What’s the most important value you learned from your dad?

Father’s Day to me is a very special day. This is the time I can honor and thank my father for all the sacrifices he made for us and the good name he has given us. We often forget that dads, too, need our affection and appreciation. Though we have the whole year to express our gratitude to our dads, it’s still right that we set aside this special day just for them. Here, personalities share most important lesson they learned from their dads.

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JOY BELMONTE-ALIMURUNG, archeologist; chairperson of the QC Performing Arts Development Foundation: I have learned many significant values from my Dad, like the value of family, loyalty and hard work, but I believe the one I most treasure is the value of taking a genuine interest in other people and recognizing the uniqueness of every individual. I learned that taking time to engage people from all walks of life in a meaningful conversation leads not only to a deeper understanding of them, but also to life-enriching knowledge and insights into the human experience in general.

ROBINA GOKONGWEI-PE, senior vice president, Robinsons Department Store: Do not marry a bum or you’ll waste half of your life.

CAMILLE VILLAR, corporate communications head, Finds Superstore: One of the most important things I learned from my Dad is the value of hard work. My dad rose from rags to riches by working hard and never giving up on his dreams, even when things were tough and the odds were against him. His life and his example has taught me that life is never easy and anything is possible if you are willing to work for it. The effort you put into achieving something makes it more meaningful and rewarding in the end.

ZIA QUIZON, student: I learned that everybody deserves a chance to laugh.

PAUL FAVILA, vice president, treasury, Citibank: My father has always been my role model and I have learned a great deal from him. But of all those lessons, it is integrity that I value the most. It is a value that he held dearly as a banker and one that he lives by as a public servant. Now that I have established myself as banker, he constantly reminds me of my duty to the public and the importance of not allowing myself to be cowed into doing what is not right for the common good. After all, a person with integrity has nothing to fear.

Taguig Mayor FREDDIE TINGA: My dad instilled in us that in order to accomplish our goals, we should never take shortcuts. There is no substitute for hard work.

Marikina Mayor MARIDES FERNANDO: Honesty.

JOEY OSMEñA, Ateneo student: My dad always reminds me of the vast knowledge one can acquire through reading. He always encourages me to read Time and Forbes magazines, newspapers, National Geographic and all those other periodicals. For him, one can never know too much. I can associate this with this saying, which he repeatedly tells me, "Men can take away your money, your home, your belongings, even your family; but the one thing they can never take away from you is your education."

JEFFREY R. ABACAN, senior vice president, Philippine National Bank: There are many values that I learned from my dad which has helped shape my personality. The most important, I would have to say, is loyalty. Loyalty in terms of being a faithful husband, a devoted father, a dedicated and trustworthy employee, and a person who’s steadfast in his religious beliefs. I hope to impart this value, as well as others, to my children.

JESUS ENRIQUE "HENDRIK" G. GARCIA II, member of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland: It wasn’t until I entered the same profession that I understood and appreciated my father. His integrity, unwavering principles and never-say-die attitude guide me now not only in my career, but in life. In Foreign Service, we are given the privilege of representing the Philippines and defending our people’s interests abroad. Yet along with this are many situations that require nerves of steel and a quick and clear mind to make good decisions. External factors can sometimes make you feel powerless, like you’re forever caught in a bureaucratic jungle. But my dad has always, in my eyes, risen above the circumstances. And besides being a great diplomat, he has never ceased to be an exceptional father. He is patient. Much of diplomacy is about listening. Even at home, he has always been approachable. He’s always tried to instill in me basic values, which I’m told he also got from his father who was also a career diplomat. Among these values is perseverance: never give up! Set your mind and focus all your energies on a task and by God’s help, accomplish it. Thank you, Dad, for all your precious lessons. I’m proud to be your son.

DANIELLA PADILLA, student: How to respect elders, how to be a responsible sister and how to share my blessings with others.

ICE REYES, student: I’ve already learned many lessons from my Dad and am learning more. I think the most important lesson is to always do my best in everything I do, even in the smallest things in life. My Dad once told me that it is okay to lose, but never lose the lesson. So every time I fail in something, I make sure that I learn and not make the same mistakes again in my life. I have gone through a lot of difficulties with my Dad. I thank him so much because he cares about me and that He really wants the best for me. He’s the best father anyone can ever have.

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