Daughter’s first love

A father is the daughter’s first love. This is universal, I guess. My father and I share so many things in common. We both love music and rhythm.

He plays the guitar, sometimes the keyboard and in most times the saxophone while I sing my heart out. He dances with me and taught me the basics of some classic dance. I remember a time when in 2nd grade during commencement exercises, our class teacher picked some couples to dance during the program, I was picked but she had trouble finding someone to be my partner. I cried every time she mentions a name, so she gave up and asked me who exactly I want to become my partner, I replied “my papa”.

That’s how I adore him. My father and I enjoy watching James Bond movies together.

Yes, he brings me to theater as young as 4th grade, thanks God, ABS-CBN now plays these classic movies and we still watch it together.

I have to find time sitting with him on some days and we recall exactly which movies we watched together long before. We both love reading comic books.

“It is so hard to find a man who can love me like only you can. At times when my life was like a candle in the wind, you put your hands around so that all the burns were yours and all the light becomes mine.”

He translates to me every now and then.

I remember when I was in 3rd grade, I went to him and asked him deliberately, “magtanan na tayo”?

I just copied a phrase from one of the comic books I read and thought it will be nice to say it to him. Those were a very few of endless romantic stories I have with my father.

On this day I wish I can read to him this very article like he used to read me different stories of a daughter and a father.

Then in the end, I will express to him what my heart is loudly speaking through this writing.

“Papa, let me begin with I love you and I thank you for what I have become now. You have provided me and my sister comfort even if you have to toil hard, while we were growing up. Still when I have grown up, you become worried even with my slightest sneeze. I am in awe of your strength, your integrity and your painful endurance you deal with every day since losing mama. You have been a great hero in my life, the source of my own strength and my only reason for being. You are truly my inspiration in life. Thank you papa for simply being here for me everyday. You have provided me a great sense of security that has propelled me in creating a fulfilling foundation for my own life. Thank you for giving me pieces of advice when I’ve needed to negotiate a deal, draw a lease or take a leap of faith. Your wisdom is gold to me. You are the first man that I ever loved, your arms were the first place where I felt so safe and protected. And I want you to know that I am here for you as long as you need me. There is no better place for me to be if you are not there waiting for me at the end of my day. I love to cook for you, eat with you and shop for you, my only man. I love you with all my being. If there is one thing that I pray and ask for mama’s intervention, that is to give me more time to be with you, Papa.

I will never run out of love. There’s plenty in store, only for you. Love you papa ko. Belated Happy Father’s day!” (Blaze Cantaros|Sta. Cruz)