Happy Birthday, Tatay!

It's my father's birthday today. Unfortunately, he's no longer here because he passed away almost four years ago in December 2005. But we always remember his special day. He would have been 70 today.

My Tatay, the late Buenaventura C. Salazar, is a very special man in my life. He was a disciplinarian, a man of few words and a thinker. He was not the expressive type but I know he was proud of what his four children have become despite of our flaws. Tatay was a very practical man and a loyal employee. I admired him for rising from the ranks through his sheer dedication and hard work.

I share with you here the eulogy I made for him.

TATAY– Our Superman

He may not have the body and physical strength of Superman but our dear Tatay was a man of steel – strong in mind and spirit.

As a father, he was always our “pillar of strength” reminding us all the time to be strong in facing life’s trials and never failing to give us practical advices when we need them. He was a strict disciplinarian during our growing up years but we thank him for being so for it taught us to be independent and responsible. Weekends and special occasions were always spent with the whole family either at the beach or dining out in a restaurant.

As a husband, he was ever loyal to Nanay. He took pride in his wife bringing her with him to any place he was assigned to. As a couple, they were a sight to behold.

As a grandfather, he was the doting “Lolo Ben” who would shower the kids with his overflowing love, attention and generosity. Even the children in our neighborhood, who serenaded him with his requested Christmas songs on his last night, love him dearly.

As Belly, the brother, he was very supportive – never failing to help a sibling in need and never complaining when asked to do a favor.

As a boss and friend, he was very humble, always smiling and easy to get along with.

He was a big basketball fan with a passion for the sport that was contagious.

From his humble beginnings in Lubao, Pampanga, Ben was a self-made man who worked his way up through his own dedication and perseverance. He was a man of few words yet an intellectual with unbending loyalty to his family and job -- having served the First Malayan Group for 40 straight years.

His dream of building a home for his family he did achieve with no frills calling it “the fruit of my labor.” And until his last day here on earth, he beautified our home most especially for Nanay and a dear sister just like how our Lord prepared a home for us in heaven. Hence, despite this grief we feel, we are comforted by the fact that Tatay died a happy and fulfilled man. And surely, when he met our Creator, he was told “you did a great job Ben, welcome home!”

To our beloved TATAY, thank you for everything. We love you so much and we will terribly miss you.