We often perceive fathers as strong and masculine, close to perfection because of the age-old metaphorical phrase ‘pillar of the household.’ But fathers also make mistakes. In this past episode from TWBA, Dennis Padilla talked about being a father to Julia, Claudia, and Leon – his relationship with them, his wishes and regrets.
Dennis is neither strict nor lenient. He’s somewhere in the middle. He’s a ‘barkada’ to them while making sure he makes the rules. “Darating ‘yung time na lalagyan ko ng limitation ‘yun na, ‘Anak, barkada mo ako hanggang dito lang. Pero ‘pag sumobra diyan, hindi. Tatay mo pa rin ako.”
Dennis would like to call himself a good provider. He sure was. But there came a point when projects started to wane. The comedian owned up to his shortcomings as a father, especially at that season when he struggled financially as well. He said he already asked for his kids and God’s forgiveness.
The years 2014 to 2015 were the most difficult season in Dennis’ life but the good thing is his children learned to also forget the past. They no longer talk about the bitter parts of their family’s story. “The first time I saw them again, niyakap ko na lang and I said ‘I love you, I miss you.’”
He would always make an effort to reach out but his kids, unfortunately, are getting busier. Dennis just learned to live with it and instead take things slowly. “’Pag sinabing ‘I’m busy this week,’ hindi na ako masyadong ano, eh. Dati masyado akong aggressive gusto kong agawin ‘yung oras. Pero ngayon hindi na, hindi pala pwede. Hindi mo pwedeng pwersahin. Kailangan dahan-dahan din ‘yung paglapit mo sa kanila.”
He went on to talk about his regrets as a father, which is mainly about not being present during his kids’ growing years. “For many years, hindi ko na-experience kina Julia, Claudia, at Leon ‘yung binibihisan ko sila, hinahatid ko sila sa eskwelahan. Mula nang naghiwalay kami, hindi ko na-experience na makatabi sila sa pagtulog. “
He wishes that his kids will also learn to reach out to him, admitting that he’s getting tired of being the one to make efforts. And that when they finally do, he hopes it isn’t yet too late. “Ayaw kong dumating ‘yung time na ‘pag gusto n’yo na akong yayain, hindi n’yo na ako mayayaya dahil nakahiga na lang ako sa kama o nasa kabaong na ako.”
The greatest lesson he picked up from all of these is that love is a choice you need to make from the beginning until the end, “Kung sino ang inibig mo sa base one, hanggang doon sa home stretch kailangan siya pa rin ang kasama mo.”
Dennis said his romantic life is happier and more at peace. He also talked about his then-5 year old and 10 month old kids with his new partner.