EMO Father (Ron Bandong)

Today marks the last day of this column’s special feature on our readers’ tributes to their fathers.

Clemente Gabion sent in a photo titled “Alaala ni Ama” that he says is “the last photo of my father taken with my mother two months before he died.” He had been afflicted with a kidney problem. Clemente shares, “As a retired soldier, he asked me if I can bring him to PMA headquarters in Baguio. In April of 2007 I brought my family to Baguio with the wheelchair in the compartment of our van. Inikot namin ang buong compound ng PMA na nakasakay siya sa wheelchair. He felt so glad that time...and on June 14 of 2007, birthday of my youngest sister and a week before Father’s Day of that year... he passed away! So to my Tatay, wherever you are now... we still love you and we miss you!”

Another image sent by Clemente is a candid shot (“Mahal ka namin, Tatay”) taken when his neighbor arrived home after two continuous days of work at a construction site. Joaly Valderama was met by his daughters Jennelyn and Honeylyn who would not allow him to take a nap but insisted on playing with their father.

From Iloilo, Helton Barretto Balairos pays tribute to his father, Antonio Bangud Balairos with a photograph of “Tatay Tony” and the words: “If you were to ask me why he’s very special to me, it is that: he lives with his principles; he is stern with his guidelines and he lives with his faith. Also, he’s hardworking, living in simplicity yet scot-free life. He was a multi-awarded politician during his time. Many were criticizing his decisions, his works, and putting him down, but he could still manage to smirk and did not take into account those negative criticisms against him. Trials came into our family last 2005 when I was diagnosed to have ‘Potts’s disease’. He never gave up and did everything for me to be alive and to recover. He even gave up his political career just to insure my recovery. He’s the best Tatay in the world. Sometimes I’m mulish and ignore his advice or maybe I’m not just gaudy of what I feel but still it’s really my chance to say ‘I love him so much and I owe my second life to him.’”

Bulacan Letratista Echel Darren’s images are his photos of the first encounter between his adoring uncle and a granddaughter who was born abroad, and that of his good friend Troj proudly carrying daughter Megan during her christening. Echel was both a godfather and photographer in the event. More of his images can be viewed at http://echeldarcen.multiply.com.

Yette Pariño writes that photography is both a hobby and a passion for her. She says that the birth of her first niece Lia Ysabelle also produced her “favorite model” for the past months. Her image, “Define: Contentment” is a family picture of Lia Ysabelle and her parents.

Joesel Barrameda attended a baptism this June and took a photo of his nephew Geoph Lester being carried by the father, Dada Ther. He submitted the image “Binyag” as a gift to his cousin.

Ron Bandong writes that his father “never likes posing and smiling at the camera.” So Ron took a candid shot of him (“EMO Father”) on his birthday last April 14 while sipping his favorite green mango shake. His father is “a silent-type person,” he shares, “but deep inside we know how much he loves and cares for us.” The readers are invited to see more photos by Ron at www.n0n0nNsheena.multiply.com.

May Rosales took a photo at a beach in La Union which she is dedicating as a tribute to her own father Tom, “who still finds time for us and makes sure that we have bonding time every now and then besides his super busy schedule. He turned 59 last June 17, but it doesn’t show. He still looks young and acts young. His energy and zest for life is contagious!” Other images may be seen at lmrosalesphotography.multiply.com/photos.

Peter John Myles Sarenas of Davao and his family provided school supplies to the underprivileged kids in the home town of his niece’s yaya just before school opened. “It was a nice occasion,” he writes, “and surely heartwarming not only for us but also for the kids who were with us (the nieces and nephew) who handed out the items personally to the kids.” He shares his photos of the happy beneficiaries. That fatherly gesture of providing for others also merits a slot in our tribute to fathers.