FATHER’S DAY is celebrated by families around the world to honor the special men in their lives. Daddy, papa, tatay, erpat, pops – whatever you call them, there’s no denying that they are a warm helping hand and a guiding force that help hurdle the difficulties that come along. From the traditional dads who work hard to provide for the needs of the household to the modern ones who tend homes, fathers strive to nurture and support their children and families.
Panay News is sharing heartfelt stories of fathers, this time as a tribute to police and army officers and their unique mission as head of the family.
Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica
Piled papers to check and sign to, various conferences, meetings and activities to attend to, calls and messages every now and then to respond to, flexible time at work where family time could be postponed for urgent needs and duties at the office, time now surely is limited for such a busy person like Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
So every quality time with family is worth celebrating, said Coronica.
“Sa panahon subong wala sang malayo kag malapit sa mga celebration katulad sang Father’s Day. For me, pwede dunganon ang career and family, it’s a matter of time management. We have the social media so we communicate often,” Coronica said.
Coronica, a father of three sons, said they have to celebrate Father’s Day here in Iloilo City. No out-of-town trip since he has a lot of work to do.
“Indi kita dali-dali makahalin since we are holding a higher post, so sila makadto diri,” he said.
Coronica’s family is based in Negros Occidental.
Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero
“For this special day, I will celebrate the occasion. I am not away from my family. Lucky I am to have an assignment near my family. I go home every day. That’s why I consider everyday a normal day, but it’s special for the kids.”
This is how Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, chief of the Regional Operations and Management Division of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), marks Father’s Day.
“Remembering the special day for a father or tatay, papa and daddy helps children become closer to their fathers and makes them understand the important role their dads/tatay/papa play in their lives. Sang una wala man amo sini nga okasyon but I still believe that in a busy environment and with technology, it is just and proper to recognize and highlight the importance of fathers,” said Gorero.
Gorero and his wife, Indira, have a daughter and a son. Indira is the president of the Officers’ Ladies Club.
Army Captain Roel Maglalang
Captain Roel Maglalang stands as father and mother to his four-year-old princess, Joanna, but he sometimes feels sorry for not being with his daughter during special occasions.
The 42-year-old Misamis Oriental native said it’’s often that he could not attend special occasions with his daughter, especially birthdays or activities in school.
“Pareho ngayon hindi ko naman makasama anak ko this Father’s Day kasi dito ako sa Cebu at doon siya sa Brigade kasama mother ko,” he said.
Maglalang is the chief of the Civil Military Operations of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
He said soldiers like him usually celebrate Father’s Day with children, civilian fathers and other soldiers through a simple salo-salo or boodle fight.
“Most of us malayo sa pamilya so mahirap mag-celebrate na kasama ang buong pamilya. Just like me, mahirap kasi ako lang isa nagpalaki ng anak ko at wala ako palagi sa tabi niya dahil sa nature ng work ko. If I have a choice I want to be with my daughter para talagang maalagaan ko siya hanggang palaki niya.”/PN
