Honoring of Our Parents

Karen:

Daddy Ben,

I want you to know that I really think that you are such an amazing person, and a much more amazing father. You are much treasured, celebrated, and quietly thanked.

I want you to feel really good about all the great things you do! How you’ve been such a wonderful husband to Mommy Shirley in the way you have been quiet, gentle, and have taken special care of her throughout these years; and how you have been a hardworking, patient, devoted, and dedicated father to all of us. I especially would like to thank you for always making me feel that I belonged to our family. I will always be grateful for your unconditional love and acceptance, and for the assurance that I will always have you, my family, by my side. I will always treasure all the fond memories we’ve shared together: of you taking and fetching me from school, helping me with my school projects, and sometimes bending some of the rules for me. J

I want you to appreciate your uniqueness and realize what a beautiful soul you have. When I was a young girl, I have always looked up and have always seen this in you, and this has made me look for someone like you to be my future husband. I was drawn to Ariel because I saw that he had many good qualities that were similar to yours (except mas mabilis lang po sya kumilos ng konti sa inyo). Lalo na, when I learned that he had the same birthday as yours, sabi ko sa sarili ko, “JACKPOT ITO!”

Dad, I just would like to ask for your forgiveness again for the wrong decisions that I have made before which have caused you pain, in one way or another. But I know that no matter what, you will always be proud of me.

You make so much sun shine through, and you inspire so much gratitude in the lives of everyone who is lucky enough to be a part of that joy.

You are a very special person, giving so many people a reason to smile. You deserve to receive the best in return, and one of my heart’s favorite hopes is that the happiness you give away will come back warm to you…each and every day of your life. I love you and I will always be your little girl, Dad.





Mommy Shirley,

I can look back on my childhood and realize how blessed I am to have you as a mother. Back then, I didn’t understand how much you worked hard and how much you sacrificed for our family. Yet, you never gave less than your best to us.

When I look at your hands, Mom, I see all the hard work you have done for me. I acknowledge all the sacrifices you’ve made for me because you wanted to be sure that I got nothing but the best. I remember how you enrolled me in different classes, how you were with me 24/7 when I was in show business to the point of somewhat letting go of your own business, and for giving your 100% support in all my endeavors. Thank you for providing us with the stability to keep us confident, the knowledge to help us accomplish things, the dedication to help us grow, and the enormous amount of time that you spent.


Alam ko na matigas ang ulo ko nung bata ako, pero buti nalang cute ako kaya mabilis mawala ang galit mo J. Hanggang ngayon pa naman, diba?

Mom, I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you. I never meant to do anything that would upset you or make you worry about me, but I know that there are times when I haven’t been all that I should be. I did not always realize all of these things when I was younger, at least not in ways that I could put into words. We’ve disagreed with each other, and even disappointed each other, but we accepted those times of irritation knowing that they would pass and would all welcome to understand how each of us really felt.

So again, let me just tell you how sorry I am for all those times I’ve let you down.

I wish I could find a way to let you know how important you are and how much I respect you.
I know that it is not easy for you, or anyone for that matter, to sacrifice much and love someone unconditionally, but it’s amazing because you did just that. My being in your life was never an accident, but the Lord knows what’s best for us, and all I am today I owe to Him and you. I hope I can make you as proud of me as I am to have someone like you for my mother.

You are a really incredible mom; you’re the most accomplished mother I know because of what you have done in your lifetime. You have made being in a family one of the best parts of my life. No matter what life brings my way, or how my life changes from year to year, I will always have love in my heart and the feelings of family to make my life worthwhile.

Mom, I love you very much and I want you to realize that your wondrous amazing love has always been life’s greatest gift to me.



Mommy Lilian,


There’s a certain magic that happens when a woman becomes a mother. From the 1st joyful moment she holds her newborn child, an amazing transformation begins to take place. Nourished by a fountain of unconditional love, her heart fills and expands and strengthens to nurture and protect her child for time eternal.

