3.17.2010

Ode to my Father

March 17th is always special for me. Not because it's St. Patrick's Day but it's my dear father's birthday. Low key and unassuming, he would probably cringe that I am blogging about his birthday. He doesn't quite get  social media yet. I told him that I will explain visually what all this is about when I am back home.  I've missed his last four birthdays since I moved here. We communicate almost everyday via email, text, Skype, or majicJack. Amazing how technology works, I grew up in the 3rd World with black rotary phones where I remember screaming into the phone on long distance calls and you needed an operator to put you through. I just miss him so much and wish I was in Cebu with my other US based family members who went home to celebrate. These photos were taken five years ago from his biggest birthday weekend bash in Manila (an hour flight from Cebu) which he co-celebrated with one of his best friends, Pete. His birthday is on the 18th. 
Before the evening's festivities, we decided to have a quiet day and drove 70 km south of Manila and went to Antonio's Garden in Tagaytay for lunch. Much has been said about the fine French inspired Filipino restaurant by Chef Antonio Escalante tucked in lush verdant hills that we had to check it out for ourselves. It is an old home converted into a well ventilated garden restaurant. The koi pond also deserves a mention.
foyer filled with Philippine art, antiques and
furniture
with admirable bases
lovely dining vignettes were created in different areas
providing ample intimacy indoors or outdoors
everything was superb---food, service and ambience
 my recent Google search also shows that 
they've remained consistent.
I am going to post the ode I wrote to my father 
on Father's Day six years ago...

Thank you for letting me fly high enough 
to know the ways of the world
and for clipping my wings 
when it became too much for me to bear.
For the times when you drank champagne 
with me to celebrate,
wine during late night talks,
sambucca to help me swallow 
a few jagged pills,
apple-carrot-echinacea concoction 
when systems fail,
and for sharing a mean brownie cup ala mode 
when I'm down.
For listening to my so-called 
love tribulations without wincing,
and knowing when they've done 
enough karmic justice to my face
(thus understanding why it validates
 a big jar of La Mer charged to your card).
For loving me unconditionally 
despite follies and flaws.
For simply knowing when to be a father, 
friend and professional colleague.
I'm very blessed to have and share 
this rare relationship with you.
I thank God for you everyday.
Happy Father's Day
---published June 2005, Gypsy Queen
Sunstar Daily Cebu, Philippines

According to my feng shui calendar, March 17th is the luckiest day of the year. I am lucky to have my father in my life. He has been incredibly supportive of my passions and continues to foster utmost influence and inspiration in everything that I do. His tenets and values guide me. I hope I'm not being obnoxious by posting our photos but I feel it is important to honor and thank our loved ones as much as we can and let them know it. This is part of my gratitude series which I decided to start after my first birthday post. I have been blessed with amazing people in my life who have supported me along the way, contributed to my growth, and kept me grounded. I want to celebrate them.  I am the sum of the people who've inspired me.



p.s. Review of Antonio's Garden Restaurant and more recent photos here 




5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love it! So Sweet. Your father is very lucky and likewise. Blessings in all you do!

Froulala said...

Thank you for your sweet comment. Blessings to you too!

Unknown said...

My dear!!! Love your ode to your dad! He is so blessed, as well as you!

Unknown said...

My dear! Love your ode to you dad! He, just like you are so special!

froulala.blogspot.com said...

Thank you Debbie dear!! Appreciate your comments very much!!