Araw ng Tatay

Dear Tatay,

Happy Fathers' Day, Tay!

It was just the other day when you braved the heat and the Pier-to-Capitol route of the Grand Parade for the Opening of Baragatan 2008. You danced in the streets "like there's no tomorrow", never minding the disability that has taken over the normal functioning of your legs. Paula Abdul would have been amused.

I despised the choreographer when during the rehearsals I discovered you were being given dance steps that would really pose as challenge to your condition. Much to my dismay, you let them do what they required. You eagerly followed the ethnic dance steps and religiously attended the rehearsals. And you even enjoyed -- a no-surprise to me since you always love what you're doing. You had me worrying each time you feel some pains in your legs. It's me who bore the brunt of a million and one worries each time I saw you perform.

You beat those dumbasses who do not have anything to do but sit and babble all day and accomplish nothing. They pride themselves as they who know this and that, and yet know too little. They too were required to take part in this year's Pantiguan event but they backed out days before the event. With a million and one fake reasons, those bad guys shredded off important puntos against your delegation. And yet, they got stronger legs and healthier body nourished by a SG of 20+.

A day after the punishing Pantiguan, you and utol Insoy made your way to your hometown where the body of your younger sister lies. You did not yield to your personal sorrow and grief so as not to affect your part and contribution for our town's participation in this year's Baragatan.

Risks. You always take them. There would be persona's priding themselves "eating bullets"; but you, you eat risks. Most of the time, you don't think long term. You don't imagine what the results or benefits of your actions and deeds are because you do them for the sake of doing them.We have not been affluent. And we will never be because you choose never to be. You unfailingly extend to and share with others what should have been for yourself. I find rivals in people who think you always have the means to help them -- relatives and non-relatives.

Nevertheless, I am so proud of you. I cannot find one single word to say how much I love being your son. As young Filipino-British talent Charlie Green would phrase it, I will have to use all "the good words in the dictionary" to describe the feeling.

As tribute to you, I am sharing here photos and a video to tell the world about your perseverance, your brilliance and strength that comes from within.

Have a safe and sound stay there in Samar! Great, great job in the Pantiguan!

Watch Tatay do it! Look for the super dancer with a cane.

The Cane Power! (Tatay in his Palaw'an costume.)

The Local Chief Executive admiring his belly and the beads they put on him.

When some pain and exhaustion set in...


Stopping and waiting for the parade line to move again.


With fellow street dancers and fellow parade participants.



I sneaked in with the group just in time for another shot.



Parade now about to start.

Performance finally over...waiting for his clothes.

Quenching his thirst...