ILOILO – Nestor Arce of Barangay Buyuan, Tigbauan was born with Achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder which leads to dwarfism. He is considered a person with disability (PWD).
But his condition has never defined him as a father – and mother – of three children.
What he lacks in height 54-year-old Nestor counterweights with his exemplary personality, most especially his being a responsible, kind and loving father.
Nestor has been a single parent to Gerobe, 19, Hernits, 18, and Anie Margaratte, 16, for almost eight years now. His wife, who is almost 15 years younger than him, left him in 2013. All alone, since then, he became both father and mother to the three.
Nestor sustained their living by being a driver of a public utility jeepney, unfortunately due to the pandemic, he stopped in 2020.
In 1998, at 32 years old and single, he was one of the little people sent abroad through Precious Moments as a trainee for a church music show. Though he was a trainee then, he had good earnings monthly. At the same time, his service as a driver and a General Radio Communication Operator graduate was also hired.
After a year abroad he went home and started his family life in 2001.
Currently, he is working as a kitchen staff at the restaurant owned by his sister in Buyuan, and sometimes an on-call driver.
To have extra income, Nestor also sells fish and vegetables in a makeshift talipapa in front of his house.
“Lucky gid ‘ko kay tana ang tatay ko,” an emotional Hernits told Panay News. “Tanan nga suporta ginahatag ‘ya. Bisan kapoy na sia waay gid sia naga reklamo.”
For Nestor’s children, their father is more than just special.
According to Nestor, being a single father is hard but there’s nothing he cannot do for his children.
“Kaya,” was how he described his role. Just like any other parents, his ultimate dream is to see his children finish their studies and be successful in their chosen fields.
“Kapoy kon sa kapoy pero ang ginapaminsar ko ang mga kabataan ko nga makaderecho sang ila eskwela. Wala ka timbang,tama ka kapoy kon isipon pero wala ‘na sa akon,” Nestor said.
Gerobe and Hernits are currently studying Diesel Mechanic s and Accountancy, respectively, while Anie wants to become a policewoman or a flight attendant.
Other than being a father, Nestor has another responsibility. He is currently the president of the Persons With Disability (PWD) Association of Buyuan. He also once served as treasurer of a district-wide PWD association.
Nestor said he never felt ashamed of his small stature. He did not care about bullies, too. It did stop him to stay positive.
Nestor’s condition was actually inherited by Hernits and Gerobe while Anie got hers from her mom.
Hernits and Anie vowed to pay off all their father’s sacrifices for them.
This Father’s Day, Hernits and Anie have a special message to their father.
“‘Tay, be strong lang. Agwanta ka lang anay subong. Sa sunod mabawi gid ‘ko, maeskwela ‘ko mayad kag makakuha sang diploma,” said Hernits.
Anie, meanwhile, expressed, “Proud gid ‘ko nga tatay ‘ko sia. Gina obra ‘ya ang tanan bisan sia lang isa. Gina-una nya kami pirmi kaysa sa kaugalingon nya. Happy Fathers’ Day, ‘Tay. Mabawi man ako sa imo ‘Tay, makatapos man ako kag unahon ko gid pakay-o aton balay.”
Nestor’s love for his children is one great reason why he wouldn’t dare to find a new partner in life.
“Palangga ko ‘ya ang mga kabataan ko. Amo ‘na hambal nila sa akon ‘waay ka nagpangasawa’. Siling ko, mangita pa ko ‘ya ka libog. Kuntento na nga upod ko mga bata ko,” Nestor said.
His children are his strength, according to Nestor. They are his inspiration to go on with life despite all odds./PN
