A father’s beautiful sacrifice: Taking crossroads to keep his children’s dreams alive

Solocio keeps photos of his daughters and his family beside his mirror in his humble salon.

 By: April Grace R. Padilla

A PAIR of scissors is merely a tool that is being used by barbers to make their customers look pleasing and give them a huge smile after having their desired cuts – but for some, it meanS more than just a superficial tool.  It could be an armor that they can use to fight against their obstacles and mend the tales of their lives.

A 52-year-old barber, salon owner, and a father, Leonardo Solocio shares his sentiments as to how he has surpassed every trial in his life and how fate has played with his own dreams, leading him to the path that he has took today.

In the beginning, Solocio never dreamed of becoming a barber as he really aspired to travel the world and become a seafarer. However, as he wasn’t able to finish college, he at first didn’t know where to go. In 1990, he decided to try doing the same job as his father who was a barber.

“For a day during that time, I was able to earn 400 to 500 pesos, truly enough for a living. So through time, I decided to pursue it and further develop my talent,” says Solocio. Soon enough, he built his own Beauty Salon.

Solocio is seen trimming the hair of his customer.

Unlike other fathers, his job might look so different and atypical but Solocio believes that it is a job that doesn’t only offer satisfaction to his customers but also an avenue where he gets to learn the experiences that he has never known before.

“This job might seem different from all other certified trades but through this, I was able to hear out the stories of other people that as well inspire me. From a farmer, doctor, lawyer, and people from all walks in life, I was able to encounter them and learn so much from them,” Solocio adds.

As they have three daughters, Solocio’s wife has decided to go abroad to help him sustain their needs. He was left tending their home and children over years while still constantly running his salon. Solocio admitted that it was truly hard to be left with such great responsibility.

“It was hard to be the one who was left here to attend the children. Everytime they have problems and immediate financial needs, I’m the one who must do everything to address it and provide for them. At times, I was so afraid that they won’t be able to continue going to school because my income from the salon is not enough to suffice all their school needs, so I resorted to every possible means just to keep their dreams living on. I even took the crossroads from the highway-uptown which reminds me too much while looking for money to be paid for their tuition fees. I think kneeling before people was the only thing that I’ve not done just to keep them pursuing their education,” shares Solocio while teary-eyed.

Amongst all his sacrifices, he was happy that his three daughters are supportive of him and all of them have already graduated as nurses – that is what he considers to be the best reward that he has ever received from them.

To all the other fathers, Solocio leaves this advice: “We need to strongly believe in ourselves that we can surpass every problem, we have to keep our faith to God, ask for his guidance, and also dedicate ourselves in everything that we do. In the end, we will surely reap what we sow.

Just like Solocio who raised his children by wielding all his strength and talent, every father in the world who does the same deserves to be recognized. Not only does he make his customers beautiful, but he also does a beautiful sacrifice while taking a different road from the common path, because his love for his family knows no definite conditions.

A father’s love is truly immeasurable. Their sacrifices are invaluable that they do everything just to keep their children’s dreams alive.  Thus, to all kinds of father in the world, we extend our salutations. Happy Father’s Day!/PN

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