How Did ‘Tatay’ Do That?

Cruz family. TL-TR: Ate Thelma, Kuya Tom, Diko Gerry (deceased), Ybet; BL-BR: Tatay Celing, Nanay Azon/Cora
Cruz family. TL-TR: Ate Thelma, Kuya Tom, Diko Gerry (deceased), Ybet; BL-BR: Tatay Celing, Nanay Azon/Cora

About My Family

Being the youngest in the family of 4 children, I grew up to be constantly treated as the bunso, who always simply listened and obeyed my parents, my Tatay (Dad) and Nanay (Mom), and my siblings, Kuya (1st born), Diko (2nd) & Ate (3rd).

My Tatay was a barber and my Nanay was a dressmaker. Both of them worked from home every day in their entire life together as husband and wife. They had their own respective barbershop and small dress shop right on the ground floor of our simple abode in Malabon. The 2nd floor, then, served to be our dwelling and lodging place where we lived in a happy and close-knit, typical Filipino family.

Our family life was simple and everything in our home was quite ordinary. However, there were a couple of wonderful memories and traits that I will never forget about my Tatay. Those memories have left a huge impact in my life, especially now that I am a father of two daughters: One is 22-years old (currently studying in one of the universities in Singapore) and the other one is 5 (currently in Singapore Kindergarten school).

About Tatay Celing

One of the reasons why I greatly admired my Tatay is that in spite of his modest job as a barber (though he owned his own barbershop), he managed his financial obligations together with Nanay very well. I remember that there was a period in our life when all of us were in college/university in the same year and not one among us stopped going to school. None of us, I could say, experienced any desperate financial insufficiency during that time. Their hard work helped us all successfully complete our university degrees. My Kuya obtained his double degree and is now a Licensed Civil Engineer and Environmental & Sanitary Engineer (5th place in Board Exam), my Diko became a Certified Public Accountant and my Ate graduated “Cum Laude” with her degree in Education.

The question I have now is, “How did Tatay practically do that”?

Tatay’s “can do attitude”

By the grace of God, Tatay (although he was not yet a believer at that time) did not give up and really did his best to pursue his visions for all of us to be professionals someday. He started up a sari-sari (sundry) store right where the small dress shop of my Nanay was located. He raised chickens at the back of our house, then raised pigs, rabbits, and ducks… Where? Right at the two sides of our house. Yes! And I forgot to mention, the total lot area was only around 100 square meters. He also started a bicycle rental business where all of his bikes for rent were placed in front of our house. Not forgetting the pool table he set up… Where? Also in front of the house, just beside the bikes, which was also meant for public rental where customers were mostly our neighbors. Through all his efforts, I can say that I unconsciously learned from him the value of “can do attitude” that he exhibited in fulfilling his dreams for his children.

Tatay’s Relationship With Nanay

Furthermore, another inspirational experience I had with my Tatay was during my whole life that I lived with them, I have never seen Tatay and Nanay fighting with each other or having any heated argument even once, literally! Considering that they were both home-based, I couldn’t imagine the tendency of having conflicts in that situation. With each other’s constant presence, I find it really amazing as I’m sure that they had disagreements but they both managed to keep it within themselves and handled them very well. I believe they have done their best for the sake of us – their children.

I have never seen Tatay and Nanay fighting with each other or having any heated argument even once, literally! Considering that they were both home-based, I couldn’t imagine the tendency of having conflicts in that situation.

I also remember a memorable moment when both of them were already in their 80’s and all of us have our own families. During that time, Nanay was bedridden at home and Tatay was also fragile due to his age. Tatay was in and out of the hospital.

Ybet Cruz with wife, Shelah, and two daughters
Ybet Cruz with Tatay Celing and Nanay Cora

One day, Tatay was discharged from the hospital. Upon reaching home and seeing Nanay again, I could see from their faces how much they have missed each other. Both of them were trying to reach each other’s hand in their slow motion, as they were both physically weak, with teary eyes. That moment was really touching and delightful to see.

We were moved by their gestures on how they have shown how much they still loved and missed each other in spite of their age and condition. I truly believe that Tatay, as the head of the family, had a great influence on why and how they succeeded in maintaining such a wonderful and sweet relationship, but of course not discrediting Nanay’s big part in it.

Conclusion

It was only after I became a believer & follower of Jesus Christ many years ago, that I realized it was all because of God’s provisions for our family through Tatay that sustained all our needs during those times. Without God, we would not have achieved what we have right now.

By God’s grace, both Tatay and Nanay accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour before they were called home.

Going back to where I came from, I can truly say that I am proud of my “Tatay Celing”. What a wonderful father he was! I know that Tatay had a lot of imperfections and flaws, but I also know that Tatay had indirectly taught me the value of hard work and the real meaning of unending love for the family.

I know that as a father, I am a work in progress and there is still a lot for me to learn, but with God’s grace and mercy, I can be the kind of father God wants me to be!

Gilbert Cruz, a.k.a. Ybet, is the youngest sibling of the family. He grew up in Malabon playing basketball in the streets and public courts.

He finished BS in Electrical Engineering from Mapua University, a Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Master Electrician. Currently, he works as a Regional Training Manager in the Asia Region.

He’s happily married to Shelah and blessed with two daughters, Denise Alison and Adrianne Louise.