November 12, 2014: To My Favorite Dad

Hi Daddyyyyy,

I just want to say that I think you’re pretty great, and this blog post is not enough for me to express all of that. Yes, you’ve read correctly, I am posting this letter on my blog, because I want people to know (more or less) what kind of a dad you are.

I know it’s been difficult without mum around, and I’m sure it was the hardest during the first few years without her. I know you miss her everyday, and probably much more than we miss her. But I just want to let you know that if I were able to give her a feedback on how you’ve been doing as a single dad, I’d tell her that you’re doing such a wonderful job at not only keeping our house in order, but also making sure that we have a comfortable home.  I know for sure that she would be so proud to know that.

I always look forward to eating at home, because our meals are not only healthy, but also very delicious.  I no longer see the need to order salmon in restaurants (sometimes I even think that they’re rather a rip off), because I know that we have better and bigger salmon at home (us already... kami na po ang may salmon). Of course, occasionally, I still would want to have some sashimi, or that baked salmon at Conti’s. But nevertheless, thank you for making salmon as one of our regular ulams. Plus, thank you for making sure that we not only have ice cream in the freezer, but that we have Tilamook ice cream a.k.a one of the best ice creams in the world! My ice cream purchase went down, ever since you’ve decided to make that a regular.

Dad, you are the fittest person in our house. You bring kuya and I to shame, hahaha. In fact, I have heard a bunch of other people talk about how fit you are, and how they envy you for being able to tuck in your long sleeves shirts without having to worry about your stomach bulging out. I know we have no excuse to workout. And I continually aspire to be fit, because of how you and mum value fitness.

Thank you for your continuous support in my noble pursuit for higher learning. I am proud to be an iskolar ng bayan, but I am ultimately grateful for being an iskolar ni Audie, hahaha. Thank you for valuing knowledge, for reminding me that learning is a pursuit in itself, and nothing is ever wasted when you learn something. Thank you for always encouraging me to try things out, and for reminding me that I will never know how things will turn out, unless I try or do something about it.

When I think about my whole walk with God, I realized that it was easy for me to accept and see God as my Father, simply because of the love you’ve shown to us. It was easy for me to understand God’s discipline, because of the way you disciplined us with love. It was easy for me to easily talk to God, because you and mum made sure that we can talk to you about anything. So thank you for being a wonderful model of that.

Now that you’ve read this post, I guess that really makes me your favourite daughter. Sometimes I feel bad for my non-existent sisters, whenever you tell the sales people that I’m your favourite daughter, hahaha.  I never thought that I would consider my dad to be one of my best friends. I enjoy spending time with you –whether it be walking around the grocery store, watching movies late at night, or endlessly talking about the Godfather or quoting different movie lines, I enjoy every bit of it.  

A lot of sons and daughters may claim and say that they have the best dad in the world, and I’m not going to compete with that. So let me just say this: Among all the dads in the world, you’re my favourite.

Happy birthday daddy. I love you.

Your favourite daughter,
Jess

P.S.
Thanks as well for the very cool last name.