COMING from a poor family, Susan Ooi has had her fair share of hardships. She did not complain but instead took on the challenges bravely.

"I find that nothing is impossible... and it has made me a stronger person," she says.

"My mother never went to school.  She had a difficult life bringing up 10 children single-handedly," Susan says of her mum, Lim Hai Poo, 72, lovingly.  But in nurturing her brood, Susan's mum never resorted to caning. Her approach was always with wise words.

And now the beneficiaries of such "mothering" are Xandria and Sean Ooi.

Yes, Susan, 52, is the mother a familiar face in the local entertainment industry - Xandria Ooi, and now we know, one who was never caned by her mum!

Susan has always advised and explained stuff to Xandria and now they converse more like friends.  "Xandria and I are very close. Sometimes, we don't even have to say anything but we know what each other is thinking," she said beaming.

Susan feels every day is Mother's Day.  "My children make me feel special each day. Mother's Day just gives them the opportunity to buy me a gift," she said, adding Xandria often gets her gifts regardless the occasion.

TV host, emcee and newspaper columnist Xandria, 26, remembers Sean and her making cards and penning in poems for their parents when they were younger.

"We don't celebrate it extravagantly but we do acknowledge it. Since mum is my manager, she is always with me and Mother's Day is just an extension of our time together," said Xandria, who has been heralded for her recently published book Love, Work And Everything In Between.

So now we know where some good measure of inspiration (and upbringing) must have come from.

Like mother, like son

When Dennis Lau performs, he weaves a magical realm with his tender tunes, lifting you off to a happy, sad or even romantic dream.

"He has the passion for music," said mum Chuah Chai Eng, who should know.  She's a piano teacher and little wonder Dennis started learning piano at age three.

"I saw a lot of students coming over for lessons, so I asked her to teach me too," he reminisced.

Mum said "no" in the beginning thinking her son far too young but she discovered he had his own perfect pitch.

"He could just listen to the tunes and pick it up from there... reading and writing music notes when he was three," she said proudly. And there was no turning back.

At six, mum encouraged him to take up violin. "Dennis was very disciplined. He would do his own work whenever I was teaching. He also liked to draw and could spend the whole day doodling away," she added.

"My mum was quite strict. When I was younger, the piano was my life," he said, adding that as a young kid, he would always hold on to his mum's hand.

"I am thankful she pushed me when I was younger," says Dennis, adding in certain aspects, the traditional method of upbringing should be applied, as opposed to parents today who are "far too lenient".

Today, Dennis not only performs but runs his own company that provides musical services. He will also be launching his first album 'Diversify' in August. Mum, of course, is thrilled.

It is not a family tradition to celebrate Mother's Day but in recent years, Lau has bought his mum gifts and taken her out for meals.

"When I was younger, Mother's Day is just Mother's Day. When you start working and you see how life can be hard at times, you will tend to get with the spirit and join in this special occasion," said Dennis.

Flowers for mummy

Today, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom is holding a flower arrangement competition between eight of our local celebrities and their mums. Xandria and Susan Ooi are one of the pairs.

Yes, competition will definitely be high as daughters (and sons) compete to outdo mums. For some fun and laughs, drop by Mid Valley Megamall. Bring your mum along and treat her to some retail therapy after!