by Cara Alegre
When I was younger, I grew up never really knowing what my dad did for a living. I remember thinking he was a businessman because he dressed up just like the ones in the movies; I also thought that maybe he was a celebrity because of all the famous people he knew, and I even went so far as thinking that he was the president of the Philippines. At one point I even thought he was a spy for the CIA.
To most, my dad may seems like a serious man, but to my family and myself, he is a profound comedian. My dad can always find a way to make us laugh, whether it’s through his impersonations of Liam Neeson or his wacky antics. Sometimes he can even be sillier than the kids. That is one thing people don’t know about him–he has a youthful spirit.
He is always game to do whatever the kids are doing. In fact, during my sixth birthday my mom hired a kiddie salon to glam up all of my friends and I with colored hairspray and glitter. My dad, being such a cool dad, was the only adult who decided to join us and had his hair sprayed red.
Another great thing about my dad is his unwavering positivity. Managing a family of eleven and the affairs of several media companies can get very hectic, but my dad manages everything with grace. Every single day my dad has to go to meetings all over Metro Manila and answer business calls almost every hour but despite all these he still manages to actively participate in our family viber group with a lot of enthusiasm.
There were so many times my family was faced with adversities that I thought we would not overcome. Luckily, my dad was there with his unwavering positivity, yet again, to help us know that everything was going to be all right.
However, when it comes down to it all, I think the best thing about my dad would have to be his unconditional love. My dad has constantly gone out of his way to show how much he loves us, especially with the girls in the family. Every year for as long as I can remember my dad has made it a point to always be our valentine, surprising us with roses, chocolates, and a handwritten letter. When it comes to my brothers on the other hand, my dad makes it a point to watch their football games whenever he can; even if it means having to sacrifice his sleep.
“You give beyond the pain,” iss what he would always say, and that is exactly what I try to live by everyday.
Up to this day, it is very difficult to pinpoint exactly what my dad does, but the one thing I know for sure is that my dad may have a million and one jobs, but he has gone far and beyond in the most important one–being my dad.
Cara Alegre is the daughter of UPMG President Ricky Alegre. She wrote this piece exclusively for adobo magazine’s Father’s Day Tribute.
