I can still remember my younger days, whenever I need something, I go to my father and ask for it. I can still remember that during his life, we bond most of the time. We go to the beach, smelling the fresh air, listen to the waves, catch some tiny crabs and enjoyed our feet on the sands. I can still remember that during my school days, whenever I had a quiz, I will text him to get an idea about the answer.
He is my father and my idol.
We reside in Cagayan de Oro City when he became the manager of a bank and was assigned in Gingoog City, a place in Misamis Oriental. I once visited the bank and was astonished how dedicated he is to his work. I can remember that we slept in his office together with my brother because he is doing an overtime for a year-end report. From that moment on, it made me idolize my father. Not because of his work, but to his DEDICATION.
On our house, we had a small business, we make candles. I can remember that when he was already assigned at Cagayan de Oro, after a busy day at the office, he will come home and help us in repacking some candles for sale.
My father is a good provider, he managed to raise and sent us to school all (7) seven of us. He sent us to Universities for us to graduate and have a better life sooner. Some people think, that because my father was a bank manager, finances are easy. Well, they're not, he maybe a bank manager but his salary is just enough to provide us education (e.g tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, etc.). My older sisters and brother went to college (4 of them) at the same time. Imagine the cost of tuition fees for the 4 of them. Luckily, we graduated all.
Because my father is my idol, I followed his footsteps, I know entered the banking industry. Hoping to achieve what he achieved during his life. Now, I feel the struggles he felt when he was still working in the bank. I can feel how stressful being in the bank is. How hard leaving your family at the start of daylight and going home with no daylight at all. How hard, seeing your loved ones still asleep when you go to work and by the time you got home, they then were already asleep.
My father availed an early retirement with the bank last 1995. He said, he wanted to retire for he is already tired in the bank. He wanted to spend some quality time to us. Afterwards, for he is still young during that time, he was then hired in an NGO (Non-Government Organization) which centralizes in Microfinance, which helps the less fortunate to start a small business. During his stay on that company, I've seen how good he is. When he was employed on that certain NGO, that organization was almost falling apart, but, he managed to revive it at its full capacity. He then, became the Executive Director of that organization, he helped a lot people during his stay. It made me idolized my father even more. During his stay on that organization, his salary is smaller compared to his previous job. But, he really loved it.
Last 2012, my father suffered from diabetes. During his fight from diabetes, we traveled him to Tandag, Surigao del Sur, where his parents (my Lolo and Lola) are. During his stay there, I still remember, he asked me about the status of their loan availment (I already employed in a bank) for their releases to their clients. I can still remember, that even he can't sit properly, he did signed some Promisorry Notes for his organization. I have seen how dedicated he is on his work, and on helping others.
After the painful battle with diabetes, he died on that same year. During his wake, I am amazed on how many people loved my father. Many flowers arrived during his wake, that the room was full, and some of it were placed outside already. My eyes burst to tears seeing that many had idolized and loved my father. It made me proud of his life.
Today, I am striving to be what he is. A loving father and a leader. It is very painful missing someone that you know you cannot see anymore.
He is my idol, my guide and my angel.
