I often wonder if I would have pursued my passion for writing or confidently done the things I love if my father, Roel Garrote, wasn’t in my life. Probably not.
The Impact of a Father’s Influence
Image from Marhiel Garrote
Roel Garrote is my father, and he raised me alone since I was 2 years old when my mom left us for another man. He never remarried or built a new family after their split. Instead, he dedicated his life to raising me and ensuring I received the best education, even if it meant working longer hours. My dad is a driver, and I have always been proud of that because, through his driving, he provided for my needs, especially my education. When he and my mother separated, he decided to go abroad to earn more money. After three years, he returned to the Philippines and bought an ISUZU Crosswind, a car that has been with us since 2004. He used it as a rental car to support us financially.
Image from Marhiel Garrote
I will never forget how sometimes the person who rented the car would buy him food, and he would save it to bring home as a “pasalubong” for me. That’s my father—he would rather starve than come home empty-handed.
A Father and a Best Friend
Because it was just the two of us, my dad and I became very close. He is my best friend. My friends often tell me how lucky I am to have him as my father. But we weren’t always this close. There was a time when he was often absent because of work. When I was in high school, I told him, “Daddy, hindi lang pera ang need i-provide ng magulang, oras din at tenga.” I think he realized what I meant because, from then on, we never missed a weekend of going out for “Tapsilog” and talking about many things.
Image from Marhiel Garrote
Now that I am older and working, I appreciate even more how lucky I am to have my dad. He is the type of father who listens, understands, accepts, and never judges. He always tells me, “Go lang anak, kaya mo ‘yan. Kapag nakamali ka okay lang andito lang ako nakaalalay. Lagi kang magdasal.” Maybe that’s why I’m not afraid to take risks and try new things—because of him.
A Father’s Unconditional Love
Image from Marhiel Garrote
He is not just a father; he is also a mother to me. So, Daddy, if you are reading this, I want to wish you a Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for always believing in me and for helping my dreams come true. I became a writer and an editor because of your support. Thank you for your love and friendship. I will never get tired of saying “I love you” every day. You are the best Dad and the best friend I could ever have.
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