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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Sunday, February 12, 2017
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COOL DAD Jay-R Santos of Iloilo City, a businessman, hangs out with his “greatest treasures” – daughter Kylene Trista and son Gavin Christopher. “I am most proud to be their Dad,” he says.
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LOVE knows no distance.
For 36-year-old businessman and doting father Jay-R Santos of Iloilo City, this means flying to Manila to be with his 11-year-old daughter this Valentine’s Day.
Though busy with the family business as exclusive distributor of Solane liquefied petroleum gas in Iloilo and Guimaras provinces, Jay-R vows to make this Feb. 14 very special for her daughter and 16-year-old son.
Under very difficult circumstances, the father of two and his daughter are separated. She’s in Manila living with her mother. But no unfavorable circumstances should get in the way of a father’s unconditional love to his children, he says.
So this Tuesday, work takes a back seat as Jay-R flies to Manila to have a “date” with daughter Kylene Trista. He wishes to make up to her for the lost time they should have been spending together.
“When I get there, malagaw kami. We will celebrate Valentine’s Day. Simple lang. Ma-dinner kami. S’ya akon date,” he says while flashing a smile.
Yes, he’ll be checking her studies, too, as all concerned fathers do.
“I’ll check what she needs in school, among others,” says Jay-R. Quality time will include malling, too, he adds.
Thanks to modern technology, distance becomes inconsequential as father and daughter continue to keep in touch with each other. The communication lines are open – always.
Jay-R never starts his day or ends it without calling his daughter or sending her messages.
For everything there is a time under the heavens, and Jay-R is hopeful that in God’s appointed time, they will be together again. He dreams of spending more time with his children like they did before – simple things like watching movies at home, eating out, malling together, even sweating it out at home or at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
For eldest son Gavin Christopher who’s with him, Jay-R says he’s not just a father but a friend and big brother, too.
Because he’ll be in Manila with his daughter on Feb. 14, Jay-R had a pre-Valentine treat to his son.
“Nagbawi ko. I prepared everything for his JS Prom. I prepared his suits designed by the famous Iloilo designer Bo Parcon,” says Jay-R.
Yes, he wants only the best for his first born for the JS Prom, he says while recalling his own Prom years back when he was selected the Prom King.
“I wish he’ll be Prom King, too,” the proud father confides.
The son understands why his father will be spending Valentine’s Day with younger sister Kylene Trista.
“Valentine’s Day last year I was with him so I asked him if it’s okay that I’ll be with his sister this time around,” says Jay-R.
Being a father is a tough balancing act. Jay-R is thankful for having a role model – his own father. He describes himself as a disciplinarian with a heart just like his old man.
“He showed me love through discipline. He told me love wasn’t merely about giving me what I wanted. Discipline develops the right values,” says Jay-R, and he appreciates what his father had done. “He taught me how to survive in this world.”
One of his goals, says Jay-R, is to pass on to his children the values of hard work and discipline that his father taught him.
In this regard, many simple things matter such as doing household chores.
“Ang children ko, I give them household chores, indi lang sige sugo sa helper,” says Jay-R.
He also watches their academic performance and regulates their free time.
“Wala total freedom (to go wherever they want). Ang lagaw nila dapat i-equate sa grades nila,” he reveals.
Jay-R makes it a point to explain to his children “why they can do this thing or not, or why I do this.”
This Valentine’s Day, the devoted father has a special message to his two precious children: “Of all the things I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your Dad. You two are my greatest gifts from God, my greatest treasures. You are my greatest dream come true. I love you.”/PN
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