Life with our Father gave us valuable virtues we have carried throughout life. He showed us Christian values through examples in words, and actions.
He was properly groomed most especially at mealtime, very different from what some family members show these days, especially the male, half naked and lousy table manners. A hat was a part of his clothing needs, and a coat (overcoat) when needed.
He was careful with the words he said when reprimanding us, a proper disciplinarian - as to the ways he used to punish us. We only had to look at his eyes and see how he moved his head to know what he wanted us to do.
Remembering Loved Ones
We always looked forward to moments of joy on paydays when he takes us out for lunch for the different recipes from what our Inang Tina prepares, Chinese cuisine at Ongpin, T. Pinpin and other China town eateries, Ambos Mundos & Antigua.
After a long vacation for two months, he makes sure that we will have the needed clothes for our school days. He takes us to Gandara for new pairs of footwear. Saturdays were days of making sure we were tidied up. He gives us hair cuts and nail-trimming.
Tatay taught at San Nicolas Elem. School at night. Before he leaves, he takes dinner with us. But we know that we will always have something to eat when he comes home after 9:00 p.m. San Nicolas Elem. School is located in Binondo, China town.
We enjoy walking to school with our Tatay ahead taking small steps on the way to keep us on time and stopping at street corners when traffic is carried out.
With our Lola Tina, he sends us to venerate the Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage at Antipolo for a nine day pilgrimage. He takes us along to his roots to know our kins
Death Ends Life, Relationships of Love Live On
Christmas day was a day for the family to have a reunion with relatives and friends.
He made sure to take us to relatives to greet and pay respect. How happy we were to receive the twenty centavo coins we received from our elders and the pan de sal with a slice of Chinese ham and cups of steaming hot chocolate.
He was with us at study time. We had a family doctor to attend to us when we were sick. He stayed with us to see to our needs.
Tatay knew the importance of education for life. We had good reading materials, dailies to know current events, and books on history, and prayer books for knowing about God.
Values We Live By
When we came home from school, he looked into our bags. We were taught to avoid taking things not ours. Anything not ours has to be returned to the owner.
Ours was a time when children had to listen, we were trained to know, give meaning and understand what our parents wanted us to do to become good, obedient and loving children. We grew up knowing about the value of the family, the need for respect and love for others and above all the love and fear of God.
We praise the good Lord for giving us our Parents and Elders, examples of God's instruments of love.
Bless our Parents & Elders, Lord.
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