Marc Pingris recalls giving his mom a house-and-lot from first salary from basketball

Marc Pingris is a self-confessed mama's boy.

Growing up without his dad in Pozzorubio, Pangasinan, Pingris' mom Erlinda has been his rock and source of inspiration as he charted his path towards basketball greatness back then.

"Proud to say na mama's boy talaga ako. Talagang siya, kahit mga 10 years old na ako, 12, siya pa talaga ang katabi ko," Pingris recalled on podcast "Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel."

The retired basketball star's story of growing up is something he will always proudly share. As a child, he had different jobs in the market and the streets of Pangasinan to make ends meet.

"Hindi ko naman ikinakahiya 'yun dahil ang sarap-sarap sa feeling na kung saan ako galing, kaya sobrang proud talaga ako sa mother ko," Pingris said.

That is why when Pingris had the means once he started his professional career, giving something to his mom was his top priority.

"Kaya 'yung first salary ko sa PBA dati, nung pagka-sign ko pa lang talaga, kumuha talaga ako ng advance [payment] talaga tapos malapit na kasi birthday ng mother ko nung time na 'yun eh, so 'yun 'yung regalo ko talaga sa kaniya house and lot."

Pingris recalled being emotional as he handed the keys of the new house to his mom.

"First salary ko talaga 'yun pero wala pang kagamit-gamit ang bahay. Sabi ko sa kaniya 'Ma, may pupuntahan tayong birthday party ng kaibigan ko, sama ka sa'kin kasi gusto ka makilala.' And then sumama siya, pagdating namin doon wala naman tao dito eh, baka ibang bahay ganun, tapos nung iaabot ko na sa kaniya ang susi, ayun uimiyak na ako. 'Happy birthday, ma, sa'yo to.'"

The "Pinoy Sakuragi" wanted to give everything to his mom as a way of appreciating the sacrifices she made while he and his siblings were growing up.

"Kulang pa 'yun sa sakripisyo na ginawa niya na tatlo kaming magkakapatid. Sa kaniya ko namana 'yung... kaya lagi ko sinasabi sa Gilas dati 'Puso,' sa kaniya ko nakita 'yun," Pingris said.

"Kitang-kita ko 'yun mula pagkabata ko hanggang nung nag-try out ako sa Manila, so kahit pagpunta ko ng Manila, umiyak siya dahil wala siyang perang maibigay sa akin na. 'Ma, it's okay' kako, kaya ko naman ang sarili ko eh. So para sa kaniya 'yun deserved niya talaga 'yun."

Watch the full interview of Pingris on "Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel."

—JMB, GMA News