The Great Men

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM PAPA?

MARTY

Natutunan ko ke papa ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon. Istrikto yan pagdating sa pag-aaral naming magkakapatid. Laging pinapaalala na yan magdadala sa amin sa magandang buhay. Sa kanya ko rin natutunan paano kumayod para sa kanyang pamilya. Wala na akong alam na ibang tao na kayang buhayin at pag-aralin sa magagandang eskwelahan ang anim na anak. Mainitin ang ulo pero me ginintuang puso.

CHINKOY

Ang hindi ko makakalimutan ay noong bata pa ako ay madalas akong magpunta sa bukid kasama ng mga kaibigan ko. Madalas doon ay nangunguha kami ng mga “pakwan” ng hindi sa amin. Masarap at masaya sa pakiramdam ko noon: Masaya dahil ang daming pakwan sa bukid na pwede naming kunin at masarap dahil kung paano namin ito buksan at kainin - binabagsak namin ito sa lupa at tsaka namin kakainin ang wasak na pakwan; walang kasing sarap kumain ng sariwang pakwan. Sa kabila ng aking kagalakan, lingid sa kaalaman ko ang kalubhaan ng aking nagawa. Araw-araw nangunguha kami ng pakwan, hanggang sa nahuli na kami ng may-ari. Hindi ko inaasahan na ang may-ari ng pakwan ay nakilala ako dahil kilala niya pala si Papa. Akala ko noon ay OK na dahil pinauwi na ako ng may-ari noon, pero sumunod pala sa bahay ang may-ari ng pakwan at kinausap si Papa para magsumbong. Nang makaalis na ang may-ari ng pakwan ay tinawag ako ni Papa. Pinalo ako ni Papa ng sinturon ng ilang beses at pinalabas ng bahay.. Alam ko na sa sarili ko na malala ang nagawa ko. Simula noon ay hindi na ako nanguha ng pakwan sa bukid. Pero favorite ko parin kainin ang pakwan dahil naaalala ko ito sa tuwing kumakain ako ng pakwan. J

Even though we seldom talk or have a quality time together, Papa, I learned things from you and you gave me plenty.. I was able to grow up staring at your back, Papa.. Thank you and Happy Father’s day, Papa! J

JR

Mama brought me to life; Papa provided me this kind of life.

Without Papa, I wouldn't have fully appreciated the importance of education. Because of him, I have believed that the real aristocracy is aristocracy in intellect. Because of him, I am the person that I am right now. Whatever happens, I will always follow his lead, will always follow into his footsteps, will always follow the leader of the band.

BOLET

Wag puro chicken or whatsoever ang kainin,dapat mga isda steak etc kasi eto ang pang first class ty

OGIE

Papa always reminds us of how important morals and education are. We are disciplined in a traditional way and we value education as much as our future depends on it. But papa doesn't just remind us of these, he shows us and he serves as our example.

I believe behind every success you achieve is your desire for us to follow your footsteps, and for that I promise I will be as great as you are. And if you demand something greater, I will try harder. I am glad and proud that I am your daughter, pa. I am very lucky that you love me this much, and I love you more than you think. I always try to give my best in the things I do because I love hearing you say "naglaing ti annakon." To make you proud is always my goal. Thank you for everything! You already are the best lawyer, professor, president, commissioner, governor, but you are better as a father. Happy father's day pa! I love you!

POPOP

Si papa ang pinaka "the best" na papa kasi tinuruan niya ako kung paano maging chik boy! At pati na rin sa mga jokes niya, natutunan ko rin yun. Haha! Seriously, papa is simply the best because i learned a lot from him. He taught me how to discipline myself, and that made me a better man. Pero ang pinaka importante sa lahat ng natutunan ko sa kanya ay ang pagmamahal niya sa amin mga anak niya, ginagawa niya lahat para maging masaya kami, at parati syang nandyan para tulungan kami. Everyday i always think of what my papa taught me and as my life goes on i will never ever forget what i learned from the best father. Happy father’s day pa!

BELLIA

You mean everything to me and I thank you for coming to my life. I'm so grateful and blessed for your undying love and care, and for the support and hardwork you’ve done for me and for our family despite all the ups and down we've encountered. Thank God we are still one. Happy Father's Day! I always love you!

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT CHINKOY?

MARTY

Hanga ako kung paano niya patakbuhin ang pamilya. Simple at tahimik na tao pero pursigido at determinado.

JR

Ang bagay na hindi natin masusuklian kay Kuya Chinkoy ay binigyan tayo ng constant source of overflowing and infinite joy - sina Zalo Boy at Iggy Boy. Forever yang tatatak sa puso't isipan natin.

Isama mo pa yung fact na napakabait, hinahon, masayahin at appreciative ni Kuya sa atin, kahit sa mga maliliit lang na bagay.

Kuya, tandaan mo na laging nasa likod mo lang kami, sa hirap at ginhawa!

BOLET

Kuya thank you for always understanding, Thank you for all the great advice and the never ending support. You’re the man talaga! Happy father’s day! #thenorthremembers

OGIE

Kuya Chinkoy, I've seen how much you've changed since you became a father and it makes me feel proud that you are doing great. You are responsible and hardworking and you love your family dearly. Thank you for bringing happiness in the family through Zalo and Iggy.

