HAVEN?T we all heard it said: If you need advice, go to your mother. If you need money, ask your father. And that?s why dad?s words are so often treasured; there?s hardly enough of them to remember.
Here?s what some celebrities recall of their father?s words of wisdom:
My father wrote me a letter when he was in prison. In the letter, he said, ?The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience. There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.? President Noynoy Aquino, quoting his father, Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.
As far as advice goes, I?m happy to say that the first thing that comes to mind is that, while he never had anything to do with making them, my father enjoyed reading ads. And that?s something that helped me choose what to do. Advertising whiz David Guerrero on his father, ambassador/Rizal biographer Leon Ma. Guerrero
His best advice? ?Praise God in all circumstances. There are no bad times, just learning moments. If you believe and stay on the right path, you will eventually be rewarded; and no one can outdo God in generosity. Being a Christian is cool.? TV host and former ?That?s Entertainment? star Jojo Alejar on his father, businessman Alfredo M. Alejar
After his experience of five years of unjust incarceration (under martial law), he said to me: ?Son, there are only three things that can?t be taken away from you: true friends, your family and God.? Ernie Lopez on his father, industrialist Eugenio Lopez, Jr.
He taught me that ?industry and thrift, coupled with generosity and kindness, are the keys to success.? Math and science columnist Queena Lee-Chua on her late father, businessman William Lee
We always talk about so many things. And when we talk, I get inspired by how much he values the language, how much he loves literature and how proud he is to be Filipino. So if I sound like that myself, I got it from him.? Adarna House?s Ani Almario, on her father, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario
My dad used to tell my brothers and me, ?When I die, I leave you only two things: a good education and a good name. So study hard and keep your name clean because that is all you will have.? I studied hard and stayed away from trouble. He was a great dad. Years later, in 1998, he became a senator. Just before he died, he gave an interview where he said, ?Find time for God and for your family.? It was tough without him; but we managed. After all, my dad left us everything we needed: a good education, a good name, faith in God and each other. Senator Pia Cayetano, on her father, the late Sen. Rene Cayetano
He told me: ?Dress for the job you desire, not for the job you have. Do whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy.? Award-winning writer Sarge Lacuesta, on his late father, screenwriter Amado Lacuesta
You have to love your family above anything else. My father was always there to help me and understand me through thick and thin. He always believed I was a good kid. He would see me through all my ups and downs, and was there to support me in all my endeavors. When I competed in swimming, he helped coach me. He would stand for two hours just to see me through training and practice. Because of him, I excelled. Same thing with my show biz career, he was always there in every decision, in every step, every move I made in the industry. We don?t do anything without his blessing and I have to say he was always right.? Actress Angel Locsin, on her father, Angelo Colmenares, a teacher and sports and fitness director
My father always told me to make sure people have a good and clear impression of you in whatever you do. He also told me not to rush into a relationship because that?s the easiest thing to do, and it will come in time. Sounds universal and pragmatic, but come to think of it, he?s right. Stand-up comic Willie Nepomuceno, on his father, the late Leonardo Nepomuceno, a police detective
Dad always tells me that friends come and go, but family is FOREVER. Inah Revilla, showbiz celebrity, student/homemaker on her father, Senator Ramon ?Bong? Revilla, Jr.
My dad tells me to never be scared to try. You will gain nothing if you?re scared. Paul Jake Castillo, reality TV show winner and actor, on father, businessman Pio Castillo Jr.
I would have to say my dad taught me my point of view on women. I can vividly remember, a father and son, guy-to-guy talk we had once in a restaurant. At the time, I was heartbroken. Sinabi lang niya, ?Treat women as t-shirts.? Nothing negative about that. What he meant by treat women as t-shirts was: There?s gonna be a girl for you na kakasya talaga sa ?yo. Like she?ll have the perfect style, the perfect fit, the perfect comfort. There will be lots and lots of better clothes out there for you, but once again, the perfect shirt for you, ayaw mo nang hubarin (you wouldn?t want to take off). Robi Domingo, reality TV show winner, music video jock and actor, on father, surgeon Robert Domingo, Jr.
