A person distinguished for valor, fortitude or bold enterprise is a hero.
My hero may not have all those qualities but he is…
During my childhood days, I secretly admired him for being low tempered, quiet yet disciplinarian. A low profiled man but he is almost known to our neighborhood…friendly and soft spoken. Raising four siblings out of two marriages, he maintained equilibrium regarding our relationship with my half siblings. He filled the home with love, respect, hope and integrity. I realized now it was one of his difficult roles.
For those passing years I saw him growing old yet manages to earn a living for our sustenance, and always wanting us to finish schooling whatever the means was. Going to our small farm and engaged in selling whatever produced he has just to have a food to our table.
Recently, I noticed his body and health deteriorating but did not inform us of his illness. Despite of it, he kept working until he was hospitalized. He doesn’t undergone dialysis because it’s costly and so the day came when he can’t bear the pain and he was taken by the Lord.
His being humble, his sufferings…His sweetest smiles and laughter, being ready to help us…and his untimely death. These accounts I considered him truly a hero. He was always my hero but but he is gone.
That is my dad, my papang, my father, my tatay, my papa.. Yes, that's him. Someone I look up to. Someone I admired so much. Someone who inspires me to continue living life. I saw him conquer life's trials and challenges with great might and without any complaints. I saw him endure the pain and the suffering that life brought. Someone who was very strong.
Papa Leon “Dodong” Villacarlos.
A father of all season. The “Superman” in my life.
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