FELIPE L. GOZON: A FAMILY MAN AT HEART

FOR ALL HIS ACHIEVEMENTS as chairman and former CEO of GMA Network-a titan in the corporate world - Felipe Gozon's greatest success may lie in the eyes of his family.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

In a recent STAR interview with lawyer Annette Gozon-ValdesGozon's eldest of three kids (the others are Philip Gozon and Maritess GozonViterbo) with wife Tessie, it wasn't hard to see that faith is at the heart of how FLG as he's fondly called-is as a father and husband.

Annette recalls how her dad, who turns 85 today (Dec. 8), was firm in teaching them how to "cherish our Christian faith" along with their mom.

"Growing up, we always had Bible studies and prayer meetings at home, and I'm very thankful for that," she shares.

When it came to parenting style, she says he was "very strict and very protective." "We weren't allowed sleepovers or going out especially dating! We always had to have a chaperone," she muses. Even on dates, if her siblings couldn't accompany her, it was their mother who stepped in.

Interestingly, while FLG was a strict father, as a grandfather, he's not-his softer side is on full display with his apos. "Growing up, when he's watching TV, we couldn't change the channel. But with the grandchildren, they can change the channel anytime!" Annette further shares that when her own daughter Anya was a little girl, she would sleep in her grandparents' room for three years.

"And she was fond of changing channels. So, he bought her a TV. There were two TVs in the room!" "My dad would sleep with the radio on, too, listening to DZBB... After, when she was with me, she couldn't sleep without the radio on, too, so I had to buy her a radio! At five years old, she was listening to AM radio."