Ako?y nabubuhay parang tatay ko (I live like my father). Lahat, every move, every breath?Mahal na mahal ko ang tatay ko. (I love him so much). (Being humble, knowing that you?ve been given success to help out other people in need, that I learned from my father and that I will also bequeath to my children). Robin Padilla, actor, on father, former Camarines Sur governor Roy Padilla Sr.
My father taught me to give importance to family, to protect them and provide for them, to be there for them when they need you. Christian Bautista, actor and singer, on father Ebert Bautista, environmental consultant
My father passed away almost a decade now. He taught me humility of heart and that prayers do move mountains. Actress Dimples Romana on her late father Jose Joel Romana, a former postmaster
My dad is such an open-minded, cool dad. He advised me to be really careful with boys because ?boys will be boys? and they go through that ?playboy? stage. Maegan Young, actress, on father Calvin Young III, retired US Navy officer
The greatest truth my father told me was the importance of prayer. And the biggest lie he told me was that I would be six feet tall like my grandfather. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano on his father, Danao Vice-Mayor Ramon Durano III
Well I can just say that he constantly reminds me to be humble to all people, especially now that I'm in show business. Actress Carla Abellana about her father, actor Rey "PJ" Abellana
The truth my father told me was, ?Don?t expect to get anything in this world for free. You have to work hard for every single thing.? And the lie he told me was, "Anak, ang pogi mo (Son, you are handsome).? Bam Aquino, 33, youngest of three children of executive Paul Aquino
The truth I remember my father telling me: Sometime in the ?90s, prior to the Edsa revolution, I asked my dad how we could protect ourselves as the flour industry was going to be taken over by the Marcos people. He mentioned to me, with full confidence, ?I have a big plan that will restore democracy.? Months after Namfrel (National Movement for Free Elections) was launched, people started to regain confidence and hope. And in 1986, the People Power Revolution took place and the flour industry was saved. The greatest lie was that he would stop eating sweets. He still does.? Joey Concepcion, on his father, former Trade Secretary Jose Concepcion Jr.
The truth my father told me? He tells me many things, but what he would always say is that we came from nothing, so we should never forget our roots. The lie he told me: That everything?s going to be all right. Not everything?s all right all the time. Representative Arthur Yap of the 3rd district of Bohol and former Agriculture Secretary, about his father, businessman Domingo H. Yap
The truth was that he would let me have a career of my choosing. He encouraged me to be where I wanted to be in, which was banking. He did not tell me any lies. BPI President Aurelio Montinola III, on his father, businessman Aurelio Montinola Jr.
The best advice of my father gave me was not through words but through his actions. He doesn?t degrade people or say anything bad about them. He is always considerate of other people. I admire him for that. Happy Father?s Day! I love you dad!? Vina Morales, actress-singer, on her father, businessman and show producer Enrique Magdayao
The advice I remember from my father is not to be ashamed to face or mix with anybody because we are all the same. I was able to use this advice, especially when I was already in showbiz.? Comedienne Pokwang, on her father, the late Antonio Subong, a cook
My dad told me to always set the highest goals, so at least if I don?t reach them, I will still reach something high. More is more for my dad. TV personality Mariel Rodriguez, on her father, businessman Abelardo Termulo Jr.
"The best advice I got from my dad is that it doesn?t matter what a person has in his wallet, it?s about what he has in his heart. TV host Luis Manzano on his father, actor Edu Manzano
The greatest truth he told me that I can remember was: There?s no substitute for preparation and hard work to accomplish what you want to do well. I can?t remember any lie he told me. Felipe L. Gozon President of GMA Network, on his father, lawyer Benjamin Gozon, Sr.
With reports from Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Gerry Plaza and Marinel Cruz
