Father of the Pride

At a wedding I recently attended — that of Denice Sy to Jacob Muñez — the one who really captured my attention was Denice’s father, my friend from way back, Dioceldo Sy. As this was the first child he was giving away in marriage, and it was a daughter to boot, my mind started looking for comparisons. Recalling what I once read about the social organization of lions, I researched, and confirmed the following, “Lions are very social, and live in groups called prides...the head of the family is the pride male. He’s referred to as the king of the pride, and it’s his job to protect the female lions and the young cubs. With African lions, prides can consist of up to three males but always recognizing one dominant male.” And as I observed Dioceldo that day, the notion of him as more than just “father of the bride,” but of a “pride,” caught my fancy.

I’ve known Dioceldo for close to 30 years now. First playing tennis with him and Raul Panlilio at the then nPhilippine Plaza tennis courts, where the Sofitel Tent now stands. We reconnected when I began writing for The STAR and joined ABS-CBN Publishing, as he was expanding his brand equity and diversifying the product range of his Ever Bilena. You see the cosmetics empire he now reigns over, and it’s easy to forget that he built this practically from scratch.

But I’m certain he remembers that very well, and through the years, has tried to impart this mindset to his children — how discipline, hard work, timing and luck all play a part, and that one stays humble and real because it can all disappear if one doesn’t stay grounded. We’ve joked about why he doesn’t take Ever Bilena public, and I love his answer, “I want to enjoy, I have enough. If I go public, I’ll end up working harder for all the stockholders. This way, I’m still my own boss.”

Denice and Jacob at their wedding service, with Denice reading her message to her Dad.

Others will marvel at the friendships and relationships he’s built over the years, and perhaps talk about how the likes of Hans and Herbert Sy, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Sta. Elena Construction’s Alice Eduardo and Belle Corp.’s Willy Ocier were counted among the ninangs and ninongs in attendance at Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club in Batangas, where the garden wedding happened. But the photo you see here is my personal favorite. While the entourage was lined up, sweltering in the early summer heat, about a hundred yards away, Dioceldo was waiting with Denice for the signal for him to drive the golf cart, and “deliver” her to Jacob. While he was jovial, playing with the mini-fan, one could sense he was treasuring these last moments with Denice, when she was still clearly his daughter — and not someone’s wife.

I bumped into Maggie Garcia, GM of Pico de Loro Cove, and she was praises for Dioceldo on how he was such a nice, down-to-earth person, and how it was the first time she had witnessed a father so involved in all the pre-wedding planning and discussions. Down to the minute details, Dioceldo had made himself available and involved. For Maggie, it was Dioceldo wanting to ensure everything was perfect for Denice’s big day.

And in a surprise move of her own, Denice made a little speech during the service that completely caught Dioceldo off-guard and moved him to tears. To paraphrase, she talked about how they were never a perfect family, how her parents splitting up around 2002 deeply affected her but how, through it all, even if she can’t say she was part of a perfect family, she’s still proud she can say she has the perfect father.