Happy Father's Day to my hero

Father's Day 15 years ago was my dad Frank Mayor's last. My sisters brought him cupcakes and balloons in his hospital bed in California. He died two weeks later, on July 6. He made it to Father's Day, but not to his 78th birthday on July 13.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

Perhaps, that was quintessentially Dad. If indeed he had a chance to bargain with his Creator, he would have chosen Father's Day over his birthday as his one last celebration on earth. Dad would have said, "Father's Day!" resoundingly. No ifs and buts. No question.

He was a loving and devoted husband to my mom Sonia, she was the light of his heart. But I believe he was defined by his role as a father to his four girls. During his wake, both in California and in Manila, we were approached by family and friends alike to tell us how proud Dad was of us, his four girls, how to his dying day he was telling his nurses of our achievements, just like he did to his seatmates whenever his daughters went down the stage with medals and plaques. If there was social media then and Dad was savvy with it, he would have boosted posts of what were really just family affairs — Recognition Day, Graduation.

Throughout my studies and career, it was the thought of Dad's pride that inspired, nay fueled, me to be the best I could be.