Mr. Dream Boy

I was watching a replay of The Buzz in TFC one weekday morning when I caught Boy Abunda's interview with Angel Locsin. They were in that part where Angel's talking about his dad. She said that she can talk to him about everything under the sun.

Silently focused: “Didn't I have the chance to do the same with my father?”

He's an ex-military officer, a prudent lawyer, a perfectionist, a man of strong words and accomplished missions, a charismatic boss, an award-winning public speaker, a tough debater, an Atenean, a faithful husband, a disciplinarian, a generous friend, a strict father, a loving grandfather, a man of faith, logic and wisdom, the man I truly looked up to..my dream boy.. my Papa.

Papa's a father to four (4) children- Mommy Heidz, Auntie Mar, my dad, and Tita Grace. Because I grew up with them and my dad's only 18 when I was born, I was considered their 5^th. Everyone tells me that my accomplishments are the same as his. Eversince, I was considered as Papa's little-girly version. When he gets mad, he barely scolds me. He ASKS me. Later would I know that he has already went circles to circles to obtain the truth that I, myself had told him unknowingly. That made him a good lawyer and that made me speak of the truth most of the time. :)

He wasn't fed of a silver spoon when he was growing up. At an early age, he has even helped his grandparents by becoming a farmer. He got interested in writing articles and that brought him to a scholarship in the University of Manila where he took-up his pre-law. Writing became his passion and had been a part of the Manila Bulletin which has also paved way to a sholarship in Ateneo de Manila University where he took up the Law proper. During that time, he was studying and earning a living for his family. He was even engaged in doing public service. Everything went well because of his hard work, his faith and his courage. All of his kids are professionals with higher honours. Two of them graduated Cum Laude. He's a great disciplinarian. He would want things done quickly at its best. He always tells us that our great competitor is none other than ourselves. He even mentioned that the first stage of wanting success is knowing who you are-what you can do and what you cannot. “Capitalize on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.”

I grew up with the highest expectations amongst all his children. I am the first-born grandchild of theirs and I was perceived to be as tough as him. My tears signify weakness for Papa. That I can't go to a law school if I keep on crying about little things. He trained me to become a well-rounded-multi-tasking person. He challenged me, insulted me, praised me, and directed me to become who I am now.

I have been boldly talking to him. Imagine how strict he was and he's open to listening to teenybopper stories about love, pain, jealousy, anger, and even intimacy! I remember a scene like this:

Eating dinner.. for two.. Tagaytay Highlands

Pap: Anlo...hmmm.. I hope you don't get me wrong.. How would I say it? Hmm...

Anlo: (wondering)

Pap: Boys would always make you feel wanted for them to get what they want. I am not telling you that being intimate is wrong. If you do s**, especially without protection that's wrong and no one is to be blamed but you. But when you make love, no one is to be responsible but yourself. These are 2 different things-being blamed and being responsible. I hope I am getting myself clear. Ain't I?

Anlo: Yup. Crystal clear! (close to Laughing.Out.Loud)

(Duh! It's so weird! Papa, talking to me about s** when I was 18? Eeewww.. What a shame!?)

He felt responsible for letting me know how guys think. I hate to imagine that he had been that way before but I'd like to believe that he learned so much from his past experiences. What I like about Papa- He knows what to say and when to say it. He's got the exact words to say when everyone runs out of expressions. He knows how to handle various circumstances at a level of a proactive individual. He makes logical, unquestionable, and irrevocable decisions that's really beneficial to all concerned parties.

I have higher standards because Papa showed me that dream boys are real. He made me understood that as everything happens for a reason, we still have to make the best conclusions. He reminded me that I am still living with varied choices. He prayed that I may have the best!

I just hope he believes that I did the right-best choice.. :)