A FATHER CAN BE THE LIGHT OR DARKNESS FOR HIS CHILDREN (EVERY TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT)

MY TRIBUTE TO OUR BELOVED

SENATOR BENIGNO “NINOY” S. AQUINO, JR.

FOR HIS 26th DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Fathers are the biggest source of strength for their children. The innocent eyes of a child perceive father as the all-powerful, most knowledge, truly affectionate and the most important person in the family. The Aquino children are blessed with a courageous and loving father and they are very fortunate.

Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. was a true hero. Not only to his children but to the Filipinos too, We salute YOU SIR for what you’ve done to our Country.

Generally, children mirror their parents. That’s why there is a Pilipino aphorism to the effect that “kung ano ang puno yun din ang bunga” (whoever your parents are is who you are). This tradition traced back its roots since time immemorial and carried over up to the present, which has circulated into widespread idealism that even a man of fashion would cast aside his ego and be influenced as to constitute the truth. Frankly, I also share this belief by heart.

Children learn all kinds of things from watching parents because they are their first and best teachers. As children, the father is all they have and so, what he is doing is all they see. They learn social skills, which can be as basic as saying "please" and "thank you," or more subtle, like how to speak and act at any occasion. Children watch their father in every situation and learn from him.

From parents, children also learn values, such as the values of hard work and respecting others. Your child learns how to treat others from the way you treat him. He will learn from your actions how to treat people from all walks of life. From you, children learn to value and respect all and sundry. Your example of coping skills also gets passed on, especially if you share with your children how you deal with problems. If you tackle a big problem by breaking it up into small, manageable challenges, your children will learn not to despair when faced with a tough situation.

The love of learning, healthy habits, and active lifestyle, are among other practices children can learn from their parents' actions. The important consideration in all of these cases, however, is that a father's actions must align with his words. As a parent, you want to model what you say. It has been widely accepted that a father is the invincible hero to his son; the knight in shining armor to his daughter. A father is all powerful, all knowing, all wise and wonderful to his children. Therefore, a father should be patient and kind, loving and broad-minded, helpful and understanding so his children would also become like him when they grow up. Pertinently, a father who is the baton bearer of the family’s reputation should set a good example to his children if he wants to raise a truthful, caring, law-abiding people out of them.

The parents have to love their children deep down at the root of things and as a matter of nature because children are the general reflection in tragedy and comedy regularly referred to their parents. They extend and continue the legacy of their parents in their lives that they are likely to nurture the good reputation, at the same time defend the bad and the ugly ones as well. Children are the recipients about the views or opinions that the public bestow upon their father. Whatever their father’s status that the public hold is also the general projection the children will be labeled. In other words, the Children cannot walk away from getting their father’s horrible past thrown in their faces. It’s a life time sentence for them. They are doomed to continue the cycle of untrustworthiness that so many go by. It's really a shame, and the stigma is attached to the children who suffer the after effects by force of circumstances.

Indeed, this is sentimental and ironic for the children to live in a time where the meaning falls in splinters for no other reason but only the faded memories covered now with lines and creases done by their father somewhere long time ago that didn’t turned out right. But that is the tradition handed down to us from generation to generation by our precursor. We always hear the common expression, “like father like son”, haven’t you? Matter of factly, Children are the ones who will inherit the father’s identity or reputation he had created towards the public during his lifetime. So it's very important, if a father wants his children not to suffer the stigma of his misdeeds and disgraceful acts, he, as a father, should focus on not repeating mistakes, and focus on building his character. He must be careful in what he is doing, and that he assumes or imagines that there are really no secrets in his life.

The essential characteristics of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and the highest ethical standards of the father must be displayed and spread at all times. Conduct, both at work and outside may have a direct effect on how he and his family are perceived by the public. Conduct , which is in keeping with these standards, will positively redound to the benefit of the family’s good image and reputation, and can surely heralded as a trademark to his offspring.

Like in my case, I always show respect and give special treatment to the children of the friends and colleagues of my late father whom he had good words and praises during his lifetime. In the same manner, that if we as a father will propagate that good reputation and goodwill in relation to the public, it becomes the family’s crest and emblem-- the Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia for our children to reap.

So, how do you like your children to grow up? By setting the example to be honest, responsible, principled, and standing out from the rest. To all the fathers: spend quality time with your children and bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

“Character is largely caught, and the father and the home should be the great sources of character infection” (Frank H. Cheley).