As Tyrion said, "[n]ever forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."

POPOP

Since bata pa ako ikaw na yung idol ko kuya, kasi kamuhka kita e. ahihi. Nandito lang kami para sayo, yo da best! Happy father’s day Kuya Chinkoy!



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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, PAPA and KUYA CHINKOY! WE LOVE YOU! :)

Learning from Mama

It was Saturday morning and our family was just having our usual morning conversations when papa mockingly read out loud the title of a featured article from the newspaper - "Learnings from your Mother." What learnings have you had from your mom? asked he jokingly. Mama would always nag and talk and throw comments on everything but this time, she was quiet. I knew she wanted to hear what we have to say but that part of the conversation went swift and was answered with another joke. 

I couldn't let that question pass. I couldn't let her keep wondering what learnings really have we gained from her nor could I let her doubt even the simple fact that yes, mama, we've been learning a lot from you even during the times when you're not trying. 

We gave this question a thought and came up with some learnings we had from you, mama. 

MARTY (What is your eldest has to say about you?)

"I learned what is genuine motherly love. I learned from her how to cook igado. I learned from her that when you put your best effort in everything that you do, you'll never go wrong. I learned from her the expression 'ay grabeh!'"

CHINKOY (What is the father of your lovable grandchildren has to say?) 

"Ang natutunan ko kay mama ay huwag mangupit ng pera. Tumatak kasi ito sa akin noong bata pa ako. Natatandaan ko noon, inutusan ako ni mama na kunin ang wallet niya sa kwarto nila ni papa, nadatnan kong nakabukas ang wallet ni mama at nakita ko madaming 20 peso bill at kumuha ako ng isa. Lingid sa kaalaman ko ay alam ni mama ang bilang ng pera niya sa wallet. Noong inabot ko na kay mama ang wallet niya ay tinanong niya ako, bakit kulang pera niya. Sabi ko, hndi ko alam. Lumapit si mama sa akin at kinuha niya ang 20 peso bill sa aking bulsa at pagkatapos ay hinampas niya ang aking kamay ng malakas at sabi niya, huwag kang mangungupit ng pera. Tumakbo ako sa taas at doon ay umiyak ako ng patahimik. Simula noon, hindi na ako nangupit ng pera. Yun nga lang, after noon ay nagnakaw naman ako ng "sandya" sa bukid. Si papa naman ang nagalit sa akin noon. Ikukuwento ko na lang sa father's day ito para kay papa naman. 😊"

JR (What is the comment of your strictest son?) 

"Yung pagiging selfless ni Mama. Small things like pag may request tayong merienda siya mismo pupunta sa market at bibili, or kung kelangan natin ng pera ay sya mismo magdedeposit sa bangko, or maghahanap sya ng katulong sa remote places.

Ginive up nga nya ang profession at career nya para maging full time mother. Di na nga rin sya bumibili ng mga gamit nya para maprovide nya mga needs at wants natin.

Yan ang natutunan ko kay Mama at gusto kong gayahin yan pag ako naging magulang.

Selfless, hands-on Mother. Yan ang true love. Amen!"

BOLET (How about your emotional and loving son?) 

"Yung pagiging maaalahanin nya. Yung tipong text ng text, tawag ng tawag kahit sinasabi nating nakakairita na pero deep down gusto din natin yun. 😢"

OGIE (What have I, your  unica hija, got to say?)

"I'm learning from mama how to be strong. You've been into hard situations, I could name all the problems you've been through and make people cry, but I've seen you fight all them unbelievably. You stood strong, you confronted the pain and I rarely saw you cry. The next day you're fine like nothing hurtful happened. I know you've been mastering this kind of strength through all the years you've been living and l am trying to do what you do best. I draw my strength from you." 

POPOP (Let's hear from your quiet bunso)

"My mom taught me how to face the real world. I learned from her that I need to be serious in everything I do in my life and make me become a successful man." 

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You know what is so amazing about you ma? Is that you give us genuine motherly love. You are the mother of six children and also like a mother to your husband; you are old and tired, you are stressed but you never forget to love us first before yourself. All the simple things you do for us which we criticize and make fun of first are things we are truly thankful for and greatly appreciate. 

We hate ourselves for causing you stress and sadness; we regret the bad things we do; we share the pain with you even when it doesn't show; we even cry when we hurt you. We are hard on you ma but please do not ever forget that we love you very much for whatever you do and whatever you are. You are our family's source of happiness, love and strength. 

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BUT WAIT MAMA, there's more! 

A message from papa: 

"Her loving concern for me is what I admire the most. Not only is she my wife but she is my servant and my nurse. She takes care of me the best way she can. I got sickness, rayuma, skin disease, and through her unselfish love for me, I gained relief whenever she does the things she has to do. Only she can do these things and she can do it best for me. She loves me, I have no doubt about that and I have loved her, I still love her, and I will always love her."  (FYI: Mama is like papa's second mom. She puts on lotion to papa and mama ties papa's shoe lace when he has rayuma.) 

(I got teary eyes and I saw papa secretly wept. Oh love!) 

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, MAMA! Thank you for everything and thank you for your great love. We want you to be happy always. Have a very happy mother's day! ❤️