Remebering Dad 2

Fathers have an important role in the family, According to our Filipino values; they are the “haligi ng tahanan”. I cannot help but remember him after reading Animated me: Father’s Treasure (Dec. 28, 2003). I cried so much that I wanted to visit him and hug him tight. As I am writing my thoughts, tears fall as I remember the last time I saw him. I miss him.

When my sister and I were younger (early 80’s), my mom said that he would gather sayote at our backyard to sell so that he could buy our milk. He just finished his BS Forestry and was job hunting at that time. He was eventually taken to work in DENR and promoted because he was dedicated to his job. Dad loved what he did.

During our elementary days, we would go to the canteen near DENR at Calderon St. to eat lunch with him. I would take a bunch of juicy fruit gum before leaving the canteen (some of which I gave to the blind who still begs in front of sky world until now).

I remember him washing our clothes during weekends. He would get mad at me for always changing because he did the laundry J. He washed our clothes and cooked for us even when we should have washed clothes and cooked for him. He was a good cook. He would cook our favorite ulam and pasta even when there was no special occasion.

He was also our alarm clock during school days. He would wake up early to cook breakfast and tune in to Juan Tenorio at DZWT. He would raise the volume so that we would hear Mr. Tenorio shout oi!bangon na! Gising na! while sounding his bell. If we do not wake up in time for breakfast, he would go to our room and sing “school bukol ahahay! Wake up now” .

He brought us to Burnham park to bike or roller blade. He would often sit on the grassy area and under a tree to read or take a nap while waiting for my sister and I to consume our time biking or skating. Before going home he would bring us to Coney Island to have ice cream or cotton candy.

He made childhood days for us very memorable. I can always look back and say that “I wish I was a child again”. I always asked him about our roots he would tell stories about his childhood days and his youth. He stayed with his uncles (lolo’s brothers) who are in the city. One of my aunties told me that he would do their school project and get high grades… He was creative in a way. I remember in high school, we had a project. We had to make a folding chair. He made the chair for me and I passed it the next day with its fresh varnish.

I wish he were here right now to advice me on how to live life… give me tips on how to face problems and solve them… to coach me when I feel like giving up. I sometimes wished for his presence when I just wanted to run to him like a child when I feel hopeless. I always told him what trouble I was into… even the small glories I had had. I know God has a purpose for calling him… to make me independent, to teach me to be responsible and to be dependent on HIM alone.

Remembering him bring tears to my eyes and a smile on my face. I always watch the last video clip of him. He was on his way to campaign to some barangays in Bokod. He was smiling and waving at me as I was capturing him on video. I would forever cherish the smile of that one person who inspired me to finish my studies…the person who shared jokes with me… the person who cared and loved not only me but also his family… He is MY DAD. (Published in Animated Me, January 25, 2004— Baguio Midland Courier)