Father’s Love: Hilom Pero Makabungog

This is not my first time to say this: pinangga kaayo ko sa akoang Papa.

In what way? In the most quiet way of expression.

I can’t remember a single time my Papa said the phrase “pinangga kayo ta mo” or “I love you, nak.” That sounds so strange to my ears.

Though a part of me longs to hear it from him, I forget that longing because his love is loudly expressed through his actions.

Back to my elementary days:

Sayo pa sa buntag, wala na si Papa sa balay. Pag-uli nako sa hapon, wala pa gihapon si Papa nauli.

Fast forward to my high school days:

Pareha ra gihapon. Pero nakita na nako ang lawom nga hinungdan. Sayo pa sa buntag, wala na si Papa sa balay kay niadto na siya sa uma. Pag-uli nako sa hapon, wala pa gihapon siya nauli kay nagpadayon pa siya og trabaho sa uma.

Now that I’m in college, away from my family:

Hala, ulan. Nabasa nasad siguro si Papa?

Kung init sad kaayo, nakapasilong kaha to si Papa? Nipahulay ba kaha to? Grabe biya kasakit ang init.

Grabe ang sakripisyo ni Papa. Klaro kaayo, pinangga jud mi niya.

Reflecting on my community, fathers are rarely seen at home—often too busy working and can’t even attend family gatherings. At graduations, only 10 out of 100 escorts are fathers.

This absence is one of their greatest sacrifices—they choose work over presence to provide for our needs.

As our haligi ng tahanan celebrate their day, let us recognize the everyday sacrifices they make for us.

Behind every successful person is a father who made quiet sacrifices from the very beginning. Let’s honor the fathers who put their families first—working under the sun, enduring hardship, all out of love for their families.

Sa akong Papa, Happy Father’s Day, Papa Jojo!

Salamat sa salig og suporta. Maningkamot ko para sa atoa, dili tungod kay nag-ingon ka, apan tungod kay nabati jud nako ang imong gugma sa amoa. Kanunay ka nga anaa sa amoang pag-ampo ni Kingking, Longlong, Ponpon ug Mama.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. You’re all appreciated, and your silent acts of love are truly heard.

To God be the glory.

(Jozeil Crodua | SoCCom)