Today, in the Philippines, we celebrate the father’s day, along with all the goodness, protection and discipline they’ve imparted us. For today, I want to honor both my father and my mother. 

10 years ago

 An opportunity came for Papa to work in General Santos City. It was a hard decision for him, but he went anyway to provide for his family. At that time, I was just a sophomore in college and my sister just entering the university. 

Then, the unthinkable happened. All communication and financial support were cut off. We were left in the dark. We had to support ourselves. 

My mother took on the role of being a mother and a father at the same time. She worked on several jobs: being an insurance agent, a realty agent and being the father we needed the most. She disciplined us, loved us, helped us, and for that, I wanted to honor her today. 

5 years ago

When I got the opportunity to work in GenSan, I know I’d be facing my greatest fear and longing at the same time — my father. 

I’m afraid that if we met, I’ll be blaming him for all the difficult times or I’ll have bad news instead. I’m longing because as a daughter, I still wanted to have that father to call. 

Needless to say, we were able to meet and reconcile as I’ve written in this post. That was one of the best decisions in my life — forgiving my father and freeing myself from the baggage all these years. I admit, after our reconciliation, it’s as if a heavy burden is taken away from me. 

After a year of this reconciliation, I was able to bring my family to GenSan so they can have their own independence as well. In the photo was my family gathered together after several years of separation. 🙂

So, for all the fathers out there,

Happy Father’s day! You rock! Thank you for providing and loving your family. 

For the mothers, guardians, and grandparents who became that father-figure for all those children lost with one, 

Happy Father’s day! Your unconditional love is what keeps children like us going in this journey.

For those men who just become fathers, 

Happy Father’s day! Be the kind of father your child will look up to in the coming years.

For the fathers and soldiers who are fighting the war to protect their country and their loved ones, especially those in Marawi, Basilan and Sulu,

Happy Father’s day! We appreciate your sacrifices to keep the children of the country safe. Thank you for making the decision to love the country and fight for us.

And lastly, I wanted to honor my Father in heaven for loving us unconditionally and giving His one and only begotten son to die on the cross to save us from our sins,

Happy Father’s day, Tatay! Thank you for your unconditional love. Praying that I’ll be giving glory to Your name wherever I go.

I’m hoping in one way or another,  you’ll say a word of thanks to your father. That appreciation will definitely go a long way.