A daughter's wish

After my father’s death on Nov. 24, 2006, I have been so preoccupied with thoughts, requests and suggestions coming from many people about how to keep his legacy alive. I thank the public for recognizing the work he has done for our country and giving it such importance that to this day, there is still more clamor for them.

A few months after his death, I began thinking of his epitaph – the best words I could think of came from Horacio Alger’s poem, “If” – “If I would have my name endure, I’ll write it in the hearts of men.”

But after his death, I quipped to a friend, “How can I keep the memory of a dead person alive? Many would forget him. The young will not know him.” 

I want to keep his memory alive but I did not know how. In my subconscious, I had wished for a statue and a book that contained all his poetry and prose. Some admirers of his writings have even reminded me to come up with a collection of his “greatest hits” – his invigorating columns. I wanted to do everything right away but I knew it was a ridiculous thought.

But things happen for a reason. One day my mother, Preciosa, received a call from Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. He offered to build a statue of my dad and put it in Roxas Boulevard right in front of the Rajah Sulayman Park. 

When my mother broke the news to us, we were thrilled and elated. It is indeed an honor to have a monument raised to the memory of my dad, in the main boulevard of the City of Manila.  

Every daughter’s dream is to keep the spirit of her father forever burning within her heart. I thank Mayor Alfredo Lim and the City of Manila. I am sure many Filipinos will continue to be inspired by the stories he has written and will cultivate that love for country that many seem to have already lost.