Finally, the reunion happened yesterday, and in a very auspicious occasion yet.
"Papang, kamusta ka na (Papa, how are you)?" were the first words of Charlie Domingo Jr., topnotcher of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2002, as he embraced his father, Charlie Sr., at the academy’s Regis Hall.
Domingo, 26, now a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, still wet after the ceremonial dunking of PMA graduates at the sundial pool, said he was happy to see his father, who kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. Both wept.
They saw each other, albeit for a brief three minutes, Saturday afternoon. "He had to attend a function outside the PMA," Charlie Sr. said.
Charlie Sr. said he did not abandon his Butsoy (his nickname for Charlie Jr.) at all. "They hid him away from me," the 52-year-old proud father said. "Ayaw ng lola niya sa nanay na ibigay sa amin si Charlie (His maternal grandmother refused to give Charlie to us)."
Charlie Jr.’s grandmother, who attended yesterday’s graduation of her apo, refused to comment.
Up to now, Charlie Sr. said he is still at a loss why Butsoy was kept away from him. "They even raised (him) to believe that I was dead when he was still young."
Charlie Jr. was five years old when his mother, Evelyn, died. Charlie Sr. recalled that he was not informed about what had happened to her. He was then working in Manila.
Charlie Sr. said he would have raised his son because he had a good paying job. After he resigned from the National Irrigation Administration, he worked as a supervisor at the Seedlings Bank of the Philippines.
"Talagang masama ang loob ng lola niya (His grandmother really resented me)," said Charlie Sr., who now lives in Cauayan, Isabela with his second wife and their five children.
But he claimed that he had had contacts with Butsoy in the past. "Only about five to six people knew about it," he said.
Charlie Sr., who was accompanied here by a number of relatives, said he really wanted to show up during his long lost son’s graduation to personally congratulate him.
"I am very, very proud," he said.
His message for his son: "Sana maunawaan mo ako (I hope you give me some understanding)."