What seemed to be a typical congratulatory reaction for a netizen in Caloocan City turned out to be a funny conversation after her father jokingly labeled his grandchild a "super typhoon" from an ultrasound image he saw.
(Photo credits to Camille Pearl Billones-Apawan/Facebook)
Meet Ronnie Billones, 58, a loving grandfather who has spent his life working as a construction worker to provide for his loved ones.
Camille Pearl Billones-Apawan, his daughter and a social media user who is also a first-time mother, became an internet sensation when she excitedly shared the result of her ultrasound with the people closest to her.
"Paaaa apo mo 'yan! (Paaaa, that's your grandchild)," Camille captioned in her post on Facebook dated May 28. The said post has since gathered thousands of comments from netizens.
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Camille said she and her husband have been together for over a year now. They are expecting their first child.
"My husband and I had been dating for a year and a month when we married on May 2, and this will be our first child together," Camille said in a mix of English and Filipino.
As she forgot to record her last menstrual period, Camille shared that they were endorsed to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound to check how far along she was in her pregnancy.
After this, Camille immediately sent the photo to her father and closest friends. Her father didn't respond sooner because he is working as a construction worker in Aklan.
But when he did, her father's response surprised Camille.
Camille shared that she couldn't resist laughing at her father when he "jokingly" misinterpreted the photo as a satellite image of Super Typhoon Mawar named "Betty" locally.
A hardworking father
Marilyn Billones, has been married to Ronnie for 24 years. They have three children, Camille being the youngest and the only girl among the siblings.
"We are a simple family. Mahirap lang kami [We are poor] so may [there are] chances talaga na magkulang siya [that he might be lacking] as a provider but I never saw him stop working," Camille said.
Camille said her father started working in construction when he was young. Until now, he is still doing it.
"That seems to be his strength. He doesn't want to be a burden to us)," Camille said.
Motivated by her father's struggle to provide for their family, Camille used this to fuel her drive and determination for success. "He is and will continue to be a source of motivation for all of us," she added.
As the only girl among the siblings, Camille said she was "spoiled" and had been doted upon by his father even though they did not have much.
Just a joke
Camille shared that she and her father had a close bond, and had the same natural wit when it comes to jokes that's why they get along well.
She then clarified that the post was nothing but a "joke," and that is just how they talk.
(Photo credit to Camille Pearl Billones-Apawan/Facebook)
"First, I want to clarify that Papa did not mistake my sonogram for a typhoon. It was really meant to be a joke," Camille said.
Despite the post being a joke, Camille uploaded their conversation because she thought it was hilarious.
Camille added that she is used to sharing funny convos or images often on her social media account. For this post, she had no idea her father's answer would get 117K comments, and even aired on television.
Amid the humorous exchanges, some netizens said they should name the child "Betty" if it were a girl or "Mawar" if it were a male.
When asked, Camille said the baby's name is Adiel Amari --- even though they do not know the gender yet.
Proud dad, happy grandpa
When asked how he felt about his daughter’s pregnancy, Ronnie said: "Syempre masayang masaya dahil may pangalawa na akong apo. Nag-congrats nga ako. Pagkatapos nila maikasal noong May 2, nabiyayaan agad sila ng regalo. (Of course I'm very happy because I have a second grandchild. I congratulated [them] after they got married on May 2, they were immediately blessed with a gift)."
While his conversation with his daughter turned out to be a joke, Ronnie had a serious message for her daughter and other children:
"Lakasan niyo lang ang loob niyo sa buhay at mamuhay kayo ng tama. Mag-iingat palagi. (Just be strong in life and live right. Keep safe always)," Ronnie said.
In celebration of Father's Day, Camille warmly greeted Ronnie, all fathers, and soon-to-be dads.
She also asked children to love their parents. "Life is really short and sana mapasaya natin sila habang nandito pa sila (let's make them happy while they are still here)," Camille said. (Rhowen Del Rosario)