Celebs’ great moments with their dads

Dolphy

We are still celebrating the joys that having a father around can give. No matter how hard moms try, there are some things that only dads can do.

As a post-Father’s Day tribute, I asked some celebs about their most unforgettable moment with their dads.

My own dad is gone but it still makes me smile when I remember how he called me “Princess.”

Ronnie Quizon

Where do I begin? What I enjoy most besides the concern, love and affection that he gives to me in his own inimitable way, are the times when he tells me stories about his life, especially when I wasn’t even born yet. And he’s a great storyteller! Even the most serious stuff becomes funny when he delivers them. I think he always has a punchline for everything. But it’s not just his wit. Most impressive is his wisdom in dealing with certain situations and how he lives his life. I’ve never met a wiser man in my life.

There are also a lot of cute and funny anecdotes when he is in the hospital, but the most hilarious may not be appropriate to tell here. When he’s not able to speak because of the things attached to his body (he still can’t speak as I write this), he would sometimes respond with his famous “double takes” and other humorous facial expressions whenever we are trying to humor him, or whenever he feels that he should humor us.

I remember Zsa Zsa told me one time that my dad seems to be enjoying my conversations with him. I guess that’s because we do have similar interests. Not every interest we have are alike, but there’s enough to connect very well. And the big reason we connect so well is that we both can’t help but find something to laugh about in almost everything.

But I can tell you one touching moment. Eric and I went to the room to see how he was doing. He was awake at the time, and we spoke to him, one at a time…also to update him on what was going on in the world. When it was my turn, I said, “Dad, it’s me, Ronnie,” and he tried to reach for me. So I held his hand and we held hands while I spoke to him. But when I told him that it was time for us to go, so he could rest, he held my hand firmly as if he was saying, “Don’t leave!”

So I looked at Eric and shook my head, “We can’t leave.” Eric understood so we stayed and chatted with him a little longer. After a while, Eric asked him, “Do you want us to call Zsa Zsa?” He nodded, so we asked the nurse to find her. He only released my hand when Zsa Zsa arrived to take my place.

Sahlee Quizon

Spending time with my dad—just him and me having dinner, watching a movie or kwentuhan lang—is always memorable for me. I’m so happy when I’m with him.

Lucy Torres-Gomez

Daddy took me to the airport a few weeks after my wedding. I was flying out with Richard to start our life together in Manila. While in the car, Daddy held my hand. We stayed that way even while waiting for the porter to load our bags. I was holding back my tears. Of course, the minute I took my seat on the plane, I broke down. It was a bittersweet moment. I was so excited to be with my husband but I was so sad to leave my family behind because we are such a close-knit bunch.

Mariel Rodriguez

My dad and I didn’t talk for a long time because he couldn’t get over the fact that I got married so early. But during my recent trip to the United States, we made up for lost time and had a heart-to-heart talk. It means a lot to me that he now treats me as a grown-up woman, no longer a little girl .

Jasmine Curtis Smith

My most memorable moment with my dad would be the Father and Daughter Dance at school. His attendance was a surprise because I had been told he couldn’t go. I was upset for months! During the dance, Dad whispered the sweetest “I love you,” which made me cry uncontrollably. I felt like a princess.

Rachel Alejandro

My happiest times with my dad was when we performed our awesome retro dance medley at our concerts. We had so much fun doing it and it always brought the house down—especially the part when my dad did the hip-hop.

Suzi Entrata-Abrera

When I was a kid, I got a huge wound on my knee that needed sutures. My dad grabbed guava leaves from a tree, tore them up into bits, spat into them and pressed the paste on my wound. I nearly fainted not because of my wound but because of his saliva…ha-ha-ha!

Iza Calzado

I shared countless memorable moments with my dad before he passed on…earlier than expected. What stands out at this time is when he is about to be operated on and  and I was coming from “Eat Bulaga,” where I was in the opening dance. He was waiting for me and said he was proud that I did well. He made the nurses watch, too. I sure miss him!

Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada

My most memorable moment with my dad, who shaped the person that I am, was when I was 5 and he got a friend of his to play Santa on Christmas Day. I remember him telling me about Santa Claus for the first time that year; he said if I was a good girl, Santa would deliver my gift personally. And that’s what happened every Christmas. Up till now, I catch myself living by the principle that, as long as I am a good girl, all my wishes will come true. I thank my dad for instilling that in me.

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If you consider being a celebrity as your future profession, head out to Artista Academy’s one-time auditions tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Lights, camera, shine!

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