Skip to main content

Dad

Today I called Dad to greet him on his special day. I am always happy to hear his voice. It makes me think of those days I spent with him. When I was in high school, I stayed with Dad in a rented room in San Marcelino, Manila. Being the eldest, I was the first child to be sent to the city to continue my studies. It was quite sad being far from my siblings and Mom. But it was an experience which taught me how to be me, how to deal with my difficulties, my frustrations, my loneliness. The experience enriched me with tales of existence and of survival. And this I proudly share my students and friends.


Dad has taught me so much about life. Late have I realized it but realizations come late in life. Now that I am in that threshold, I could still hear those words which echoed the wisdom and sentiments of my father. Then, I might not understand it fully well but that is life. Understanding the mysteries comes in after much reflection.


It has been two years that I have not been with you during this day. But Dad I like you to know that far I may be, my heart will always treasure the love you give me. I want you to know that I appreciate all the sacrifices you made just to get me through.


Both of us have gone difficult times and that allowed me to realize that a father knows best for his child. I vividly remember when we had a walk at Luneta one cold night, a Crispa-Toyota basketball game at Araneta, a late night movie, a good meal at Kamayan or Max's. How I wish I could still go to those places with you again!


Dad, thank you for all the love and care. I just hope that as the days pass by between us, may you have all your dreams come true for yourself and your family. And behind those dreams is a contented and fulfilled life.


Happy birthday, Dad! I love you so much.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Course Starts

Today the course of which I am the superviosr started. I had 15 participants. There was no one from Myanmar, 4 paying participants from Thailand and one from Kenya. This afternoon, I gave them the briefing and it turned out to be wonderful. Though there were those who could not communicate well with English, it should not deter them in fully participating in every session. When I was one of the particpants back in 2004, I felt the difficulty of having them as co-participants. It is as if asking them why were they here in the first place. Now that I am the supervisor, I see it in different perspectives. Language is important but should not be a barrier to communication. I told them if they could not say it, then write down. If they could not put it on papers, then make use of sign language. If still it is not possible, then use facial expressions. The thingi would like to get across at is that we have to find ways and means to express ourselves. In our first session this afternoo, I enc...

Moment

Stupid! That was how my mathematics teacher called me once during my senior year in high school. I was in front of the class, on the board, having answered incorrectly a math problem he said was easy. Stunned and stupefied, I could not remember how long have I stood there. I thought my legs kept me from moving, when so many eyes were upon me, I was enveloped with embarrassment and numbness. After the class, I declined to have my lunch, afraid that my classmates would poke fun at me. And yes they did, behind me (which i would learn later). That was the turning point of my life with mathematics. I really could not blame my teacher. Mathematics was something I detest then, and it was my waterloo. But that unfortunate incident, it dawned upon me that I better put myself together and redeem myself. Not to prove to my teacher that I am what he thinks I am, I embarked on a journey. And this I did with mathematics as company. Years later, I earned my degree in mathematics. When it came to my t...

Discovery

The more I study the more I realize how much I do not know. The more I learn the more I become aware of my ignorance.