In Dad’s footsteps

Dad’s influence: No matter how culturally distant, dads have a way of rubbing off on their children. — Filepic/The Star

MY father was in Zamboanga when I was born, having accepted a one-year contract to be a very young (he was 28) principal of a Chinese school there. Even after he returned to Manila, he was often away and, when around, was distant.

When I had to leave for the United States to study, he shook my hand and wished me luck, adding, “Your mother will take you to the airport”.