-and-pasta combination for families who want something a little different from a traditional Filipino lunch.
Seafood & Roast Celebration
Fusion Seafood Roast Set
- Shrimp Mango Salad
- Roast Chicken
- Grilled Blue Marlin with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Rice
The combination gives guests seafood, chicken and a fresher salad element without requiring several separate trays to build the same variety.
Chicken, Fish & Fresh Ubod
Fusion Classic Set
- Chicken Honey
- Fish Fillet with Tartar Sauce
- Fresh Lumpiang Ubod
- Rice
This gives the table chicken, fish and a vegetable-based fresh lumpia option in one straightforward Set.
Prefer to choose individual dishes?
That may be the better approach when Mom has a particular favorite.
Build the meal around one dish the family really wants, then add contrast.
Rich beef dish → add something grilled or fresh
Roast dish → add vegetables or salad
Pasta → pair with a main rather than adding several more starches
Seafood → add a chicken or pork option for guests who prefer something else
You do not need to order everything. A thoughtful menu is usually better than a crowded buffet.
Browse the Complete Food Tray Menu
Planning for Lola, Children and a Mixed-Age Family
Mother’s Day gatherings often bring several generations together. That changes the way the event should be planned.
Make seating easy
Give older family members comfortable seats with easy access to the dining table, restroom and family conversation. Do not make Lola walk through a crowded buffet line several times if someone can bring her plate to the table.
Give the menu variety
A family with children, adults and grandparents may appreciate more than one style of main dish. Instead of labeling one menu “for seniors,” think about variety: softer and easier-to-serve choices, fish or vegetable options alongside heavier dishes, familiar food for children, and a few celebratory favorites.
Be specific about medical or dietary requirements
If someone has a specific medical, allergy or dietary requirement, treat it as a specific requirement. Do not rely on vague labels such as “healthy” or “diabetic-friendly.” Tell Jojie's exactly what the guest needs to avoid or adjust and confirm what can actually be accommodated before ordering.
Let people eat at their own pace
A relaxed home celebration can work particularly well for mixed-age families because not everyone has to start and finish the meal at exactly the same time. That is especially useful when relatives are arriving from different parts of Metro Manila.
Give Mom a Restaurant-Feel Table Without Turning the House Into an Event Hall
A Mother’s Day table can feel special without an elaborate theme. Start with comfort. Clear the dining area. Use the best tablecloth or placemats you already own. Put flowers in one simple arrangement rather than covering the entire table with decorations. Then focus on how the meal will work.
Mother’s Day setup inspiration
Keep food and drinks from fighting for the same space
If possible, place drinks away from the main buffet so people collecting water or soft drinks do not block everyone choosing food.
Give every dish its own serving utensil
Nobody should be searching the kitchen for a spoon after the meal has started.
Keep hot food properly set up
If dishes will remain on the buffet for an extended period, consider proper food warmers or chafing dishes rather than repeatedly reheating individual plates. Jojie's Catering Equipment Rental currently includes full, half-size and roll-top chafing dishes, together with linens, dinnerware, glassware, cutlery and other buffet equipment.
Add seating before decoration
If the dining table seats eight but twenty relatives are coming, fix the seating problem before buying decor. Jojie's Tables and Chairs Rental offers event chairs, dining tables, buffet/support tables and related rental options, with availability and delivery arrangements based on the event details.
Mother’s Day Delivery, Pickup and Booking Planning
Mother’s Day is a peak celebration weekend, so it is better to inquire once your basic plans are known rather than waiting for every detail to become final.
You can start with an estimate.
- your Mother’s Day celebration date
- preferred serving or ready time
- approximate guest count
- complete delivery or venue address
- receiving contact person
- preferred dishes or Set, if already chosen
- any condo, subdivision, parking, lift, security or loading instructions
Jojie's can confirm delivery, self-pickup or customer-arranged courier collection after reviewing the order, date, destination and ready time.
