When I was very young, about three years old, my Mom was sent to attend training sessions in other countries and all over the Philippines. Basically, it was my Dad who took care care of me then. I can also recall spending time with my Lolo and Lola in San Pablo City whenever my Dad needed to work and someone had to take care of me.

Titled “Men Of Connected Women,” this series pays tribute to the wonderful men who’ve made an impact in our lives. These are the men who’ve inspired us, helped us, mentored us, raised us. Because behind every woman is a man who has made her who she is today. In the article below is a touching tribute of a daughter for her father, who felt that she was rebellious, but wants to make it up to him.

When I was very young, about three years old, my Mom was sent to attend training sessions in other countries and all over the Philippines. Basically, it was my Dad who took care care of me then. I can also recall spending time with my Lolo and Lola in San Pablo City whenever my Dad needed to work and someone had to take care of me.

We were living at the Manzano’s Compound then when I was young. Then in 1981, my parents decided to build their own home at San Isidro Village. Due to lack of funds, my Dad was forced to work outside the country. He went to Dammam, KSA to work as a telephone operator, I believe. Then after a year or two, he was transferred to Riyadh, KSA to work as a computer operator at Saudi Telecommunications Company.

I only got to see him once a year whenever he would have his vacations in the Philippines. Those were very short vacations which I neglected to enjoy.

Back in 1982, I was bullied in school. My classmates were teasing me up to the point that I had to skip classes and spend the afternoon at the waiting shed. Then someone, a teacher perhaps, asked me what I was doing there, and I told her everything. This prompted my Mom to have me take an exam in a different school for which during the exam day, the primary bully also took the exam.

I never left my elementary school and continued my studies there. I remember those instances where in my Dad and I, during his vacations, would wait for my Mom to get out of the office and spend our time eating a burger at Burger Machine.

Then when I was in first year high school, my Dad was able to apply family visas for us, and I was able to have short vacations in Riyadh, KSA twice a year. I remember there was this one Christmas vacation when I was there and my Dad got laid off. We stayed at my Aunt’s place then and with my dad’s savings, he gave me a Swatch watch and Nike shoes as his Christmas gifts for me.

Looking back, I was, you could say, NOT an ideal daughter. I would have fights with my dad and even ran away once when we had a terrible fight. Such an ungrateful daughter, right? When this man had practically sacrificed his whole prime years away from his family just to put food on our table and fund the unfinished home we had back then.

Ama, if you are reading this now, do know that I love you with all my heart and that I’m very grateful to God that I have you as my Dad. No one could ever replace you and for me, you’re the best Dad in the whole, wide world! Thank you for the unconditional love you have shown me since I was little. You never stopped loving me even though I have been rebellious before. Although you lose your patience with me sometimes, I believe any Dad would have shown love for his child.

You are my HERO… that one person besides Ina who I know I could ALWAYS count on. I LOVE YOU PO and Happy Father’s Day!!! ❤ ❤ ❤