Happy 60th Birthday Daddy!

Growing up, my dad was my hero. My superman.

Not once did I doubt his love for me. In fact, I never showed any interest in boyfriends when I was in my teenage years because no one, I believed (or was I raised to believe? ;D), could love me more than my dad did. No boy could ever be as kind, as intelligent, as loving and caring as my father. No one, not one, measured up to my dad.

My earliest childhood memory associated with daddy is the life-sized doll he bought for me when he came back from a stint in Saudi Arabia. The happy memory of playing with that doll stands out in my mind. It was pretty, and when wound up, its blue eyes opened and close as it swayed from left to right to tune of a lullaby. When I started school, the times I needed help with my homework, I didn't run to my mom as most kids do. It was always to my dad, because if ever I had problems with homework, it was either in Math or Science, and my mom would always say Your dad knows that better. I also remember him helping me write an essay for some Science Contest, which I won at the District Level, and eventually brought me to the Regional Level. So it was my dad too who spurred my interest in writing.

I will never forget those times in college when I'd come home and my dad would be ready to cook everything my heart desired. He'd go really early to the market, make sure he can get fresh fish, cook sinigang just the way I like it, and set aside the parts that I love. Monday mornings, I would always be late for school, or miss classes altogether, because I just had to eat one more favorite that daddy concocted in the wee hours of dawn.

When I left home for Thailand, it was my dad who brought me to the airport. I found out later from my mom that my dad didn't leave the airport until he was sure that I had passed immigration. He stuck it out at the waiting area until my plane left. And that became a tradition. Then on my homecomings, as soon as he found out the date of my arrival, he'd start a countdown, and every single day, announce to the household how many days are left before THE day. Day of arrival, he'd be up really early, go to market, buy his ingredients, then cook up a storm so that I'd eat my favorite right on my first meal at home. These, he did, for me and all my siblings.

One thing that I like about my dad the most was his devotion to my mom. He and my mom were like Siamese twins. Inseparable. At times when my mom had to be away, my dad couldn't even sleep on their bed alone. Then long before mommy's arrival, he'd be up and about, ready to meet and welcome her. There was even a time that he wanted to go to the airport like a day before mommy was supposed to arrive. Funny, it could be sometimes, but I like that kind of love. I always prayed that if God would give me a life partner, it'd be someone like my dad, who loved my mom for life. They didn't have the perfect relationship, of course, but it was near perfect as it could be.

And I should never forget to mention that my dad was a channel through which I met my Saviour. Daddy's faith in God and his zeal for God's work has inspired me to work out my own relationship with Jesus. I am thankful that God is at work in my dad's life, and that He is giving my dad strength to move on and help finish His work here in Thailand.

Today is my dad's 60th birthday. It pains me to see my dad alone without my mom, but I just have to believe with all my heart, that this is what is best for him right now. I look forward to the day when I'd see my dad really happy again, when I will once more see the twinkle in his eyes, which understandably disappeared when my mom passed away. Last night, during his birthday celebration, we caught a glimpse of the old daddy, my daddy who used to be so happy with life.

Happy birthday Daddy! I love you!

Roo helping Lolo with the candles

Tito Jr is on the phone ready to sing Happy Birthday with us

Lolo's ice cream cake, his first.

My sis' creation: Lola's favorite, according to lolo.

Happy 60th birthday Lolo!