Rafa Alunan,
24, Businessman

RAFA Alunan still thinks of himself as a rookie dad. ?I?m still learning,? he says. Dad to 2-year-old Lucas and Rosario who is 8 months, and married to top bag designer and style icon Amina Aranaz, he enjoys having fun with his babies.

?They?re still so young so I just let them climb and jump all over me when I?m lying down.?

Describe yourself as a dad.

I need to be more hands-on. I?m a lousy disciplinarian and I don?t think that?s going to change for a while.

Are you strict or are you a spoiler?

Spoiler.

How do you bond with your kids?

I play a lot with them and talk to them

What?s your favorite thing to do with your kids?

Definitely playing with them outdoors. My son really likes wide open spaces and swimming. We go to the beach any chance we get. Since Rosario is just 8 months, she comes along to watch most of the time but I can tell that she just can?t wait to walk and run so she could join.

Any favorite stories about your kids?

Lucas was playing with a statue of Jesus, he dropped it and it broke. He picked up the decapitated statue and ran to Amina, shoved the statue in her hand and as soon as Amina saw it, he shouted ?Hala!?

Unforgettable memory?

Since Helena was born we?ve only been to Boracay ? needless to say they were mesmerized by the scenery so it was conducive to spending some much needed family time. On the way to the resort Lucas was on my lap. The resort staff started passing around cold facial towels so I got one for Lucas. I gently wiped his face and neck then I heard him say, ?Ahhhh... refreshing!?

What?s one lesson you want to teach your child?

To never belittle or bully anyone and never to allow anyone to belittle or bully you. I?ll probably teach them some martial arts and how to handle a gun but to take on the right approach and attitude so that they do not misuse it.

What do you love the most about being a dad?

Experiencing unconditional love from someone other than a dog.

Sandeep Khanna,
43, marketing head, Nokia

FRIDAY nights are sacred for the family of Sandeep Khanna, Nokia?s marketing head. This is the day he, his wife and his daughters 10-year-old Sanjana and 7-year-old Suhaana to have fun and sleep in the same room.

?The intent is to do this once a week so that we really have complete time together just for them. This is one activity we all look forward to and try and make a ritual of it.?

Describe yourself as a dad.

Doting, approachable, decisive.

Are you strict or are you a spoiler?

As with most things in life, a bit of both. I believe it?s important to give them unconditional love but at the same time be firm and decisive with them so that so they can distinguish between right and wrong. Children are very impressionable and the earlier the right value systems are embedded, the better.

How do you bond with your daughters?

Many ways. It all starts with spending time with them and doing different things. We play board games, read a book together, watch their favorite TV program or just talk to them about their school activities and sharing new developments. Another thing we like to do is have a periodic vacation just with the kids so that the total attention is on them.

What?s your favorite thing to do with your daughters?

Both the girls love to swim and even though I cannot, they love the idea of me with them in the pool splashing around with them.

Any favorite stories about your kids?

Both of them have the unique ability to switch accents depending on who they are talking to. I just marvel at the way they speak with a fluent American accent when their friends call to check if they can visit and surprise my wife with a totally Indian speaking style in the very next breath. When it happened the first time, I was too stunned to react. Now I look forward to it with great amusement.

Unforgettable memory?

We were watching this Bollywood movie where the daughter was getting married and everyone was crying. My wife and I just started kidding them that when they grow old, they will marry and go away to far away lands and we won?t have anyone to look after us. Our elder one piped up and consoled us by saying ?Don?t worry, when I get married, I will make sure my house is always within walking distance of your home.?

What?s one lesson you want to teach your daughters?

There is no substitute for hard work to succeed in life. Find what you love and then work hard to be the best you can be in that.

What do you love the most about being a dad?

Being able to mentor them and see them evolve and grow from a clean slate to unique personalities in their own right.

James Antolin,
40, chef

Chef James Antolin may be busy with the new culinary school he is heading but he always makes sure he has time for his children ? Janina Mirelle, 4, and Jeremy Markus, who?s over a year old.

?I make sure I am the one who tucks them into bed every night,? he says, ?That?s our exclusive bonding time.?

Describe yourself as a dad.

Complete. I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful kids. They inspire me to be a hardworking and sincere person.

Are you strict or are you a spoiler?

I would say I am a spoiler ? but with boundaries, especially with my girl Jamie.

What?s your favorite thing to do with your kids?

Going on vacation trips to beaches and resorts. That?s really quality time as we get to do activities we all enjoy without the interruption of the daily grind.

Any favorite stories about your kids?

It?s always a riot when Jamie performs for us. She would pretend she is Hannah Montana with all the props ? the wig, the guitar, the whole shebang. As for Jeremy, wherever we are, he lightens up and gets excited every time he sees cars. Whether it?s a toy or a real one, he goes crazy! I think he has the makings of a future F1 race-car driver.

Unforgettable memory?

With our daughter Jamie, it was our trip to the United States when she was a year old to see her lolo and lola for the first time. With Jeremy, our recent trip to Bella Roca resort in Marinduque. We all enjoyed the stay, the highlight being snorkeling.

What?s one lesson you want to teach your child?

That God is our Almighty Father and along with it is the value of practicing humility in their daily lives.

What do you love most about being a dad?

Being there for my family 24/7. It is one role that I would tirelessly and happily embrace for as long as I live.