Posted on April 15, 2013
Looking back to my childhood years, I realize that I was born during the peak years of my father’s Philippine government service and got to know him best after he took his post in ECAFE (now ESCAP) at the UN.
The UN years, though perhaps not as high profile as his government posts, were nevertheless heady. While he, my mom and my brother were based in Bangkok at that time, I recall many many social events in our ancestral home in Quezon City. There was always a lot of music, piano playing mostly and as needed, Filipino dancing for distinguished guests (The visit of ESCAP Secretary General U Nyun of Burma, I remember the best!, maybe because a French member of his delegation kissed my hand and thrilled a young 10 year old lady to bits!).
My sisters and I always had a role in these events. Rory was always the organizer- manager, getting Bernie and I prepped to play the piano or recite a poem. We would always dress in our finery and waited till we were called to perform! I was never annoyed in having to do so – it was always good to get a pat on the head and special commendations, though I am not so sure we were all that deserving.
As part of his work, my Dad travelled to many countries. There were always many postcards from all over Asia – Japan, Korea, China, Iran. He would always tell me – someday, you too will visit these beautiful places. I recall a specially beautiful picture of the Caspian Sea and him saying how much he enjoyed the place and the caviar. I am still aiming to visit Iran.
My first trip abroad was to visit Hongkong and Bangkok to join my Dad during the summer break. Mr. U Tun Thein, Dad’s colleague and golf buddy, travelled with me from Manila to Bangkok, stopping over in HK for a few days. The HK journey was largely uneventful, except for a severe stomach upset after dring HK tap water (Manila then had the cleanest drink-able water in SEA) and a friendship with young Chinese girl, Janet Wong, who for many years was a pen-pal of mine.
In Bangkok, my Dad lived in a traditional Thai home with a large garden, owned by a German-Thai couple, the Grafs. Though his work days were full, Daddy and I visited many temples, usually following the list I researched for during the day. I remember a French- Cambodian couple also living in the same residence and where I saw very beautiful photographs of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Many many years later I would visit Angkor and remember those photos.
The Filipino social life in Bangkok was also quite active. There were quite a number of Filipino professionals in ECAFE at that time – the Manalacs, the Arzadons, the Sevillas. There were many get togethers, including swimming at the Royal Sports Club. I first learned to cha-cha in Bangkok with Lily Fernandez, who some years later, died with her whole family, in a plane crash from BKK to Manila.
Daddy and I also had many of our own swimming sessions in the Thai version of the Army Navy Club. He too was an avid golfer, usually took off for games in Hua Hin, with his buddy U Tun Thein. I’d take long drives with him to the coastal towns and spend the time looking for seashells and reading books.
Between his golfing and swimming, my Dad was buff – he never had a beer belly. But he did smoke – Chesterfields.
My Father's Gifts 
Leave a comment