I must admit. I am hooked to another Filipino TV series “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” (I Will Only Love You Once) aired on The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN on international television.
The plot revolves around the story of estranged twins who were raised in opposing cultures of society. One of the twins (named Alexander portrayed by Coco Martin) was raised in the family of a very important military figure (aka General Jaime Sebastiano played by Ronaldo Valdez). The other (named Javier also played by Coco Martin) was raised ironically by the estranged wife (aka Remedios/Elena played by Boots Anson Roa) of that same militia man and a “kadre” among the rebels of society.
From this series, its June 8, 2011 episode where the general-grandfather chewed out on his erring grandson Javier. The episode highlighted the eventual exodus of the lad’s family from the mansion of the general. This scene struck me big time. It’s a Daddy-thing.
My father is no military man. He is an engineer. A mechanical engineer. But under him, I was raised to “obey first before you complain“. That stiff. My Daddy’s word is the LAW. And even among his siblings, anything he says is seriously regarded. In his hometown during my childhood I never realized the value of being introduced as “Anak ng Delo” (child of Delo – short name coined by my Dad’s clan) until I came to this age.
I feel this connection between the general as a father in that episode and my Dad. As much as a father needs to be firm with their decisions, strict with their rules, steadfast with their principles, unforgiving with their punishment, he is also soft in heart, fearful of not being needed, scorned by being left alone, jibed with failure.
That the general had to send his own erring grandson to jail was a blow to his ego as a military man who upholds the law. In the same way, his heart as a grandparent hopes that someday this boy will understand why Lolo (Filipino term for calling grandfathers) had to be authoritative. Ronaldo Valdez’s character stands as the norms that we have to conform with in society to be called a good citizen, or at the very least a normal person. His role is the painful truth that a man is measured against. And I bet, fathers don’t actually enjoy that all the time.
Though Daddy has always been a rigid disciplinarian, he indulges in light moments with us, his children. Dad has this sense of humor that makes us forgive him for the moments when he seems to be unyielding. Now I better understand that when he looks at you straight in the eye with a blank expression on his face, what he means to say is that:
“Please weigh your options first before you decide. I know you are intelligent. I trust you. And whatever you decide on, make sure that you stand by it like how I have taught you by example. And don’t be afraid to fail, because I will support you. I will help repair the damage.”
I understand better too that when he says NO, what he means to say is that:
“I need to be a devil’s advocate sometimes because in the world outside of my loving arms, it’s dog eats dog out there. And you have to learn how to accept rejection or defeat in a graceful and honorable manner. Even if you make mistakes. Even if you don’t get what you want. You deserve something better. I always want the best for you.
When Dad assigns various chores for us to do and to accomplish them RIGHT NOW, I appreciate it that he means to say:
“You are intelligent and creative and responsible. I know you can handle these things even if it means that you have to multi-task. I want you to weigh your priorities while I keep your feet on the ground. I know your brains will take you far and wide. You are my children and I am proud of you.”
And when his words of wisdom sounds more like an insult to the ego, Daddy just means to say:
“I’m just awaking your senses. You are human. Pretty much like me. But you have to be tough when the going gets rough. Even as I want to make things easy for you, what is hard earned endures better. Patience is rewarded by what good awaits the end. This way, you get to build a better character yourself. And no one can put down a good person. I will not allow them to.“
OST MLKI Courtesy of http://minsan.abs-cbn.com/gallery.aspx#gallery
Pretty Little Rosebuds 