Mother’s Day delivery around Metro Manila
Jojie's serves customers across Metro Manila. If you are arranging a gathering in areas such as Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig/BGC, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas or Muntinlupa/Alabang, send the complete address so the team can review the actual delivery arrangement. Selected nearby-province arrangements may also be possible depending on the exact location, schedule and requirements.
Browse Party Trays for Delivery & PickupCheck Mother’s Day AvailabilityPlanning Mother’s Day at the Last Minute?
First: ask what is still available. Then make the plan easier.
1. Choose a ready-made Set
A pre-combined menu reduces the number of decisions you need to make.
2. Limit last-minute customization
The closer you are to the date, the more useful it is to stay flexible about specific dishes and arrangements.
3. Consider pickup or delivery rider pickup
If delivery is difficult for your location or schedule, ask whether you can pick up the order or book your own rider instead.
4. Use what you already have at home
You do not need matching furniture, elaborate decorations and a styled dessert station to make the day meaningful. A clean table, comfortable chairs, good food and a family that lets Mom relax can be enough.
Browse Ready-Made Party Tray SetsMake Mom Do Less This Mother’s Day
Share the work before, during, and after the meal so Mom gets to enjoy the salu-salo too.
01
Before Everyone Arrives
One person handles the guest list
Confirm who is coming and share the final headcount with the family.
One person takes care of the food
Choose the menu, place the order, and know who will receive or pick up the food.
A small setup team prepares the table
Arrange the chairs, plates, utensils, drinks, serving area, and anything the family will need before lunch begins.
02
While Everyone Is Together
Let someone else manage the serving
Bring dishes to the table, refill drinks, and keep the food area organized so Mom does not have to keep getting up.
Share the hosting
Welcome relatives, help children and older family members get settled, take family photos, and keep the gathering moving naturally.
03
When the Meal Is Over
Make cleanup a family job
Clear the table, pack leftovers, collect glasses and plates, and tidy the dining area together.
Mom’s Role Today
Eat. Talk. Laugh. Take photos. Spend time with the family.
Not cook, serve everyone, clear the table, and clean up afterward.
A thoughtful Mother’s Day is not only about what you serve—it is also about giving Mom time to enjoy the people she loves.
Meaningful Mother’s Day Ideas Beyond the Meal
01
Write something she can keep
A handwritten letter can mean more than an expensive gift. Tell her one thing you remember, one thing you learned from her and one thing you appreciate now that you are older.
02
Make breakfast or coffee before the celebration starts
Even if lunch is the main event, begin the day with something small that she does not have to prepare herself.
03
Bring out old family photos
Choose a few rather than scrolling through thousands on a phone. Turn favorite photos into a simple scrapbook or printed keepsake if your family enjoys making things together.
04
Do something she actually likes
That may be gardening, watching a movie, taking a short walk, singing karaoke, playing with the grandchildren, visiting relatives, having merienda, or simply sitting somewhere quiet with coffee.
05
Include faith if it is meaningful to your family
For families whose Mother’s Day traditions include faith, that might mean attending Mass or church, praying together or simply giving thanks for Mom and the family. It does not have to be part of every family’s celebration.
06
Call the relatives who cannot come
A five-minute video call can make an overseas sibling or grandchild part of the day.
07
Give her an ordinary day off
Sometimes the most meaningful Mother’s Day gift is wonderfully unglamorous: Nobody asks Mom what everyone is having for dinner.
You Do Not Have to Wait Until Mother’s Day
One of the easiest mistakes is treating appreciation as an annual event.
Mother’s Day is a useful reminder, but showing care does not require a holiday.
Call her. Visit when you can. Bring food over for no particular reason. Ask how she is doing—and listen to the answer. Help with something before she asks. Spend time together while there is still time to spend.
A Mother’s Day celebration can be beautiful. The relationships behind it matter much more.
Frequently asked questions
Mother’s Day Planning FAQs
What date is Mother’s Day in the Philippines?
Mother’s Day is widely observed in the Philippines on the second Sunday of May. In 2027, that falls on Sunday, May 9. The Philippines also has an unusual proclamation history involving earlier December observances, but May remains the familiar Mother’s Day celebration for many Filipino families.
