Happy Papa's Day!

I couldn't recall ever having written a real tribute to my father or to  'Papa' as we call him. Well, his character left my young mind with the impression that he wouldn't really like it that much. He's not really the emotional type or one who'd feel comfortable having accolades thrown at him or his personal attributes spoken or written for the public eye. Maybe it's the Sagittarius male side of him that shuns any overt display of emotion or he just wants things as simple and uncomplicated as possible . Nonetheless, and on the occasion of Father's Day tomorrow, June 21st, I feel it's only fitting that I wrote a few things about him that I know made an impact on me. He was after all taken from us at a young age of 60 (from a heart attack) and I was still in my teens then.  And he was also out of the country for a few years then stayed in the province months before he passed on, so those last few years with him have been an on again off again relationship with our father. Still and will always be the primary male personality in my life.

But I will often look back with fondness of those bits and pieces of kid's memories while he was with us. Will always love his sense of humor, his playful way with words to coax us little kids to comb his hair and rub his back while he tries to take a nap, and often me and my sister would exchange helpless glances at having our play interrupted after lunch. Now, I realized that it's probably Papa's way to keep us quiet and make us take our mandatory kiddie siesta because only a few seconds of combing his hair, both my sister and I would fall asleep before he does. Well played, Papa, well played. haha.

I also recall his protective ways in the simple things - like buying 'taho' one morning.  While my sister and I were rushing to go out with our glasses to buy taho that one sunny morning of long ago, Papa then stopped us from our tracks and asked us not to buy anymore and to return our glasses at the pantry. While mildly disappointed at missing our favorite morning treat, Papa then explained that he saw one of the neighbor's kids poked a finger inside the taho container, licked his fingers then poked the licked finger back at the soy inside. That's when Papa decided that we shouldn't buy our taho that day. I would always look back at that morning with a smile, Papa and his endearingly sweet way of protecting us. Oh, how he would have raised a fuss at what we put in our mouths these days!. Sorry, Papa! but that's another story and yes, thank you for saving us from that icky bacteria-infested finger of the little neighbor. hahaha.

And  I could  also associate morning coffee with him. He used to drink his coffee in this very large transparent mug and my sister and I would often take turns in drinking the last remaining 1/8 portion of his coffee. this we often referred to as our 'tira-kape' moment. He would call us and ask who wants that last part of his coffee and Leslie and I would come rushing to him to finish off the mug's content. Whoever gets to his side first wins the much-coveted coffee part. It's amazing how a simple thing as that can evoke one of the sweetest memories of my childhood. Up to this day, the way I prepare my own cup of coffee is reminiscent of the taste of how Papa makes his coffee.

And there are the poignant moments that I saw of him and Mama. With the two of them dancing sweetly to the sound of the music playing on the stereo. Both my parents love music so much and how they make it their unspoken ritual to dance to the soft melody. The memory of him and Mama dancing in our living room is still very much alive here in my mind. 

The songs he sings. The baritone voice, who can best the likes of Matt Monroe, Perry Como, Jack Jones. During parties (company gatherings or family get-togethers), he would be asked to sing and deep inside my very young mind, I felt every excitement hearing his voice. To this day, not even any of my brothers can hold a candle to his voice. Sorry, Mario, Mike and Bingo, but even your church choir experience is no match to Papa's voice and I'm sure you all would not disagree.

And that ampalaya moment. I remember one time when we only have ampalaya for lunch. To make the meal more enjoyable, he asked us to eat one portion of the bitter vegetable then drink water after. He advised that when one eats ampalaya, the water would taste differently and good. And that's how he made eating ampalaya such an exciting and tasteful experience for me. And to this day, I'm thankful that he did so as I'm sure I'm one of the few kids in our lifetime who enjoyed the bitter gourd growing up and beyond. Who knew such bitterness can lead to such a lifetime of sweetness.

Papa also is a man of few words. He is the kind of father na 'makuha ka sa tingin' type and my brothers & sister know that we shouldn't do anything to cross him when he's having a bad day. While he writes eloquently and can probably put up one chapter of book in writing us letters, when he speaks, you better listen. He doesn't want to repeat instructions, he seldom raise his voice but you can very well hear him when he talks. He is strict but not in the suffocating manner. It's more of just keeping us grounded and well-behaved. Because when it all comes down to it, he is also the kind of man who wants to have fun with family, with Mama and with his children and friends. As shown in these pictures. Too bad, I can't find our old album where he carries me so this only has my brothers with him and Mama.

Papa with Mama and my brothers Mario, Mike and Bingo

Papa (3rd from left) at a party in our cousin's house. Having a beer with  film stars and Mr. Eddie Garcia. My uncle was a scriptwriter in the movies and celebrities during their events were a common sight.

I would always remember the letters he wrote us, his advices, the wit of his essays, the metaphors of his writings. Too bad I lost a lot of his letters sent to me while he was away in the Middle East. I would have loved to reread them now. And maybe find a way to reconnect with him as there will always be a space inside this heart that would forever remain blank with his passing.

Papa, you will forever be missed and celebrated too!. Happy Father's Day!! Send my regards to the Greatest Father up there too!