.for papa.

This morning, I was fixing my room to give it some semblance of a decent study room in preparation for the intense hours of burning the midnight oil I have planned over the next few months. I was clearing my table and laying down books I planned to go over first when I realized that I did not have a good enough light to read under.

"Pa, may lampshade ba tayo? Medyo madilim kasi sa kwarto ko e."

I knew we didn't, and I was half wishing my dad would go and volunteer to buy me one. But he didn't.

Without wasting a single second, he made me one.

Using everyday materials we had lying around the house, Papa provided an extra light above my table. Now, I can read clearly, and we didn't have to spend a single cent. And my dad was still smiling after what I put him through.

When I was younger, I remember telling my mom that for the life of me, I could not imagine Papa courting her. With his strict and sometimes short temper, I simply could not picture him all sweet and tender towards my mom during the early days of their relationship. There were times during my teenage years when I resented him for imposing all kinds of rules on me and my Ate. I figured he just didn't want me to have fun. I kept him at an arm's length when it came to my personal life, and I never, NEVER, came to him when I was having boy troubles. He was just not THAT kind of a father.

Besides, we were so much alike. Papa and I both have the tendency to shut up and remain quiet when we get angry or frustrated. We both have trouble expressing our emotions, so we basically don't have a lot to talk about when it comes to personal matters.

Now that I am a little older, I am little by little beginning to see just what it was about Papa that made Mama fall so deeply in love with him.

One call is all it takes to have Papa come running to pick me up wherever I am. In all of my 23 years, I cannot remember even a single time when Papa gave me some lame excuse for why he couldn't. Wherever I am (and mind you, I've had Papa pick me up from pretty far places), whatever I am doing, I am always secure that Papa will be there to come for me in the event that I couldn't make it home by myself.

When I insist that I go home alone, I know I can expect Papa to still be waiting to open the door for me. Sure, he may be grouchy and mad when I stay out a little later than the agreed upon time, but he has never been one to hold grudges. And I never have the fear of being locked out. He always lets me in.

Even when he was working, I knew I could always count on my dad to provide whatever I needed. As a kid, I thought he was a magician. Anything I asked for would be ready and waiting for me the next morning. Special paper for an art project? You got it. Food for my field trip? All packed and ready to go. Unusual pet for the pet show at school? A turtle was waiting for me the next day. I didn't know how he pulled it off, but I didn't care. He could do just about anything. Balancing work and family life was never an issue for my parents.

And he never once complained.

As I got older, I knew there were times when I failed to show my dad just how much I appreciated him. I knew I hurt him more than once, but he never rubbed that in my face, even though he easily could. He just continued to give and give and give.

I watch him and I see sincerity and genuineness that extend even to people outside of our family.

Papa, in more ways than one, is the ideal boyfriend. He is never late for anything, shows up for all the important and even the not-so-important events of our lives, and always keeps his word. When Papa says he'll do something, you can bet your life on it that he'll get it done. He has braved all kinds of storms and what-have-yous just to be there for us. He never fails to get us whatever we ask for (as long as it is in his financial and physical capacity to do so), and sometimes even the things we don't ask for. He makes us laugh even in awkward moments, and surprises us with witty and light-hearted remarks even in the most trying of times. And every once in a while, he surprises us with some touching gesture for no reason at all.

Papa always puts us first. He gives his all just to ensure our happiness and comfort, and NEVER asks for anything in return. His utter selflessness makes him a hero in my eyes. Without saying a word, Papa has shown me what kind of a Father we have in heaven just by being like Him everyday.

I can just imagine him at 21, courting Mama. Being there for her at all costs. Investing much time and effort just to be with her (Papa is from Pampanga and Mama is from Pagsanjan...think about that). Making her family love him just as much (but maybe not in the same way) by considering them in his decisions, too. Maybe he didn't always know the right words to say, but I know he loved her in the best way he knew how - by giving of himself.

I know why Mama fell in love with him. And I'm glad she did. Because they went on to have me and my sister.

And with them as my parents, I just couldn't ask for anything more.

I'm proud of you Pa. I love you.