Sunday, July 11, 2010

FATHER’S DAY

While there are strong evidence that this world is matriarchal as pointed out by some credible writers, I have no doubt that ‘This is a man’s world’ as expressed by James Brown and known tenor Luciano Pavarotti in a song with the same title during one of their performances in Europe. Indeed, this is a man’s world “but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl”, as correctly articulated in the song.

This ‘Father’s Day’ (2nd Sunday of June, I was told), I wish to dedicate that song more popularized by a men’s choir known as Canto Gregoriano, to all the fathers – legitimate and illegitimate (sorry for the distinction) because of their unique role in this chaotic world.

I need not make apparent what is already obvious about fathers role in rearing their children, providing for the needs of the family, instilling discipline, shedding “blood, sweat and tears “ and playing the role of superman most of the time, but I would like to share some truly inspiring stories of a father who took care of his kids like Leonidas to Sparta – Romy ‘Palasig’ Evangelista!

His life has many chapters full of funny and challenging anecdotes and here are some for the record. When he was working at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) he suffered a large cut on his head when he accidentally bumped the door of a parked vehicle. Instead of proceeding immedeately to the Infirmary of the Institute, he went home to San Pablo because he didn’t want to cause panic to his family in case they find out that he is confined in the hospital. At home he was met by Ruth, one of his daughters, who did not notice the wound and told him “Tatay, naku mabuti’t dumating ka na, hindi pa po laba ang aking uniform.” Without hesitation, he first washed the nursing uniform before he finally proceeded to the hospital for his wound to be sutured (9 stitches).

As a doting father, he consented to the request of his daughter Ruth who was then graduating from Nursing at the Laguna College to have his tattoed arm as trial-sample of a sick patient to be injected with empty surgical needles! Everytime the needle is pierced to his arm he would simply close his eyes to the disgust of his erstwhile mother-in-law.

One time, while he was washing clothes of his children, some male chauvinists who were passing by commented in jest, “Aling Romy, ano ang ginagamit mong sabon?”, to which he quickly retorted “Ajax! Kasi simula nang gumamit ako ng Ajax, lagi akong tumatama sa jueteng!” After that, he summoned the head of the group to a duel. The rest is history.

Romy has many aliases – Roming Tatoo; Jerome; Geron; Chairman of the Blue Water (whatever that means); and as a journalist, Palasig. He may not be perfect to the eyes of many but he is a good provider to his children, a doting grandfather to his grandchildren, a caring and affectionate ally to his friends and a very loving husband to his wife who happened to be me – the author.

This Father’s Day, I’m renewing my vow to him as his wife – to love him in good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty till death do us part.

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