a tribute to papa

No matter how much I hated my papa for doing what he did in the past, I will always be forever thankful to him.

He disciplined me and my siblings well. I guess the belt and your rough calloused hands did work a little to tame this unruly teeny weeny soul. Thank You. Because of you I seized to steal (even if its just 5 pesos from mom’s, not your pocket), I learned the importance of trust, and you taught me that money is never free.

The salt too did a miracle to our knees, not only did we bow down to conform to your set of rules, it made me realize what boulevard I am unconsciously heading. Thank You. I learned enemies are not to be hated, and that education is eternally mandatory for a good life in the future.

No matter how much we hated it to visit the farm, you obliged us to and I discovered the beauty of nature in the process. I learned to embrace simplicity and happiness in small, essential things in life. Thank You. And though you haven’t done well in taking care of the place, still learning from your mistake helped me to be more wary in dealings with people.

You had your share of mistakes pa, and some of it I learned to forgive but I can never eradicate it from my scattered memory. I’m sorry. As they say, only amnesia and death can erase everything we want to forget. But through you, I have, for the first time in my entire life, appreciated mama. She has drawn a clear picture of what true, unconditional love is, she demonstrated sacrifice for the sake of the family, and she has shown how great your love for the three of us. Thank You.

Thank You papa for giving up your comfy life style here in Davao to work for us. Your job in Japan is strenuous enough for young, healthy men and I never thought of you doing it but you did. Thank You. Please keep yourself and mama safe and healthy. There is no need to worry about us here. You have raised us well and we are old enough to discern \what is right (or wrong for us).

Everytime I see your photos in Japan, you look like those fathers in koreanovelas we usually watch on TV. It makes me smile all the time because I would imagine myself the female lead who has a father who works so hard for the family but who seem to end up doing the wrong thing all the time. You’re not that though, not all the time..hehehee…

I love you pa, and again, thank you.