Tomorrow, June 19, is Father’s Day. It is also Jose Rizal’s 150th (and incidentally my own 79th) birthday.
But let’s put birthdays aside. I want to pay tribute to Fathers. Great fathers make strong and great nations. While mothers provide love, the tenderness, and the care that give the sons emotional security, it is the fathers as bread winners who provide the manly image and values. The ways, the manners, the drive, and the work ethic of the father are always passed on to the son. * * * We don’t have to go far. Look at the local landscape. The business and political leaders we have are sons of great fathers. In business, we have Roseller Ciocon, son of Teofisto Ciocon and Lourdes Concha. He owns and runs L’Fisher Hotel and other businesses. While Teofisto died early, Lourdes provided the love, care, and was an outstanding business entrepreneur herself. J.V. Tampinco, another hotelier, is the son of Raul Tanpinco and Imelda Gonzaga. Raul was a good friend of ours. J.V. runs the many family enterprises. There are many more whose business acumen was handed down by their father. * * * But more interesting are our incumbent political leaders. I have not seen one of their fathers in scandals of their time. They provided a good image and examples to their sons. Most of them were my contemporaries. Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. is the son of the late Provincial Board member Alfredo Marañon Sr. Now, Freddie is father to Congressman Alfredo Marañon III. Mayor Evelio Leonardia is the son of Court of First Instance Clerk of Court the late Jose Leonardia. Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson is the son of my old friend, the late Bacolod Vice-Mayor Jovito Sayson. * * * Among the councilors, Elcid Familiaran is the son of my late friend in media Beneldez Familiaran. Councilor Carlo Lopez is the son of a fellow Sunshine Boy, the late Manolo Lopez. Congressman Anthony Golez is the son of my partner at Sunshine Channel, retired president of big mining firms in Manila, Rolando Golez. Congressman Albee Benitez is the son of a former Cabinet member Jolly Benitez. And Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer is the son of my friend Peding Ferrer of La Carlota. Silay Mayor Oti Montelibano is the son of Freddie Montelibano and his Vice-Mayor Mark Golez is the son of my other friend Jimmy Golez. Talisay Mayor Eric Saratan is the son of my co-teacher at La Salle, Tito Saratan. And his Vice-Mayor Niel Lizares is the son of another friend, Boy Nilo Lizares. Bago Vice Mayor Nico Yulo is the son of a fellow Sunshine Boy Buc-an Yulo. * * * These are only a few I have mentioned because of the limited space. But try going over the names of our elected political leaders, they are the children of great father. This is a challenge to our leaders. If you want your children to follow your footsteps, be careful not to stain the name. I cannot see how an official convicted of corruption or abuse of power can have their children present themselves as candidates with the bad record of their father. Voters will reject them. * * * It is in recognition of the important role of the father that a day was devoted to honor them on the third Sunday of June. It was first celebrated in Spokane, Washington, U.S. in 1910, as a counterpart of Mother’s Day. It is a blessing to be a father. My children are keeping it from me but they have something to surprise me, on my birthday. My son Steve built a Chapel in my farm as his thanksgiving for their prayers after I recovered from my ailment. On my birthday, a day after, it will be consecrated by our Bishop Vicente Navarra with the parish priest of Brgy. Taloc in Bago, Fr. Nonot Mediodia. One requirement of a father is to have their children close to God. * * * For all his achievements, Jose Rizal lacks something. He has not sired a son. He should be happy though, he has great, great, greatgrand nephews in syndicated columnist Johnny Mercado and outstanding local broadcaster Vic Mercado. Rizal is a Mercado, son of Francisco Mercado and Teodoro Alonso. Both Johnny and Vic have depth and substance in the opinion Johnny writes and Vic broadcasts. * * * FEEDBACK: A lady was in a crowded bus, sitting uncomfortably next to a big man. Gathering her wit, she told the man, “Excuse me. But you look like the father of my two sons. Are you not?” The fellow got off the bus in the next bus stop. She became comfortable.* Primo Esleyer Visayan Daily Star
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