Today is Father’s Day. Like every son and daughter, three celebrities recall fond memories about their iconic fathers. Here they are:
Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares: My father, Da King
What memories about your dad (Fernando Poe Jr.) does Father’s Day bring back?
“It may be cliché, but my dad comes close to what may be considered an ideal father. He was caring and protective. He was sensitive, and he loved generously. He accorded everyone with respect. He listened intently to what I had to say, no matter how trivial. And he was quick to encourage and support me. He also gave the most reassuring hugs.”
How was FPJ as a father?
“I have many good memories of my father. But let me try to single out a few...
“There was one time when my dad decided he was going to check if, indeed, I knew how to drive. He rode in the front passenger side of the car. When he told me to make a turn onto a busy street in Manila, I froze, because I was intimidated by all the unruly drivers that would not let me merge. My dad rolled down his window and waved at the drivers. They were mostly jeepney drivers. They all stopped and excitedly waived back at my dad, giving me a clear path to merge to the rightmost lane. As soon as we reached our destination, my dad said, ‘Never again. You don’t know how to drive yet.’ Needless to say my driving made him nervous. He asked for a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen when we reached our destination.
“Another time, while my mom was going through our things one day, she found a note with my Dad’s handwriting. It said, ‘Daily merienda for Grace and the kids,’ the kids being my two cousins, Joseph and Jeff, who grew up with me. It listed spaghetti, sandwiches, etcetera. Very few would be able to picture him being bothered by domestic mundane things like that, but he was a caring and loving father.
“He would always cook gambas and adobo for me before I would leave for Boston, the years I was in college.
“Even when I was very young, he already took me hiking or biking to enjoy the outdoors. He always spoke of the beauty of the Philippines and made it a point to show me his favorite places. He showed me the sand dunes of Ilocos, the rivers of Montalban, the beaches of Bataan, the forest of Laguna, the fields of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija to name a few.
“He himself would use a garden hose to fill our plastic pool in the backyard during hot summer months. He used to call me up when I was away for college, just to sing Kumusta Ka. My college roommates were familiar with this routine and would simply say, “Grace, is your dad serenading you again?’
“He can be very sweet. He is an iconic Filipino, actor and father.”
Were you ever “punished”?
“Yes, by the school authorities but not by my dad. What I will never forget was the time I was compelled by the nuns of Assumption to live in the dorm for a week because I was late to class a good number of times during one semester. My dad dropped by the dorm and brought me flowers. He told me it was OK that I was being punished and hopefully, I learned my lesson. I was so embarrassed, but my friends and even some teachers who witnessed it were so kilig.”
What parenting style did you learn from your dad that you are applying in raising your and Neil’s children?
“The parenting style that I try to apply even when our children were small? Neil and I want our children, first and foremost, to know and feel that, as far as we are concerned, we love them dearly. I am also as expressive with hugs as my dad was. I also try to impart to each of our children, just like my dad did, that they should have a sense of purpose other than just for themselves — creating a legacy by being a positive force in other people’s lives.”
If he were alive, would he have allowed you to enter politics?
“I would probably not even consider running for office. My joining public service came about because of his untimely passing. I wanted to help people and thereby keep his memory alive. But knowing my dad, he would have supported whatever career path I chose. He would be the first to cheer me on to succeed. He would be especially proud of me being in public service and living up to the task of being an honest, hardworking and accomplished public servant. The key again for him, was for me to have a purpose higher than myself.”
If he were in front of you now, what would you do and what would you tell him?
“I would run to him to hug him and say, ‘I miss you!’ and maybe if I could muster the courage, I would ask him if he was proud of me.”
Cherie Gil: My father, The Elvis Presley of the Philippines
Cherie on Eddie Mesa: When he starts to gyrate like The Pelvis, I scream and dance along with him
Describe your dad, Eddie Mesa, as a father.
“He’s a strict disciplinarian. He adheres to the saying, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ As you can see, he is so disciplined that’s why he has remained fit and healthy.”
What are your beautiful moments with him?
“Whenever we sang duet on stage. Those are my most beautiful moments with him. I love singing with Dad. Our voices blend perfectly well together.”
Your dad and Mom (Rosemarie Gil) separated and got back together again. How were you affected by the situation?
“I’m eternally grateful for their reconciliation. I believe that it was all for the good of all of us. Our family somehow found some quiet peace.”
How are you like your dad (what are the traits that you got from him)?
“My mom always says that Dad and I are so alike when we think and dream BIG, hahaha!!!”
Cherie with dad Eddie, mom Rosemarie Gil and brother Michael de Mesa: My mom said that Dad and I are alike; we think and dream BIG.
What’s your take on your dad’s being the “Elvis Presley of the Philippines?”
“I am so proud of him as a performer whether as himself or as, yes, ‘Elvis Presley.’ I’ve never seen anyone with the same energy and endurance, especially at his age. He’s the best Elvis there has ever been. When he starts to gyrate like ‘The Pelvis,’ I scream like a fan and dance along with him!”
Being the only daughter (if I remember right, Eddie used to call you “My Cherie”), you must be a Daddy’s Girl. Did your dad pamper you more than he did your brothers Mark and Michael?
