My father always knows what to say to make me feel better. “Don’t listen to them,” he would say when I used to get bullied in middle school. He even helped me lose weight by taking me to the gym to practice basketball and do some weightlifting. He has not only pushed me to become stronger and smarter, but also to become a man who can fight for himself. He has always been supportive of my dreams and goals. My father is my role model for the following reasons:

1. He’s multilingual.

He can speak multiple Filipino dialects. My sister would poke fun at how funny he sounds sometimes, but I cannot blame his accent. His English is not to be reckoned with. While he may sound funny trying to pronounce those big words, but do not be deceived. My dad knows how to curse in English. And that is probably enough to survive.

2. He can fix things.

Broken bulbs, flat tires, dilapidated drawers, you name it! He is a handyman and an engineer who can fix anything. He is passionate about engineering and the whole world of mechanics. He has not once failed us. He has even constructed a lechon grill for roasting pigs with his friend Jun.

3. He’s the safest driver I know (besides myself).

He was the one who taught me how to drive. He helped ease my driving anxiety. While I am still afraid of making errors while he is in the car with me, I am glad that he points them out so I do not make the same mistakes again.

4. He can cook native dishes.

Fish, beef, pancit bihon, soups, stews, and the list goes on. He is the best cook in the family. Sorry mom, dad wins this category. I cannot thank him enough for all those breakfast omelets that helped me throughout the day. And those melon shakes…they are to die for!

5. He has the best poker face.

Not to mention, he can also call out your bluffs. He is a master at poker and has even taught me how to play. Now, I do not exactly remember how to play it, but if I am going to hit a Las Vegas casino, I might as well ask him for help.

6. He’s a math buff.

My sister and I got his genes for being a math buff. My father is a living, breathing calculator. He can compute difficult math problems in seconds. My mother even wishes she could borrow his brain for once since she cannot do math as easily as my dad could.

7. He’s a big sports fan.

He was ecstatic when the Warriors won the Finals. I, on the other hand, was devastated for the Cavs. I really thought they had a chance. But basketball games can be unpredictably unpredictable, if that makes sense. It’s not like the Olympics. And my dad has probably watched hundreds of sports games and I envy him, because I wish I could appreciate sports more like him.

8. He’s a man of his word.

His attitude towards life is one of the chief reasons why he is my role model. While he may seem like a pessimist at first, he isn’t. He is an optimistic patriarch. He always keeps his promises and makes sure he leads my sister and me to the right path, taking us to church. I would not be where I am right now if it were not for my father. I wanted to grow up just like him and people to ask me, “Isn’t Jose your father?” And I would proudly say, “Yes. Jose’s my dad.”