Eight Values I Learned from My Father

This is the only tribute I could give to my late beloved father, Hilarion Duran Camporazo on the special day for all the fathers, Father's Day which is celebrated every third Sunday of the month of June. I overheard friends and comrades of our father calling him, Larion or Larry. And for us, we address him Tatay (Daddy/Papa).

My Father

Tatay is reserved, simple and responsible head of our family. He's expert checker player. Nobody beats him in that game. I didn't remember that he has brought his friends at home, except his close relatives. He has no known friends for he didn't mention any. We didn't know why.

To give him honor and recognize him as the best father of our family, I have recalled 8 practical things I've learned from him, which I have valued so much and they became a part of my way of life.. I know there are one thousand and one values my father has, but these eight things I would like to give emphasis as far as I am concerned as the youngest of 6 children in our family. These things I may consider as the only tribute I could give to my late father.

1. Taking Time Out for God

In my time, my father and mother were not too religious. They seldom went to Church every Sunday. But they never missed any religious mass every Holy Lent. My father always took time to pull the cart of Santo Entero (The image of the dead body of Jesus Christ placed inside a crystal-wall casket on top of cart). I could see from his countenance how satisfied and happy he was doing that task every Holy Week culmination.

2. Instilling Untarnished Character

My father always joined with us every time we ate our dinner. And it was the best time for him to give us words of counsel. He said that we're poor. He has no wealth or riches to leave for us for our inheritance, except the name and the good character which he has kept unblemished for us to keep it too unsoiled.

It's the priceless legacy that our father could bequeath to us as his children.

3. Doing Best in Work.

My father's job is a humble caretaker of public cemetery. I didn't know how my father works. What I remember that he has kept all the list of the dead buried and kept it track when to expire the rental of niche and inform the family or the informant. He kept the place always clean, free from tall grasses, rubbish and garbage. With that unprofessional kind of job my father has, he has never loafed or neglected his job.

He tried to tell us that we may not be appreciated by our fellow beings, but Someone from above knows and blesses us in return.

4. Giving Importance To Books

When I was in my primary grade, particularly Grade two, my father brought me for the first time in our municipal library. He introduced me to the librarian, Regina Dasas. She was surprised a kid like me interested to read books. She guided me to different shelves full of big books. In that time, 1961, the common books in the library are set of Encyclopedia. I took two books of it. She wondered how could I finish reading it for she gave me three days to return them. My father just grinned. I signed the lend book register and went home carrying a big volume of books.

From that time on, I learned that they're the major sources of important pieces of information for better living which my father wanted me to inculcate.

5. Providing Opportunity To Grow.

This is the second chance that my father gave the opportunity to grow educationally. He brought me to go along with him in Bacolod. I was surprised that he brought me to the radio station of dyRL. He met with the station manager and introduced. The manager toured me to different offices and explained to me how radio broadcasting works. He brought to the announcer's booth. There I saw big sign in red that says: "On The Air" In my primary age, I was quite updated on the technology of communications.

6. Never Influencing His Children of His Negligible Vices.

My father smokes, but no one in our family follow him. Nobody smokes in our family. He is an expert in playing checker and he bets to play. But he never taught us to be like him, to play for betting. I remember that I challenged him to play checker. He gave me all the chances to win, but I never did. Did he teach me how? No and I didn't insist. As I'm now in my senior age, I've never had an occasion to indulge in gambling or in any form of betting.

7. Caring Not Only For Us

Before my father died for he was bedridden for several years, I was able to talk to him. He talked about our family, my work. I had never thought that he would ask about how the road going to San Enrique has gone so far. I told him so far it is almost completed. Then he just grinned. I know deep in his heart, he wanted to appreciate the progress, the development of a community.

8. Being Considerate

One night, I remember, my father and I were eating together of our dinner. While he was eating, my father  had a transistor radio on his side on the table. He was listening to news update at that time. I bothered him and I requested if he could changed the station to dyRL, for I've an assignment to listen to a social studies program hosted by late Bebot Dalpatan. I insisted until he got irked. He splashed me a soup bowl of our viand and said,"Gilbor, indi tanan nga diamante naga-inggat! Tandaan mo na!" (Gilbor, not all diamond glitters! Remember that!) Then he left the table without finishing his dinner. I was shocked. I was sorry and repented why I did that to my father. After I finished eating, I followed him and asked for forgiveness. He never said any word.

Now, I've a family of 6 of my own too. And I realize how important the role of a father is.

Tatay, happy father's day! We love you!

---

Papa by Paul Anka

Everyday my papa would work
To try to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet.

Every night my Papa would take me
Tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said

There were years
Of sadness and of tears
Through it all
Together we were strong
We were strong
The times were rough
But Papa he was tough
And Mama she stood beside him all along

Growing up with them was easy
The time just flew on by
The years began to fly
They aged and so did I

I could tell
Mama wasn't well
And Papa knew and deep down so did she
So did she
And when she died
Papa broke down and he cried
And all he could say was, "God, why her?
Take me!"

Everyday he sat there sleeping
in his rocking chair
He never went upstairs
She wasn't there.

Then one day my Papa said,
"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"
He said, "Go. Make it on your own.
Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."

He said, "There are things you must do"
"And places you must see"
And his eyes were sad as he
As he said goodbye to me

Every time I kiss my children
Papa's words ring true
He said, "Your children live through you.
And they grow! They'll leave you, too"

I remember every word
My Papa used to say.
I kiss my children then I pray
That they'll think
They will think...
That way
Someday

Music background: "Papa" by Paul Anka (edited by Gil Camporazo for Father's Day)