“Well, I wouldn’t say that he pampered me. He protected me a lot of times from adventures he did with my brothers which actually I wish he hadn’t. I missed out on climbing Mt. Banahaw tuloy!”
Anything you haven’t told your dad that you want to tell him now?
“That I admire him in his growth as a man and most especially as a Christian. His love for Jesus is undeniably intense. His deep and true faith inspires me.”
Rachel Alejandro: My father, Ang Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala
Rachel on Hajji Alejandro: He is and will always be my hero
Did you believe that your dad (Hajji Alejandro) was the “Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala?”
“I know it now and as I became an adult but growing up as a child, all he was to me was my ‘Daddywaps.’ He told really fun bedtime stories whipped up from his imagination, he played with our Barbie dolls, brought us to basketball practice and to all his rehearsals and gigs. If he wasn’t asleep and we weren’t in school, we were always together. I couldn’t have had a happier childhood because he always wanted to be with us.”
With what songs did your dad sing you to sleep?
“He didn’t really sing to us because that was already his work. What we did have were super-long conversations as he tucked me in at night. We were always plotting the day I would finally get into showbiz. We loved talking about future plans. I always felt supported by him every step of the way.”
Aside from that, what has been your sweetest memory with and about your dad?
“This memory is gonna be a sad one, unfortunately. One night, Dad had some wine and while a bit tipsy, he started talking about our Lolo who died of heart attack. With tears in his eyes, he said he would give anything to turn back the hands of Time and convince my Lolo to exercise and eat healthier, and maybe he would have lived to see us, his grandchildren, grow up.”
What is the best lesson that you learned from your dad?
“Dad continues to enjoy superstardom and is still very much in-demand because he knows how to put on a great, entertaining show. He brings joy to the thousands who have come to watch him perform. I am the performer I am today because of his example.”
If you were to write (or sing) a song for your dad, what would it be and why?
“I recorded a song on my very first album for Dad. It was called I Love You, Daddy. The chorus has the line, You are my hero. That he will always be to me...my hero. I am and will always be so proud of how he raised all of us kids and made a good living making use of his God-given talent.”
When Hajji marks his 45th anniversary as a singer with a “timeless OPM” concert titled Powerhouse IV: Hajji Ako at Ang Aking Musika 45 Taon on Saturday, June 23, at The Theatre of Solaire, Rachel will be among the special guest performers along with Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Celeste Legaspi. (The concert is produced by Lucky 7 Koi in cooperation with Solaire Resorts & Casino and Cornerstone Concerts. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999.)
Rachel in a family picture: Best lesson that I learned from my dad? I am the performer that I am today because of his example.
Here are the 20 songs that means so much to Hajji:
1. Hajji Baba by Nat King Cole (“My name was derived from this song.”)
2. Teddy Bear by Elvis Presley (“The first song my mom ever taught me.”)
3. Cielito Lindo (“The first Spanish song I had to learn when I was in Grade 3 to sing as a birthday surprise for our school Father Rector who was a Spaniard.”)
4. Oh Holy Night (“Where I was assigned a solo part belting the high notes while performing with the elementary-school choir.”)
5. Tenderly (“My Mom and Dad’s theme song that I sang for them on their 25th wedding anniversary party.”)
6. Check It Out by The Main Ingredients (“Most requested piece from my San Beda high school singing group called Red Barons.”)
9. What Can I Give You This Christmas by The Lettermen (“One of the few songs I can render while playing the guitar as a teenager.”)
10. Cherish by The Association (“It reminds me of my first girlfriend in high school.”)
11. What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye (“My college singing group’s biggest hit on campus. The same song I used when I auditioned to be a member of the now legendary Circus Band.”)
12. If You Don’t Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (“The first piece I was assigned to perform as a Circus Band member.”)
13. I Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely by Ronnie Dyson (“My second song with Circus Band that made quite an impression with the ladies during our extensive campus tour in the early ’70s.”)
14. Panakip-Butas lyrics by Willy Cruz (“I was in tears the first time I heard my voice on the radio singing this song. It became so popular that I even made a movie with then Superstar Nora Aunor titled Panakip-Butas.”)
15. Tag-Araw Tag-Ulan lyrics by Willy Cruz (“It earned me the moniker Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala.”)
16. May Minamahal composed by Willy Cruz (“I consider it my first step to becoming a true OPM artist.”)
17. Ikaw at Ang Gabi composed by Ryan Cayabyab (“A truly fun song during the Disco Era when I got to flash my dance moves.”)
18. Ang Lahat Nito’y Para Sayo composed by Nonong Pedero (“A melodious song of offering and thanksgiving that every time I sing it, I feel like I’m praying.”)
19. Nakapagtataka composed by Jim Paredes (“A song about separation. A scenario I’m all too familiar with. Hahaha!!!”)
20. Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika composed by Ryan Cayabyab (“A grand-prize winner in both the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival and the first International Seoul Song Festival in Korea in 1978. A rightful tribute to the world-class Filipino musical artistry!”)
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)