As a tatay, I don’t just want to provide — I want to guide. Hindi lang sa baon at tuition ako invested, but also in shaping the kind of people my kids will become. Now that I’m raising a 17-year-old and a 9-year-old, I often think: “Kung nalaman ko lang ’to noon pa…”
So today, I’m sharing a few life lessons I wish I learned earlier — the same ones I’m now passing on to my kids.
1. Money is a Tool, Not a Trophy
I used to think success was all about having the latest phone or a fancy car. Pero natutunan ko, money should work for you. I teach my kids how to save, budget, and think long-term. “Wag gastos nang gastos, anak. Hindi porket may pera, kailangang ubusin.”
2. It’s Okay to Ask for Help
For the longest time, I thought being a man meant doing everything alone. Mali pala. Whether it’s mental health, parenting, or work, asking for help shows strength — not weakness. I remind my kids that it’s brave to speak up and say, “Papa, I need help.”
3. Respect is Earned, Not Demanded
Laging sinasabi dati, “Basta matanda, respetuhin.” But real respect goes both ways. I teach my kids to treat everyone with kindness — and also to stand up for themselves when needed. “Magalang, pero hindi paapi.”
4. Failing is Part of Learning
Growing up, I feared mistakes. Now, I embrace them. I tell my kids, “Okay lang magkamali. What matters is you get back up, learn, and try again.”
5. Time is the Most Expensive Currency
Work is important, but presence matters more. That’s why kahit pagod na, I make time for family — to play, to talk, to just be there. Kasi hindi nabibili ang oras na nawala.
6. Love Isn’t Just Words — It’s Action
“Love you” is nice to hear, but it means more when it’s shown. So I make it a point to hug them, listen to them, and be patient — especially during hard days. That’s what I want them to carry with them: love that shows up.
Hindi ako perfect na tatay, pero I try to be better every day. These lessons weren’t handed to me — I had to learn them the hard way. But if I can help my kids avoid the same pitfalls, then every lesson was worth it.
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