What is a good Mother’s Day celebration at home?
Start with what Mom enjoys. A simple family lunch with her favorite food may be more meaningful than an elaborate program. Make sure other family members handle ordering, table setup, drinks and cleanup so she can enjoy the gathering.
What food is good for a Mother’s Day family lunch?
Build around your family’s preferences. A balanced spread usually benefits from contrast: rice or another starch, different types of mains and something lighter or vegetable-based. Jojie's current menu includes Filipino, Western, seafood, fusion, pasta, pancit and other food-tray choices, together with ready-made Sets for 10, 15 and 20 people.
How many food trays should I order for 10 people?
It depends on what else is being served and your guests’ appetites. Jojie's currently uses approximately 3–4 people as a regular medium-tray planning range and 7–8 for a regular large tray. Families can also begin with a 10-person Party Tray Set rather than calculating each dish separately.
How much food should I prepare for 20 people?
Start by deciding whether you want a ready-made menu or individual trays. Jojie's has Party Tray Sets available in a 20-person size. If you are choosing à la carte, consider the whole spread rather than expecting every individual dish to feed all twenty guests by itself.
What should I do for a Mother’s Day gathering with 30 or more guests?
Plan the meal and the room together. Think about food quantity, seating, buffet flow, warmers, drinks and cleanup. Food trays may still work if your family will manage the setup and service. If you want a more coordinated arrangement, ask whether full-service catering better suits the gathering.
Is a home Mother’s Day celebration cheaper than a restaurant?
Not necessarily. The cost depends on your menu, number of guests, restaurant choice, delivery, rentals and how much setup you already have at home. Choose based on the experience and amount of work your family wants—not on an assumption that one format is always cheaper.
Does Jojie's deliver food trays for Mother’s Day?
Jojie's can confirm delivery based on the order, date, destination and requested ready time. Self-pickup or customer-arranged courier collection may also be arranged after the order details are reviewed.
How early should I order for Mother’s Day?
Inquire as soon as you know your approximate guest count and preferred meal time. Weekends, holidays and peak celebration dates can have higher demand, and availability is only confirmed through the actual booking or ordering process.
How do I keep Mother’s Day food trays warm at home?
Plan your serving time so food does not sit unnecessarily long. For a longer buffet-style meal, chafing dishes or suitable food warmers can help maintain the serving setup. Jojie's Catering Equipment Rental includes several chafing-dish options.
Do food trays include disposable serving spoons?
Serving-utensil inclusions should be confirmed with the order rather than assumed. If you are arranging the buffet yourself, plan at least one suitable serving utensil for each dish.
Can Jojie's provide tables and chairs for a Mother’s Day celebration at home?
Jojie's rents tables, chairs and related event furniture for family celebrations, subject to the required quantities, location, date and delivery arrangement.
Can I request food for a guest with a dietary or medical restriction?
Tell Jojie's the specific requirement before ordering. Do not assume that a menu item is automatically suitable because it appears light, contains vegetables or is described as “healthy.” Any adjustment or substitution needs to be specifically confirmed.
A day she can enjoy
Give Mom a Day She Can Actually Enjoy
A meaningful Mother’s Day does not require the perfect restaurant, the largest buffet or the most expensive gift.
It requires attention.
Choose the kind of gathering Mom wants. Invite the people she wants to see. Serve food the family will enjoy. Make the room comfortable for children and grandparents.
And most importantly: Do not make Mom run her own Mother’s Day celebration.
If food is the part of the plan you would rather not cook yourself, Jojie's offers food trays and ready-made Party Tray Sets for family gatherings across Metro Manila.
If the celebration also needs tables, chairs, buffet equipment or a more coordinated catering setup, the Jojie's team can help you explore those options too.
Planning guidance from Jojie's Catering Services, Inc. — Serving Manila since 1986. Food trays, catering and event rentals for family celebrations, offices and gatherings across Metro Manila.