An old father's birthday wish for his daughter
More than thirty years have already passed since your mom brought you into this world, a small and frail baby girl, quite darker than your mother but definitely with a better complexion than me. You were a premature baby and so, you had to be left in the hospital as there were still weeks when you had to be kept in the incubator. Despite your size and your condition then, I had no doubt in my mind that you would someday become an important person in life, in your career, and in everything you do. Two days after your birth, you had to undergo what the doctors called erythroblastocis fetalis. (I don't even know how to spell it correctly). It's about the blood incompatibility between your mom and me. But you and your four other siblings had to undergo the same expensive and highly delicate procedure. All your blood had to be drained and new blood injected into your vessels. And you were hardly forty-eight hours old.
Today, you are a senior bank officer of the country's most prestigious private bank, the most trusted and the oldest, and you are managing millions in assets belonging to very wealthy people who have entrusted their wealth in your hands. You have a very handsome baby boy less than six months old and a faithful and loving husband. You are building your own home and you drive your own car. The once small and frail baby girl is now a respected fund manager and asset investor who understands the nuances and intricacies of finance and economics. You are being looked up to as the wizard of investments and fund management.
I remember when you were a small girl; I had to bring you to school every day, before I report to my office. You and your younger sister were schooled in an exclusive school for girls, administered by the religious sisters. I could still see you in the Assumption uniform and even in gala all white every time there was some religious celebration. Your mom and I made sure that we attend all your functions, from family day, to PTA meetings, to school foundation day to Christmas and Halloween parties. We were active in the parents' council and we made sure that you were given the best, things and values that our own parents could not afford to give us. You transferred to La Salle while your sister went to Ateneo. Both of you graduated with honors but you had two diplomas having completed two degrees that you took simultaneously.
When I gave you away as a bride to your groom, there were tears in my eyes. Two of your wedding sponsors, my friend Governor Junjun Davide (proxy of the Chief Justice, my idol, my mentor, my friend), and then Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, they saw me with red eyes. Your two brothers married also but it is different when a daughter takes a husband. Anyway, we are happy for you now. You have a nice family and a very fulfilling career. You give honor and affection, love and respect to your mom and to the entire family. Happy birthday, anak. We love you so much.
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