I wrote this piece circa 2002-2003 for Peyups.com, an online community made by and for UP students back in the early 2000s. A friend suggested I post it in time for today’s celebration.

Me and my dad celebrating Father's Day

Here it is:

Just Like Dad

I’ve often times said that what I want in a guy is his intellect, his good sense of humor, and his overflowing sensitivity. (Though I look beyond face-value, it wouldn’t hurt any bit if he has good looks as well.) Is that basically what I’m looking for? Generally, yes. Specifically, not just quite. Let’s get into details then.

I want somebody smart. No, not science-quiz-bee-smart. It would be better if he was smart in such ways that his smartness would not just solely border on encyclopedias and dictionaries but would be of practical use in almost every way. I want somebody who not just know where Helsinki is (even the kid in the TV ad knows that) or what’s the currency of Belize. I need somebody who knows how to read road maps and knows where to turn right to get into that new art gallery we are going to see. Somebody who could put up a tent if ever we decided to spend the night stargazing under the heavens, even if it meant camping just beside our house. Somebody who can assemble the computer we just bought, and fix it when it’s down. Someone who is willing to cook, even if the outcome might mean, well, a disaster. Somebody who can teach me a thing or two about the world, and who’s also enthusiastic to learn something new from me too. I need somebody who’s street smart, open-minded, practical and worldly-wise.

I want somebody who makes me laugh. I want somebody who I can share a cup of tea, a full course meal or a midnight snack with at the dining table. Somebody who can make me smile during Monday mornings even if I had just clumsily spilled coffee on my dress or worse, on his tie. I need somebody patient with me. I want somebody who, after reading the current events and the sports news locally and internationally, still bothers to turn the newspaper to the fun page and share the latest happening on Pugad Baboy. I want somebody who laughs at me when I am funny and who tells me frankly when I’m being corny and teases me about such silliness for the rest of my life.

Above all, I want somebody who knows how to be sensitive even if he has a lot to attend to. Somebody who still gives me his time in between his heavy work load and his nightly overtimes. Somebody who cares to give me a call if ever he’ll be coming home late or not at all. Somebody who’ll spend the Sunday mornings with me and our kids jogging at the park and afterwards, participating at the Mass led by our favorite priest. Somebody who’s willing to give the kids a drive-thru at McDonald’s to have a serving of large fries, Sundae cones, lemonades and Bic Macs. In simple words, somebody who cares.

Too idealistic, you say? Nah, believe me when I say I already found one certain guy with all those qualities. However, marrying him has never been and is never going to be in my mind not only because his age is more than twice as mine but also because we sport the same blood. My secret’s out… someday I want to meet a guy who’s smart, funny and sweet – - – just like dad!

Uy…gwapo rin ‘to!