What’s the most important thing your father has taught you?

My father, Mel Morales, taught me to stand up for what is right, even to the point of being unpopular. — Greg Morales, photojournalist

Proceso U. Udarbe taught me the value of respect and diplomacy. — Dr. Marge Alvarez, dean, SU College of Arts & Sciences

My father Benjamin A. Bokingo has taught me to read the Bible everyday. I’s a family tradition before breakfast. Bible-reading, a short revlection, and a prayer. Those start the day right for the whole family. — Ruben Bokingo, sugar planter

Policarpo Arbon taught me several important things, either in formal ways or by his silent deeds. He served the government at least 40 years. He taught me to keep my faith in God, and to try to keep my integrity because in the end, that’s the true measure of a public servant, or of any man, for that matter. — Atty. Manny R. Arbon, City Councilor

The most important thing my father Mauro Duran taught me is to always reach for my dreams. Ever since I was a child, he would push me to do whatever I aspired to do in life, and would support me all the way. Whatever my goals, decisions, and aspirations in life are, he is there to encourage me. He molded me to be a go-getter, and to never doubt myself and my dreams. — Maureen Duran, retail specialist, Globe Telecom

Have a great sense of humor. That’s what my late father Ricardo Chua taught me. — Dr. Patrick “Bebot” Chua, orthodontist

My father Raul V. Dumalag has taught me a lot of things but the most important lesson he has taught me and my brothers is to be obedient to God, and to never waiver our faith in Him even in the most difficult times in our lives. My father would tell us that the only way to experience true and lasting happiness is for us to experience hardships. — Nanette Sanglay, proprietor, Infomate Computer Systems

Hold on to your dream, my father Atty. Herminio K. Ozoa would tell me. — Dr. Susan Denura.

My father, the late Dr. Raymundo R. Dato, taught me to strive for excellence in my career and in all my endeavors. He deeply instilled in me the virtue of walking closely with God. He always reminded me to take good care of my health and finances, and to value family and friendships. — Judge Arlene Dato

My father Ranulfo Limpiado gave me wisdom, and taught me life skills. — Dr. Palma Jane Lozano, dentist

My Dad, Judge Rosendo Bandal, has taught me the importance of moral uprightness. And also to always stand for what you believe is right. — Atty. Ivan M. Bandal, 6th placer, 2012 Bar

Loyalty. My father Ben Beatingo stayed through thick and thin with my Mama despite all their difficulties/hardships and struggles. When my Mama got sick, and was admitted at the hospital for almost a month, Daddy never left her side. I thank God for my father. — Leah Beatingo, Account Coordinator, Creative Concepts Events Planner

Honesty. At all times, my Daddy, Giovanni Nessia, taught me to do what is right and decent. — Rachelle Nessia, information officer, Philippine Information Agency

Gregorio “Goring” E. Uymatiao has taught me the value of honesty and hard work. Through him I have learned to view life from a delayed gratification point of view. He often reminded us that in facing difficulties in life, we have to know how to to swallow bitterness. — Gilbert Uymatiao, proprietor, Matiao Trading

From my grandfather Vicente Sinco to my father Leandro Sinco: “You are not needed in the United States; you are needed here [in Negros Oriental].” From Leandro Sinco to Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco: “If you care, then I care. If you don’t care, then I don’t.” — Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco, vice president-Finance & Administration, Foundation University

The most important thing that my father Dante Matiao has taught me is the strength to carry on against all odds. Whenever I feel blue, my father is always there to give his unconditional support, and to enlighten me with all his words of wisdom. Words that really make an impact. My father is not concerned on how society or life as a whole looks at me but rather, how I look at life, and how I’d be able to survive it. Fathers may be unappreciated sometimes but they will always have that important role in our lives that no one could ever take, no matter how much we may deny it. Without our fathers, we will never be complete. I love you so much, Pa. — Diane Grace D. Uy Matiao, 2nd year Physical Therapy student

My father, [Puerto Princesa] Mayor Edward Hagedorn, taught me altruism, patience, and concern for the needy. After I told my Dad that he is too soft-hearted and compassionate to a fault, he quietly answered: “A person has to swallow his pride and endure so much humiliation to approach and ask someone for help. I won’t say no to a person if I can help it.” — Eva “Tikay” Villegas

