He was a man of few words. When I was growing up, I thought his personality bordered on being antisocial. He was very strict. During my elementary days, he wouldn't allow me to play outside our house's gate. One more thing: He scolded my classmate who called me on the phone to ask what our assignment for that day was. He told my poor classmate that it was her responsibility to take note of the assignment and not rely on other people. (quoting him, "Bakit, hindi ka ba nakikinig sa teacher?") He was truly hardworking. He was able to obtain a college diploma by working hard to pay for his tuition. He was a survivor. He started as a clerk and ended up as a Human Resources Development manager. He instilled in me the value of a good education. According to him, "Kapag inayos mo ang pag-aaral mo at nakapagtapos ka with honors, hindi ikaw ang hahabol sa trabaho; trabaho ang hahabol sa'yo." It was because of him that I grew up wanting to enter UP for college. Yet in 1998, a gunshot took him away from us. HE is MY FATHER. Yes, MY PAPA.

I miss my papa so much. =(