Things your Dad does in secret

Lollétte Oliva-Alipe

Posted on momofmultitudes.blogspot.com

(Note: “Dad” is the father of Gabby, vocalist of Urbandub and Josh, vocalist of Sirens. He is dad to 4 biological kids, 4 half-Italian foster kids, one adopted toddler, and “DaddyLo” to one granddaughter.)

Are you shocked? Yes, your darling father does a lot of things you do not know. But before you conjure images of him with a fedora, shades and talking to underworld characters, let me put your minds to rest.

I know you all have the usual images of him as father – dressed up and going off to one of the many meetings for the day, lugging with his ubiquitous bag; saying good bye as he leaves yet again for his weekly commute to Manila; texting a reply to his business partner at the middle of a meal; or suddenly bursting out singing “Nobody, nobody but you!” during a meeting! You know how people come to him for advice or for help. He is powerful yet he never abuses his power; he is brilliant but he always takes the time to explain things to those who cannot understand his strategies.
What I want to share with you are the small unseen things he does because he loves you.

Did you know that he deliberately does not use P100 or P20 bills when paying for something because he collects them for your allowance; and that no matter how tired he is after work, he sits by his side of the bed to set your allowance? When he notices that I did not put your money on the designated spot, he would be the one to do it, even though he is very sleepy.

While in Manila, he always texts me, “Kamusta na kayo?”even though he is in the middle of something. And he always eagerly listens, so even though he’s not home that often, he knows everything there is to know about what’s happening with you and he tells me what to tell you, or he says, “Okay, don’t worry, I’ll be the one to talk to him.”

While his job has national importance, he always put more weight in his role as your father.

Each time he turned down a bribe, he had you in his mind.

He walks with the rich and powerful but nothing makes him happier than to be home with us. He is proud of all of you and carries our family picture to show off every chance he gets. One of his favorite things to do is bring all of us out for lunch or dinner.

He enjoys listening to your lively banter around the table. And you how he is when he starts getting in with the fun!

He looks very stern and I know that many people find him scary. But, watch out! His facial expression immediately softens when he watches you sing or dance. He is the ultimate stage father.

He is an achiever – serving three presidents, becoming an undersecretary – and was even being offered higher positions of national importance in the government. He always turned them down because it would have meant that he would be away from us for longer periods. He never works so that he would be known. His work is always about us, his family.

Dad has done many great things but it is the small things he does for us because he loves us that make him such a wonderfully gentle and loving father.