(Sharing with you what I said during my dad's funeral. Today's his birthday, and I know, he is now celebrating there with my Manang Ela in heaven...I miss you, Tang.)
Parting is never a welcome word. Goodbye, seldom or never entertained.
But these words and these acts, we could not live without.
We may not welcome them. We may not entertain them.
Nonetheless, we have to face them, one way or another, at least once in our lives.
As I stand before you, we honor my father.
A father at the beginning, let me confessed I had not admired.
As a child, I never dreamed of emulating.
As a man, I never approved some of his ways.
But as a father, which by his death made me realized, he is one true and great dad.
We always hear how we, his children, are supposed to be so successful on our own. And to a father, to hear this line in his lifetime, I believe, brings immeasurable joy and pride.
Tang, from your eldest daughter to your youngest son, I am so sure you had heard this line over and over again. By other people’s words, you indeed did alright.
Personally, however, the greatest honor and praise a man can hope for, is to have his own son acknowledged him to his own son, how great, how good and how he was able to raise his chidren the way it was supposed to be.
And let me do this now.
Hedo, my son. Here before you lies a man you will not remember much in your life. A man, you may believe, had not and will never have any influence at all in how you will run your own. I declare it to you now, and I promise you, that whatever he taught me and how he brought me up, will always be the standard, the guiding principle that we will have. For to me my son, I tell you, it is with so much pride, that I honor and present to you my father. A father, who without a degree, was incredibly able to bring seven of us all without wanting anything at all. A father, who loved us with no boundaries. A father who was so loyal. A father who was always there for us. Please remember that.
Let me end this by offering you this simple poem I made for you, Tang.
Not by lofty standards, as most people would usually put on a glow,
No shiny trophies nor medals of silver or gold to proudly show,
Not much worldly richness nor vast lands to boast,
Nor fast cars nor even ships parked at the coast.
But to all of us, you would always be more than great,
Letting you know of this, though may already too late.
For all the things you had done to us, we did take at times for granted,
All we could remember is you lying there on your bed.
To all of us, you would always be the best,
A fulfilled provider, we now lay you to your rest,
Shouting to the world, that you did all you could,
In bringing and bearing us all, like a true Father should.
With that said, we bid goodbye to you, tatang. we will always love you and will always remember you in our hearts. Please say hello to Manang Ela for us in heaven.
