How Their Dads Shaped Their Personalities and Destinies

Whether we have chosen a career close to our fathers or not, there’s no doubt that they shape our destiny and who we are.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

Take it from film director Ron Howard, whose daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, followed in his footsteps to Hollywood, starting out as an actress who appeared in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” and the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” before becoming a director herself like her dad.

Bryce Dallas directed many episodes of the Star Wars live-action series like “The Mandalorian” and the Apple TV+ documentary “Dads,” where she interviewed many Hollywood fathers, including her own. She clearly looks up to her dad, acknowledging that it’s a difficult task than any man could bargain for. Ron explained, “What ultimately adds up is what they see, what they witness, and the way you as a father live your life. Because at his best, a father provides a kind of consistent sense of safety and therefore possibility.”

For today’s Father’s Day, some Cebuano personalities shared to The FREEMAN about their relationship with their dads.

Musician Gabriel Keith Wong (The Wonggoys) on William Wong Sr.:

“He didn’t play any instruments, nor did he have a knack for singing, but his deep love for music had a lasting impact on me. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by the sounds of his vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs — each one carefully chosen and often tied to a memory, a place he had visited, or a concert he watched.

He had an ear for variety, exposing me to a rich mix of genres, from classic rock and jazz to rare, exotic, and native songs from around the world. I even remember him bringing home a CD from India that got me researching unusual instruments from their culture. Through his collection, I unknowingly absorbed a deep appreciation for music's diversity and emotional power, which later became the foundation of my journey as a musician.