My Father, like the usual other
Wants to show he is a hardowrker
I know his rags-to-money story
And money-to-rags tragedy
When I began to be world conscious
His presence I consider precious
When still a child I never sleep
When he’s not yet hope from work and trip
I even used to take a night bath
To welcome him back
And I’ll smell good when he kisses me
Shaved beard, moustache – my cheeks make itchy
Yet, I was always excited ‘coz
There’s always a pasalubong dose
Gatorade, Chokolait, other drinks
Canned Bear Brand – we chill and drink contest
After Sunday Mass in Five Wounds Church
He would buy me goto and Yakult
I missed too his ‘pinapaitan”
While in Las Piñas was the last one
When Angel and SM Southmall born
Jollibee was Sunday hour sojourn
What I only hate during weekends
I was tasked to pick his white hair strands
Once he told me tales of Dumarao
And when we’re already here now
I felt a little bit of jealous
To my cousins whom he seemed so close
Worse, I was annoyed of his hobbies
Which for me, costly, can cause disease
I succeed not to follow his flaw
Thanks God who understands I forgo
Whatever bad things I have in me
Have done to others and/or Thee
It’s not my father’s fault anymore
So God please save him from dishonor
For I still love Tatay with all my heart!
-11/28/2011
(Dumarao)
*First Incubus Collection
My Poem No. 72
