Happy 82nd birthday, Daddy Kina!

82 years exactly today, October 26, a brilliant lawyer and the most loved grandfather was born — my Daddy Kina.

Just a quick trivia: My parents came up with nicknames for our grandparents so my sister and I wouldn't get confused on who's who. Since my dad is from Bulacan, I call my grandparents on my father's side as "Daddy Can" and "Mommy Can" ("Can" because it's the last syllable of Bulacan). While my mom is from Marikina, I call my grandparents on my mother's side as "Daddy Kina" and "Mommy Kina."

Daddy Kina is a kind-hearted and a spoiler type of grandfather. When we were little, my sister and I used to visit Marikina every weekend (but up until now we still do) and Daddy never fails to treat us out, usually it's a Happy Meal at McDonald's. Or when we go to the mall, he used to always accompany us to Toy Kingdom and tell us, "Kunin niyo lang yung gusto niyo ha. Bibilhin natin yan. (Just get whatever that you like. I'll buy them for you)"  To this, my Mommy Kina, being strict, would get mad at him for always granting our wishes. In the end, he always wins over her. He isn't only a spoiler to my sister and I but also to his other grandchildren. Since my cousins would also visit Marikina, Daddy would always drive us to the mall for us to play at Timezone. He wouldn't join us, though. He just gave us money to reload our Timezone cards and then just patiently sit and have coffee at the nearby coffee shop until we're done playing. These are the little things that would conclude how Daddy Kina loves his grandchildren so much and just seeing how happy we are makes him happy too. Up until now, he still spoils us and loves to joke around with us.

Daddy Kina is such an inspiring man. I've heard how he was once a boy who shines shoes and sells candies to get extra baon for school, he also became a conductor in a bus, and now, he is a successful and the most brilliant lawyers I know.

We have a lot in common, I guess. A few of those is that we both like steak and we both like to read books and write articles. Up until this day, whenever we eat out, we both love to eat at restaurants who serve the best steaks. Sometimes, while strolling along the malls, we would just look at each other and he would say, "Kain tayo ng steak? (Let's have steak?)" And from then on, we would have happy tummies when we get home. He also became my mentor when I was writing for my high school's newspaper. He critics my articles and thus, it made me become a better editorial writer.  Since we have a lot in common, I once considered taking up pre-law for college because of him but I realized, it wasn't for me. (Sorry, Daddy)

For his 82nd birthday, we celebrated by having lunch at Cafe Ysabel. My wish for my Daddy Kina is for him to maintain his good health and of course, more birthdays to come. May he continue to be an inspiration to others. I just couldn't imagine my life without my him. Happy birthday, Daddy Kina! I love you and thank you for everything.