there is an inspiring email circulating online written by the late DILG secretary jesse robredo to his daughter. the first time i read it, i was reminded of my own father. that's exactly how he motivates us, in his well-thought-of words of wisdom in mix english and tagalog. it was like reading his handwritten letters he sent me thru mail when i started college in manila. similar to his almost daily text messages (which unfortunately were not kept and saved) that aimed to keep me inspired and remembered. mr. robredo and my father think alike and talk alike. and i wonder if that really is a fatherly thing. maybe that's one requirement every father (or parent) should meet. encouraging.
unlike mr. robredo's daughter though, i never had the chance to heed tatay's advice when work started to burn me out, when i felt the need to find my rightful place in the society. my father died three months before i finish college. i would have heard more wise words from him. i would have been wiser in my decision-making. but i also believe that what he taught me with in all the steps i took prior to experiencing the usual issues of a young adult prepared me on what lies ahead.
when i was enrolling as a college freshman, i was among the minority of the group. in the entire taxing and daunting process of enrollment in a big university, not once did i have a parent or guardian beside me. the majority were accompanied by both or either one of their parents, from queuing up for registration, to medical exam, to application for scholarships. but his letters made me tougher, more independent, more self-assured that i can handle all things. that at a tender age of 16, i am a responsible adult, fully capable of making significant decisions, confident to speak to all the adults that surround me. when i only got shortlisted to the original course i chose and i was undecided on what other course to take instead, he didn't decide for me nor give me hints in any way. i was afraid that i will take something i may not finish in the end. but he told me that he trusts me and if i ever feel like i can't handle the course, i can decide to quit, shift or continue. when the need to decide arises, i will know what is best to do.
and he was right about that. and i think, in life, in order for us to become stronger, better versions of ourselves, we need somebody like that.
unlike mr. robredo's daughter though, i never had the chance to heed tatay's advice when work started to burn me out, when i felt the need to find my rightful place in the society. my father died three months before i finish college. i would have heard more wise words from him. i would have been wiser in my decision-making. but i also believe that what he taught me with in all the steps i took prior to experiencing the usual issues of a young adult prepared me on what lies ahead.
when i was enrolling as a college freshman, i was among the minority of the group. in the entire taxing and daunting process of enrollment in a big university, not once did i have a parent or guardian beside me. the majority were accompanied by both or either one of their parents, from queuing up for registration, to medical exam, to application for scholarships. but his letters made me tougher, more independent, more self-assured that i can handle all things. that at a tender age of 16, i am a responsible adult, fully capable of making significant decisions, confident to speak to all the adults that surround me. when i only got shortlisted to the original course i chose and i was undecided on what other course to take instead, he didn't decide for me nor give me hints in any way. i was afraid that i will take something i may not finish in the end. but he told me that he trusts me and if i ever feel like i can't handle the course, i can decide to quit, shift or continue. when the need to decide arises, i will know what is best to do.
and he was right about that. and i think, in life, in order for us to become stronger, better versions of ourselves, we need somebody like that.