My father, Vicente “Tico” Locsin Jr., taught me to always take life with a grain of salt. After all, without salt, life will be tasteless. He would tell me that humor makes one smile or even laugh, thus, making life’s burden lighter to carry. That was his trademark. — Christy Bollos, proprietor, Plaza Maria Luisa

My dad Julio Sy is a man who leads by example. He always tells us to be mindful of what we say and do; that respect is earned, not inherited; that success is not measured by the material gains one acquires but how much one is able to give back especially to those who need most; to value the simple blessings in life such as the love of family and friends; to be God-fearing, and to be thankful for all the abundant blessings he has given us. Let me take this chance to greet him and all the great dads a Happy Father’s Day! I love you, Dad, now and forever! — Cong. Josy Limkaichong, 2nd District, Negros Oriental

My father Titing Kho taught me stay humble no matter what station I reach in life, and to always be ready to serve others. I know I don’t do it often enough but he set a standard for us to follow. — Dr. Krypton Kho, neurosurgeon

The most important thing my father Tristan Barrios taught me is to be God-fearing, and that family comes first. Time management and commitment are also very important. — Trisha Marie P. Barrios, 3rd year Medical Technology student

“Be patient!”, my dad Teodoro Antonio would always say. — Engr. Arnold Antonio, proprietor, A.T. Antonio Construction

My father, Emilio C. “Dodo” Macias, was never one who would lecture or sermon to me and my siblings about his principles in life. He would always prefer to just be the example. Among the things I saw and learned from him were his simplicity and humility, work ethic, integrity, and fidelity, especially in public office. — Dr. Mark Macias, orthopedic surgeon

As a child, I was such a scaredy-cat. Even the smallest things worried me. There were things I didn’t do for fear of getting hurt or humiliated. My Dad, Atty. Ismael “Pempo” Martinez, told me not to be a prisoner of my fears, especially that we know God is omnipresent. As a grown-up now and having my own family, my fears and worries may have grown but I always remember what my Dad told me, which has helped me spread my wings, and be more confident. — Atty. Pristine Raymond, junior partment, EDLaw Office

My father, Atty. Tiongson, taught me honesty and integrity. — Dr. Santiago Tiongson, pediatrician

The greatest thing that my father Salvador “Badong” Vista taught me is that we must always be cognizant of what we are in size compared to the universe: humility. — Dr. Elizabeth Susan Suarez, dean, SU College of Performing & Visual Arts

My Dad, Albert Tecson, would tell me: Never be afraid to make a mistake but always try to learn from it. — Polo R. Tecson, 2nd year BS Information Systems student

The most important things my father Rev. Noriel C. Capulong has taught me is to work hard with determination and perseverance to achieve; respect all others without prejudice; always be ready to reach out and help others; be kind and giving; try to keep smiling and happy at all times despite difficult moments one might face; and mainly, my father instilled in me the values of our faith. Happy Fathers Day! — Chesedh Dalisay B. Capulong, nutritionist, Visayas Community Medical Center

The most important thing my father Rene Armogenia taught me while I was growing up is the fear of God. That in everything I did, if it were for his glory, nothing will be in vain. My Dad shows me hard work; he always said there are no shortcuts to success. — Ritchie T. Armogenia, proprietor-chef, KRI Restaurant

My father Atty. Jose Tiongson taught me integrity and discipline. — Angelo “Beloy” Tiongson, executive assistant, Office of the Provincial Govenror

My father Rodolfo Gonzalez taught me honesty, love of family, and the need to be God-fearing. — Valencia Mayor Ricky Gonzalez

Teodero Cordova taught me strength and honor. He did not say it exactly that way but he always told us — especially his three sons — to stand up for ourselves and fight, and to work hard for what we believe in, whatever the odds. He did back-breaking manual labor to sustain us since he didn’t even have one semester of college; but he read a lot, and was really into history. He would leave before 7am on a bike, and come home only after 7pm as a laborer. Yet, he built a modest house for us with his bare hands, and sent us four kids to a private school. That’s why I learned carpentry and masonry at an early age. Now my father is over 70, has suffered three strokes, and hardly sees any of his kids. My mother tells me he cries when he hears from us children. — Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova

By Myrna Peña-Reyes

Father thigh-deep in the sea
lapping gently against his body
carries me against his chest
his free hand peeling seaweed off
my feet his hips
flinging them aside
as he strides forward
stops and shifts me onto his back
then dog paddles into deeper water

flown away elsewhere forever.

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