Five years after the birth of our 2nd son, my wife gave birth to a baby girl. She looked so fragile. As a father, I still have no idea, training nor any reference manuals how to be a good parent. I relied on instincts and how my parents treated me. For my daughter, I experimented a new approach different from how I raised my 2 boys: In the swimming pool, whenever my toddler jumped to the water, I always made sure to catch her, without kidding a bit that I missed catching her so that she may learn to swim – not with my 2 boys.

After soaking so long under the sun at the beach, everybody is telling her, “Ang pangit pangit mo na; ang itim-itim mo na kasi!” but for me I always tell her, “Wow! Ang ganda na ng tan ng baby ko.” – not with my 2 boys.

Whenever she cried or made any tantrums, I showed her my face that I pity her so much and really sympathized. She would squeeze her eyes hard until tears would drop, in consternation of her kuyas. I even played act spanking anybody who aggrieved her – not with my 2 boys.

I always hugged her closely and carry her after watching late movies at a theater even she was already big enough to walk – not with my 2 boys.

However with all my children, I did not only converse with them since they were small but most importantly I always listened to anything they say. I always urged them to talk (different from most people know that I am a very quiet person). There are more things I can cite. Nevertheless this month, I can now tell you the result of my experiment with my daughter, without really ending my experiment.

I have a daughter who grew up to be audacious, very confident, and knows I am always there for her.

She saw me few months ago posting in my wall, “Soon I’ll be 60 years old” and singing this song, https://youtu.be/LHCob76kigA. For my 60th birthday this month, she is gifting me a brand new Honda HR-V

and when I opened the glove compartment, there is a pair of tickets and brochure of a 4-day 2-pax trip to Mexico from all my 3 children, a product of a 1-month planning in conspiracy with my wife. With this, how could I not control my tears…