Tatay na ako

Seventeen (17) years ago, that was April 21, 2002, my son Roel called me up via cellphone informing me with exultant voice, “Dad, Tatay na ako.” I could still vividly remember how he twice told me that exciting and breaking news that his wife Marjet just delivered a healthy baby boy… “Congratulations Anak”, I said. Your mom and I will be there in the hospital in a short while. “Thanks Dad for your prayers, Marjet made it… Tatay na ako” were his welcoming words when we arrived at the hospital. When the euphoria simmered down, I told his wife, Marjet, “now that you’re a mother, you will know and experience what is to be a mother.” And to my son, I told him, “Now that your 1st child is born, you will know what is it to be a father.”

The words of my son “Tatay na ako” bring back my memories how I realized the gradual unfolding of what it was to be a father of 5 children. It made me reflect that fatherhood is a gift so unique and irreplaceable. It made me understand that it takes a true man na nagpakatao para magampanan ang kanyang tungkulin bilang ama. “Tatay na ako” awakens my memories that fatherhood has four (4) major roles, we call them 4 P’s, to wit, Procreator, Protector, Prophet and Provider.

1. Procreator – when Tess and I tied the knot of marriage to be one as husband and wife and later to be a father and mother, we left our respective parents and build our own family. With the unitive and procreative endeavors, we became sharers in God’s creation as we became procreators thru the birth of our 5 children. “Tatay na ako” made me understand that our lovemaking was life giving. Our union played a vital role in building a strong family… making humanity a reality. Familiares consortio state, “humanity passes by the family.”
2. Prophet – “Tatay na ako” paved the way of my role as a priest in the family, since the family is a domestic church. My fatherhood made me realize that I was the spark to enhance the spiritual growth of my family. This prophetic role made me aware that I was the good shepherd. St. John Paul II said, “Fathers, are called to reveal and relive on Earth as the Fatherhood of God.” As a shepherd I guided, taught and led my family to Christ. It is said that when fathers come to Christ first, 93% will follow. When the fathers are not active in the faith, 60% of the children stop attending church and leave the faith altogether even if mothers still attend regularly. Nakasalalay ang buhay kristyano ng ating mga anak sa pagsisikap ng ama to be the role model in living as an authentic Christian.
3. Provider – “Tatay na ako” is a statement that clearly showed me that as a father, I have to provide for the material needs of the family. As a father, I served as the breadwinner and provide the basic necessities of food and shelter. Being the pillar and backbone of the family, I served as the “Store” and a “Bank” when the material need of the family arose. “Tatay na ako” made me realize, that fatherhood means being prepared to sacrifice absolutely for the sake of the family. Tess and I have, with all humility, did our best to provide not only the material need but most of all to prepare our children to eventually stand on their own thru proper education.
4. Protector – “Tatay na ako” posed a challenge that I, as a father should protect at all cost, my family from any intruder that would disrupt the peace and security in our home. That protection went beyond the premises of the home, because I made my children feel my presence whenever my intervention is needed to protect their interest. This protection likewise, included the spiritual well-being of my children guiding them to that kind of life that is anchored to Christian values and teachings.

There are no schools on how to become a good father. It is only based on how we, as fathers raise our children in God’s way. (Rolly A. Acuna, Family and Life Apostolate/CFC)