Best advice from dads

Our parents are our first teachers. Often it’s a bad cop-good cop situation as far as parenting is concerned. While moms usually give tender loving care, dads are perceived to be more strict and firm when disciplining kids.

So what’s the best advice from dads? Let’s listen to these fathers: Atty. Perry Pe, senior partner at Romulo Buenaventura Law Office, Consul to Denmark and dean of Palawan State University Law School; rock n’ roll icon and businessman Ramon “RJ” Jacinto; Tarlac Governor Christian Yap; art patron and Crucible Gallery owner Sari Ortiga; former Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos; businessman Al Santos; Leyte’s 4th District Congressman Richard Gomez; Mr. Christmas, singer and businessman Jose Mari Chan; retail industry executive Michael Huang of Rustan’s; and actor and movie icon Albert Martinez.

Perry Pe: Never refuse to do a kindness

My style of parenting? I love to tease my kids and pull pranks on them. I like to think of myself as a results-oriented dad.

My best advice for them? I am a Mark Twain fan and here are two of the best quotes I have shared with them: “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life!”

“Never refuse to do a kindness unless the act would injure you, BUT never refuse to take a drink—under any circumstances.”

Ramon Jacinto: You harvest only what you plant

I never force my children to be what they don’t want to be. I only guide and encourage them.

My advice to them: Work ethic and sincerity in your dealings are important.

Best advice: You harvest only what you plant.

Christian Yap: Don’t do unto others...

My parenting style is supportive and focused on creating shared experiences. I want to build lasting memories with my son and fully support his passions, fostering mutual growth as father and son.

I’d describe myself as a chill and spontaneous dad who loves to go with the flow.

The best advice I’ve given my son, Yevin, is: Don’t do things to others that you wouldn’t want done to you or your family.

Sari Ortiga: Love one another

My style of parenting is to stop being a parent. More of working hard on being a friend to my children. Best advice: Love one another.

I intend to spoil my grandchildren Pepe, Tala, and Andro all I can with love. By bedtime, I return them to their parents.

Benhur Abalos: Never forget your roots

Talk to your kids. That’s what I learned from my parents. I make sure we have heart-to-heart conversations, especially when they’re going through something. I don’t believe in spanking or using threats. That kind of discipline only makes a child behave out of fear when you’re around, not because they truly understand what’s right or wrong.

I always remind my kids where we came from. My paternal grandfather was a gardener, my grandmother was a locker girl, my father was a caddie and janitor. We were poor. That’s why I teach them to value what they have. Just live simply and honestly.

The best advice I’ve given my kids?

Never forget your roots. Stay humble, live with integrity, and always do the right thing even when no one is watching. Always pursue your dreams with persistence and hard work.

Al Santos: Have perseverance

My style of parenting is a combination of “old school” discipline for character development that was still relevant, given the circumstances then when my children were growing up, and laissez-faire for my children’s aspirations and ambition.

As a dad, I believe I was, and still am, loving and protective of my children.

Best advice to my children is to have perseverance in anything they aspire for and take failures as part of the learning process to be successful in achieving their goals.

Richard Gomez: Always do what is right and good

As Juliana’s dad, I encouraged her to explore the world around her. When she was younger, I wasn’t afraid of her getting a few nicks and scrapes while playing rough or trying new things with her friends. What mattered most to me was that she had the freedom to have fun and enjoy. 

I know when to be a carefree, easygoing dad and when to step in as a disciplinarian. I think being a father to Juliana is all about finding the right balance all the time.

I often reminded Juliana to be kind and good to her friends, because the relationships we build early in life can become the ones to stay with us the longest. I also encouraged her to always be the best version of herself in everything she does. Always do what is right, what is good and what will give you inner peace and happiness.

Mike Huang: Always treat people with respect and dignity

I am more of a parent who tries to let his children discover things on their own, and I am just there to guide them through it all. I believe that they should be able to find out for themselves who they really are but just be in the background and give them a little push and some advice. 

I am the type of father who tries not to overstep, but be there, not just as their father, but somewhat like a confidant. Someone they can turn to when they need me.

My best advice to them: Never spend beyond your means and always be respectful. You should always treat people with respect and dignity.

Jose Mari Chan: Be God-loving

Our children are God’s loving gifts to us and how we raise them is our gift back to God.

As fathers, we raise and educate them to be responsible and God-loving.

We give them wings with which to achieve their goals in life but we also give them direction.

As a father, I should be a role model and also their confidant and a reliable friend. Ready to give advice anytime they need it, share hobbies and enjoy free time together.