This Father’s Day weekend, restaurants, hotel outlets, parks and recreation places will be full with families toasting fathers and father figures alike. There will be much feasting, numerous photos will be taken and posted on various social media accounts, and of course, new memories will be made.
But how do people who have lost their fathers mark the third Sunday of June? With prayers, most likely, and a fond recalling of the first man they ever idolized.
Gabby Eigenmann with dad Mark Gil
We asked several male Kapuso artists what they remember of their Dads and what they would like to eventually teach their children or their future children.
The Cure male lead Tom Rodriguez, son of William Albert Mott Sr., described his dad as “the absolute best.” If he had to choose one trait of his father, it would be his willingness to nurture his children’s interests.
Jun Herras and son Mark
“When I was five, I would watch him work on and repair his PC,” Tom recalled. “I tried to copy him when I was alone but ended up breaking his computer. Instead of getting mad at me and keeping his PC away, every day after that incident he would have me sit by his side, learning along with him. He did this with me with my other passions whether it was art, science, programming or even when I chose to enter showbiz.”
The son of lawyer and former radio personality Antonio “Aga” Arellano, Drew Arellano remembers “his selflessness. He was the most giving person I know. It would be awesome for my kids to have that generous trait as well.”
Drew Arellano and dad lawyer Antonio ‘Aga’ Arellano
Homegrown GMA Artist Center actor Mark Herras, son of Jun Herras, said his father was always a family man. He hopes to instill the importance of family in his future children.
“Kapag nagkapamilya ako, gusto kong ituro at malaman ng mga magiging anak ko na family is family,” Mark said. “Kahit ano pang pagdaanan niyong problema at pagsubok, pagkakamali sa buhay or kahit anong mangyari sa’yo, maaasahan mong andiyan sila palagi sa’yo at hindi ka iiwan.”
Strong family ties are also important to the Daez family. Host, actor and vlogger Mikael Daez, son of Leo Daez, said that he looked up to his father because of his ability to bring people together.
Leo Daez with son Mikael
“My dad was always the person to get the titos, titas, cousins, friends, anyone whom he loved together for dinners, vacations or a simple gathering. I really liked that and would like to be able to do the same,” Mikael said.
Renz Fernandez’s dad, the late Rudy Fernandez, needs no introduction at all. Not only did he leave lasting memories of his film roles to his fans but more so left valuable real-life lessons to his children. Renz shares, “When I become a parent, the trait of my dad that I would like to emulate and pass on to my kids is being able to take responsibility for actions because a person should be willing to accept the consequences of his or her choices in order to learn. Since everything is interconnected, being able to take responsibility is an essential quality for growth.”
Tom Rodriguez and Dad William Albert Mott Sr.
Gabby Eigenmann, son of actor Mark Gil, remembers how his father was like a friend to him. “When he would set rules or pagsasabihan niya ako, he was a Dad; the rest of the time, he was like a friend,” Gabby recalled. “He’d listen to you, give you the freedom you deserve so you would know how to face life independently. When you stumble, andiyan siya. I think yan din ang ginagawa ko sa kids ko. My dad and I are the same. We like honesty and we love to spend time with our children.”
Their fathers may no longer be physically present but the memories and lessons remain, hopefully to be passed on to the next generation.