Thank you mom for choosing to give me life, for wanting me, and for loving me. There are decisions that you’ve made that you think were wrong, but God had a purpose for everything and He alone can turn our mishaps into blessings. I probably didn’t understand when I was a young girl why things had to be this way, but in my heart, I never was angry with you or blamed you for the decision you made. I understand the difficulty of what you went through, and I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you, if you think that I’m blaming you for that decision. I knew that you ultimately just wanted what you thought was best for me. My heart just overflows with love for you, Mom, and this has made me always long for you and long to establish the relationship we never really got to have.

Mom, I’m really grateful that the Lord gave you to me to be my mother. You and Dad really had a great combination…pang-showbiz ang beauty ko!!! J

As I begin this new chapter in my life, I pray that the Lord will continue to help us restore the relationship we have.

I know I don’t always make it clear, but I don’t want to leave you with any doubt, so remember that I love you, I always have, and I always will!




Daddy Martin,

Dad, I’ve always felt bad that I didn’t get your blue eyes, and that I got my being hard-headed from you instead! J

When I first heard your voice as we talked over the phone, I immediately knew and was overwhelmed with your love for me when I heard you say my name. And when I saw and hugged you, there was that sudden feeling that I connected and belonged to you. I never thought that it would be so easy for us to get along well, but when I got to talk to you more, I realized where I got my personality and joyful disposition.

Just like with Mom, I am so blessed to know that all these years, you were also looking for me; and now I am more blessed that we have found each other. Since that time, I thank you so much because you have never failed to express to me your longing to shower me with a father’s love.

I love you, Dad, and I’m really looking forward to the many years that we will be spending together as you retire here in the Philippines.


MAMANG,


I want you to know how much I admire you for raising such a good man as Ariel. I look up to you because I’ve seen that in the many times we’ve been together, you have always been so warm and loving to me. Thank you for making me feel at home whenever I would pay a visit to Gen San, and for always cooking great food to keep my stomach happy.

My heart is filled with so much gratitude for you and the rest of Ariel’s family for accepting me and the kids wholeheartedly and for being very understanding of our situation. I’m so blessed and thankful for how all of you have welcomed me into your family.

I appreciate you more than I could ever express! I pray that our relationship will grow and continue to flourish in the coming years. I love you, Mamang!

ARIEL:

Dear Daddy Ben, Mommy Shirley, Daddy Marty & Mommy Lilian,

Thank you very much for raising up a wonderful and gorgeous woman in Karen. She is truly all that I’ve ever hoped and prayed to marry. Thank you for your blessing and entrusting her and the kids to me.

I really look forward to spending time for us to get to know each other more, because I’m sure that I will enjoy all of you as much as Karen did.

I promise to take special care and do my best to provide for her and the kids. I am committed to love Karen unconditionally before God and before all of you.

Dearest Mang,

First of all, I would like to thank you for carrying me in your womb for 9 months. I know it was not an easy experience for you considering you had to do this for all of my siblings. I also would like to thank you for raising me up and teaching me how to become a responsible man. You have sacrificed so much for me and my siblings. In fact, I distinctly remember the times when we ate at the dining table making sure that all of your children ate first before feeding yourself. “Kahit ulo nalang ng tortang talong ang natira sayo”, not even once did I hear na nag reklamo ka. That simple gesture only shows how much you love us. I praise God for giving me a mother like you. I would not forget how you thought of us first before yourself.
Second, I want to ask for forgiveness for all the hurts and disappointments I have caused you. I know it was very painful for you to see your children disobey you at times. As far as I can remember, when I used to ask permission from you, it was always a last minute thing. Then you would say “nag papaalam ka ba o nag sasabi ka lang?”.
Mang, today, I will become a husband to my wife and a father to my children, I pray that God would give me the strength and perseverance to love and raise my family the way God has strengthened you to raise our family. Mang, I know that it is your desire that all of your children remain united by respecting and supporting one another. I will continue to keep that in mind even after I get married. I want to assure you that you have not lost a son rather; you have gained another beautiful daughter in Karen. I love you!