My Father (Concluding Part)

Remember Tancho Teque pomade (I hope I got the brand name right)? When you put it in your hair you can mold your hair in any style and it will follow. He wears it in his hair. Before he sleeps he would wrapped his pillow with newspaper so that it will not get dirty.

Our casserole is so shiny white as if it was not being used even though we are using gas powered stove. You have to pump air in the gas tank to make it work. It is double burner made of metal. He would remove each part and would clean it a few hours after using. You better keep it that way when he arrives because that would make him happy.

(Fast forward, year 1975)

After graduating from Manila High School, I became a working student to support my studies. I worked for a hardware store in Rotonda Pasay City. One time I had to ask one customer for his Identification card because it was needed in the invoice. I saw his surname as “Lu”. So I casually told him that we have the same surname. He wanted to know my father’s name. Upon mentioning my father’s name I was surprised that he knows my mother’s name including mine. He reminds me that we used to go to his warehouse of shoes every December. My father facilitated for his trip here from China according to him. That he owe a lot to my father. He wanted to help us and to talk to my mother. Yes, now I remember. That was in the 60’s. My father never gets something from him in return. He always insists on paying for everything that we get. That is what you can call as Integrity in the highest order. I was both happy and sad. Here is a man whom he had helped but didn’t show up when we needed him. This will be another story.

(Back to the year 1969)

He has this lovely Bird that resembled the picture. If he would be away for a longer period than usual, he would make a list of when it must be given water or the amount of food to be given so that I will not over feed it.
One time, when I was about 7 or 8 years old and tending our small sari-sari store (he is having an afternoon nap) I was supposed to get P0.10 cent to buy a game card when my brother-in-law caught me. Right there in then he whips me with the stick that he is holding. I was more surprised than hurt and cried loudly. While he acts to whip me again the second time, my father came to my rescue. We walked to his room. Wiped my tears with his both hand and told me with all his sincerity “Study hard and be a good boy, because good education is the only treasure in this world that cannot be taken away form you.” He didn’t scold me or spank me. Those words pierce thru my bone. I felt more pain than what my brother - in - law inflicted on me. You see, he has only kind words for other people. He always told us that if you have nothing good to say to anybody, don’t say it anymore.

One day, April 11, 1969 a few weeks before my 11^th birthday. My father died in his sleep. He suffered from massive heart attack. He quietly and peacefully died. When I checked his favorite bird, it was also dead. He must have followed his master. What more loyalty you could ask for.

Where ever you are Dad, I really miss you. I am trying my very best to do to my children what you have shown to me. What you have taught me.

To those of you whose father is still alive, or any one of our love one, let us show to them how much they mean to us in words and in deed. Let us show to them how much we love them. Let us embrace them even if it is so corny for other people…

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