Dads come in all shapes and sizes. Some are funny, some are strict, but all of them leave a mark of strength, love and sacrifice. As we salute the dads and dad figures in our lives this Father’s Day, let’s take a look back on the most heartwarming, and sometimes amusing, 'kuwentong tatay' shared on the "It's Showtime" segment "Laro Laro Pick."
Fathers are often portrayed as strict figures, especially toward their sons, whom they hope to mold into strong men or encourage to follow in their footsteps. We often hear about fathers who react negatively when they learn that their child is gay or a member of the LGBT community.
But not Edong. He never tried to dim his son's true colors. Instead, he helped it shine even brighter. When he noticed that his child, James Ryan, now called Magda Joy, was gay when she was only 10 years old, Tatay Edong knew he didn't have to "fix" her. He would even buy her dolls, knowing it would make her happy.
Tatay Edong is proud of the person Magda has become. Raised in a home where she was free to be herself, Magda grew into a compassionate human being who now commits herself into caring and providing for her family, and that's because the love and acceptance her father poured into her bore beautiful fruit. Tatay Edong also inspired other parents to support their children regardless of gender preference. "Wala namang ginagawang masama 'yan," he said.
The same goes for Balat, who is the number one supporter of his gay son, Alvin, in beauty pageants. He provides the gowns and glam needed for every event, making sure his son feels confident on stage.
Even while caring for their own families, some fathers make room in their hearts for everyone else, too. These are the men who carry their 'pusong tatay' wherever they go. Through decades of selling 'sorbetes,' and often giving them away for free, Armando has become a beloved 'tatay' and source of joy for countless children in his community. That's why his wife is especially proud of him. Not only is he devoted to his own children, but his generosity also spills over to little kids who have enjoyed his ice cream. A good father doesn't take and expect, but he gives back more than he receives.
If there are everyday heroes among us, Marlon, an Ausome parent, certainly deserves a salute. He carries twice the responsibility, raising two children with special needs on his own after his wife's passing. The pain of losing his wife may still feel fresh, but Marlon keeps pushing forward because his two kids depend on him. He's the face of a father's resilience.
Dads are pillars of strength, and Joseph is an example—a dad who keeps going even when life hits the hardest. He lost his job during the pandemic and, even more painful, lost one of his children to kidney failure. To support his family, he took on any work he could find, from construction to loan collecting, far from the career he once dreamed of as a Biology major.
When he made it to the ‘Laro Laro Pick’ jackpot round, he took a chance on the POT question, fueled by the unwavering faith of his children, who sees him as the best person they know. And that trust paid off when he won the jackpot money. Fathers may be expected to stay strong because they are often the family's breadwinners, but Joseph's story is a reminder that they need love and encouragement, too. They may not verbalize it, but they also want to know their children believe in them, which is more than enough to uplift their courage to keep going.
Many viewers were also touched by the story of Tatay Nestor, which reflected the sadness dads experience when their children earn their wings. As painful as it may be, Tatay Nestor showed that one of the greatest acts of love a father can give is letting his children go and allowing them the space to grow.
He admitted that he often misses his child and sometimes feels remembered only in times of need. Tatay Nestor's story may not be perfect, but it reflects a very real side of fatherhood—the bittersweet reality of raising children to become independent, even when it means seeing less of them along the way. It reminds us that fatherhood doesn't stop when children grow up, though it takes on a different form.
These fathers may never see themselves as heroes, but to the people who love them, they already are. Happy Father's Day to all madlang daddies!
Catch more inspiring and good vibes-inducing stories on “It’s Showtime,” airing Mondays to Saturdays, 12 NN, on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, GMA 7, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and iWant.
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