I LOVE YOU DAD!

Last March 2012, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Prior to this he has a very active schedule. Tuesday is his schedule to serve as a lay minister in our nearby parish - Sta.Clara de Montefalco Church. I remember he always tell me that as a lay minister you should always keep your commitments. He often makes joke about how eager lay ministers attend during the first day of 'Simbang Gabi' but slowly dwindles as it progress and again attends back on the last day so that they can say that they have completed the whole nine day mass (hehe). I can picture him wearing this white long sleeve polo with a necklace chain and a cross pendant which symbolizes their group as lay ministers. He is good in logistics and enjoys a good challenge in procuring and outsourcing materials needed for the group (such as medallions, flags, etc.). He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus which is also a group affiliated with the church. I never knew much about their activities.

And every Sunday, he does not miss the opportunity to play tennis with his buddies in a private owned court by the Lopa. Whenever we talked via skype, I always asked him how many games he played last Sunday and who won and what's the score. I can sense if he did not play well when he reply "My purpose really is to have an exercise and to sweat it out". Haha.. at the back of my mind, I tell myself he lost.. We would continue the conversation telling him that he should take it easy when he plays tennis. At age 76, he is still solid at the net and can return your shot with good volley shot. I always tell him not to ran after a ball which might make him loose balance. And I think he got my point as he always reply "those days have long gone where my reflexes are better. I just take sure and steady shots." I can sense that he really like his tennis friends based on the level tone he has during the conversation. Whenever there is an occasion, he never fails to contribute the group's favourite "lumpiang sariwa". And after playing, they go to coffee shop and restaurant were they spend the rest of the day exchanging stories and laughter.

Besides his tennis activity, he tends to our little food store ''carinderia" at home. I remember his schedule starts after lunch around 2pm up to 7pm. This is the time when my mom takes a break and he took over. I know that he gets bored with this task but its a role he had to fill in. Every Saturday after a family morning jogging in CCP, he goes to my house in Cavite. He basically maintains it, keeping it on a tip top shape.

He is an all-around dad and very dependable. His always there ready to help me and my brother including my mom.

On April 20,2012, he was pronounced dead around 7:20pm. It was the saddest day of my life. I lost my dad, my best friend, my mentor in life. I'm gonna miss him. Bye dad, I know you are in a better place now.

I LOVE YOU DAD!