Lessons From My Father
Weekly Question #4
What valuable lessons have you learned from your father?
I have learned a lot of valuable lessons from father who is an admirable man for me. These lessons I have used in my life many times over and these same lessons are what I try to teach my children.
- BE PUNCTUAL. Papa worked as an employee of the Subic Naval Facility in Olongapo City. He has an acute sense of punctuality unlike the other people employed in Philippine companies especially in government offices. Why? His bosses are part of the United States Navy and there are no such things as late or tardy in their vocabulary.
- BE COURTEOUS. My papa is a contradiction of sorts. He does not really fight back with words. As a matter of fact, we have an ongoing family issue with his siblings but being the eldest, he hasn’t spoken harsh to his younger siblings. Yet. When he got very sick and they didn’t even bother to see him, he just let them be but I know he is deeply hurt. If he likes you, he will regal you with stories about his work and his thoughts. If he doesn’t like you, he won’t even talk to you nor look at you even if you are within his vision.
- As much as possible, TRY NOT TO REMIND OTHERS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THEM IN THE PAST. He financed a big part of his sister’s education. Now his sister is saying bad things about us. Did he ever tell her in the face what he has done while she was studying, religiously giving a part of his earnings for her expenses? No. But he is patiently trying to control his temper, that much we can see.
- WORK HARD. Yes, he worked hard. Graveyard shift sometimes, for bigger pay. He traveled1.5 hours to work and another 1.5 hours going home, traveling daily just to go to work. His hard work paid off when he got promoted several times. His American bosses used to go to our home to ask him to accompany them to buy fresh fish from the fishermen.
- COOK FOR THE FAMILY. He has been the official cook in the house, as long as I can remember. When he got very sick two years ago, we thought we will lose him but thank God he got well. But he has lost his enthusiasm to do this chore anymore.
- BE YOURSELF. He has no pretensions. He doesn’t care if his relatives are laughing behind his back when they talk about him not attending their get-togethers. He doesn’t want to deal with them so he won’t face them with pretensions of wanting to be with them. Even if they talk bad about him.
There my friends, I introduce to you my father. And oh, if there’s one thing I don’t really admire about him is he spoils my children, especially my youngest daughter, Tania.
That was what he did for me too, bringing home Marvel and DC comics (what his bosses have discarded after reading, lol), red, crunchy apples, sweet oranges, candies in cans and chocolate bars. That was when some or many(?) children my age have not had the chance of getting these things. Circa 70s here in the Philippines.
Papa, thank you for everything. Hang in there. We love you and we respect you.
Happy Father’s Day.
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Hi Julie. This is a timely question on this special day. Thank you for sharing these valuable lessons from your father. These are very good values. I like that part where you wrote, “TRY NOT TO REMIND OTHERS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THEM IN THE PAST.” It’s a very good trait that more people should learn.
I almost forgot, I decided to share my entry on my other blog: Soulful Thoughts.
[...] Ano raw ang mga bagay na itinuro sa akin ng aking coolness Tatay? Galing ang tanong dito: click. [...]
[...] Weekly Question # 3 & # 4 I missed the # 3 last week because I was not here but also the email did not get to my mailbox. Anyhow, as Julie said, it’s ok I will post 2 entries today - the # 3 and # 4. [...]
my # 3 and #4 is now up, Juls.
http://sunshineforlife.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/weekly-question-3-4/
goodnite!
[...] Lessons From My Father [...]
Thanks for participating Rachel
I am sure you miss your Dad already
Thanks, Arlene, for doing both questions
Have a great week!
[...] you want to participate in Weekly Questions, you can go to this LINK and leave a [...]
Teacher Julie, late po ako ngaun sa pagsagot pero up na entry ko
Got your email po kaya lang wala talaga sa mood mag-blog for a few days now. Ngaun ok na uli 
Happy Wednesday po!
[...] Lessons From My Father [...]
Hi T.Julie,
so sorry for not having done the WQ3 last week …was having problems with my other site … doing it right now, together with WQ4. hope it’s ok.
Happy a blessed Thursday!
Hi teacher Julie…I admire your father the way I admire my Tatay. Thanks for sharing his story with us…happy father’s day sa Papa mo.
hi julie, sorry i’m late - yikes!
here’s my 3 & 4: http://w2rblogspot.blogspot.com/
till next time!
oh btw, i’m glad you have an awesome relationship with your dad. you’re blessed!
Ciao Julie,
Here’s my pahabol plus the third one I didn’t do on time. Thanks! http://myracounteurattempt.blogspot.com/2008/06/weekly-question-4.html
http://myracounteurattempt.blogspot.com/2008/06/weekly-question-3.html
hi julie,
thanks for the comment, however i just wanted to clarify that the father i learned those lessons from is God, my Heavenly Father. =)
oh and btw, it’s cute how you got Charisma and I mixed up too. that’s ok… till next time!
Oh, Lovely, I am so sorry
Thanks for clarifying my comment, its been a busy day yesterday (its past 12am now)and I have been anxious due to the very strong typhoon coming in a few hours time. Several people have been dead and a lot are missing already further down south. We have big tall trees on the side of the house and we are worried. Sigh.
My apologies.
Adie, its ok, you are not late, you can write the post naman anytime, no need to rush writing it down after you got the email.
Hope all is well.
Thanks for doing both WQ Maiylah, no apologies needed if you didn’t do it immediately,I understand.
Thanks for the visit, Nona and for the greeting too. You can join me in this weekly meme, if you have spare time
Lovelyn, thanks for doing both WQ.
I always enjoy reading your posts, so refreshing and so many things to learn from. By the way, the commenter in your blog, perhaps s/he might be interested to join this too
Sorry I have forgotten the name but I enjoyed reading his/her comments to your post, especially about the school 
[...] is also very timely that this week’s “Weekly Question” is about Fathers and the lessons we have learned from [...]
[...] made a big…huge difference in my life. . It is also very timely that this week’s “Weekly Question” is about Fathers and the lessons we have learned from them. . This weeks question is… [...]