The saying, “Like father, like son,” is expressed in another Filipino adage, “kung ano ang puno, yon din ang bunga.” This idiom is universal, as best exemplified by Tim Russert (1950-2008), whose death last Friday, the 13th of June, has elicited so many tributes. Mr. Russert was so successful in life because he lived up to what his father taught him and this he related in two books in which he wrote principally about the biggest influence in his life, his Dad. The twin best sellers are Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life and Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons

A Washington Post reader, Dan Monaghan, posted this tribute for Tim Russert: “Through his untimely death, Tim Russert has shown us that understanding what's really important isn't nearly so complex. Faith, devotion to family and honesty are the building blocks of a successful life . . .” Mr. Monaghan’s and the tributes of others are found in this link, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2008/06/tim_russert_dies.html

If a parent, like Big Russ, is able to teach his son “faith, devotion to family (and to the fatherland) and honesty,” the offspring will eventually grow up like the father and become even a bigger pillar of the community. Yes, even a bigger success story – all because of the “basic building blocks” that the father taught his son.

Readers may like to visit again this article in our Obituary-Memorial Park section, Wisdom of our Filipino Fathers (Without Apology to Tim Russert), to know the lessons that some Filipino ancestors have bequeathed to their descendants.

Yes, “like father, like son.” But if a Filipino father engages in big-time financial scandals and scams like the Pidalgate, the Velardegate, the ZTEgate, the Amarigate, etceteras, etc., would his sons turn out to be the modern versions of Jose Rizal, the Filipino martyr of a national hero, and not of Jose Pidal or Jose Velarde? And the same question can be asked of the Filipino-American fathers who are the principal characters in the NaFFAAgate  and the Menorgate and the Rodisgate (both the now-infamous Rodel and Father Rodney).

Today, as the world celebrates Father’s Day, we must look at the Tim Russerts, the Conrado Pascuals, the Perry Calicas, the Isabelo de los Reyeses, the Dominador Reyeses and other illustrious fathers of this world and learn from the lessons that they have lived and fought for so that their sons, daughters and other descendants would have a better world to live in.

Editor’s Note: To read what we wrote about some of the Filipino fathers cited in this website, please just type in the “Search this Site” button specific words like Conrado, Calica, Isabelo and Dominador and you will be able to access the documents in which they are mentioned.

And as a tribute to the Overseas-Filipino workers who are fathers, please just read this article, Mother’s Day Is Also Motherland’s Day: Remembering Countless Filipino Mothers Who Toil Abroad

Just substitute “Father” for “Mother” and you will get the drift of the story. To paraphrase it, “Father’s Day should be a day to remember the often-tragic stories of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Filipino Daddies who were forced to be separated from their families because they have to work abroad – so that their family members can have food on the table, shelter over their heads, clothing on their backs and money for education and other basic needs.”

Let us wish then all good Fathers the many happy returns of the day. As for the crooked and corrupt fathers – especially in the Philippines and other corrupt countries in the world – may they repent for their sins against humanity and may their sons turn out the opposite of what they are. Because in the ultimate analysis, the honest and exemplary reputation of an individual is the best legacy that a father can give to his children and family. No amount of money – especially that which is ill-gotten – can substitute for well-meaning and commendable work.

Hallelujah and peace be with all, especially the good fathers of every family and clan. # # #

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