One prime memories of my childhood: I used to hide inside the body of a delivery ice truck parked in the side of the street whenever I forgot to go home before 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon and upon hearing the whistle call from my dad. I was a stubborn boy always being reminded by my parents not to stay late in the street because I still have to clean-up prior family dinner, do my school assignments, and pray. As I turned adult I’d realized that my parents’ directives have encouraged me good habits and behaviour. Another prime memory of my childhood: fishing became one of my favourite hobbies. It was my dad who had influenced me a lot in several activities like swimming, running, judo, basketball, table tennis, and many more. Whenever I see our photo in the beach (my dad with my eldest brother Kuya Celest and me) I can’t help to reminisce that day when my dad taught us to build our confidence in any sports; and to value and enjoy that particular sport.

When I joined a high school PMT bivouac (preparatory military training) for 3 days & 2 nights together with other city public high schools PMT representatives, my dad helped me packed the basic necessities for camping. My dad also shared with me safety survival guides and personal hygiene while camping. All that was given and shared to me by my dad proved to be very useful in that event. In the 60’s, my dad an architect by profession was amongst those recruited by the government of Saudi Arabia to help built roads and highways. During that period, the take home pay is grand; the government labour agency takes care of the recruitment on behalf of the principal who paid all the expenses from medical, passport, air ticket, decent food and lodging in the work place. And that motivated me to work also in Saudi Arabia in the 70’s in lieu of my good job at SMC.

There are plenty more that my dad had contributed to my well being; to my mom, brothers and sisters too; in short, to our family. He has an endless supply of positive spirit and is ready to pour it out on you in abundance. He is what we need in times of trouble! Ang Tatay Ko was there for our family to guide, train and nourished us with love. Ah, I may not inherit his talent but at least, I have absorbed some of his values.

Finally, I remember my Tatay for being a bulls-eye shooter – our eldest brother, his first son Kuya Celest was born on 18th May, the same date when my Tatay was born, 18 May 1922!