Special fathers celebrate their special day
Published Jun 18, 2023 02:42 am
While most fathers are fortunate enough to possess promising visions, some have to deal with twice the agony of a common patriarch due to various physical challenges.
Michael Manuel during the interview with Manila Bulletin on June 13, 2023, at the Masaje De Pajo in Caloocan City.
In Maypajo, Caloocan City, a massage clinic called Masaje De Pajo offers therapeutic massages facilitated by Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Some of those who work as massage therapists are fathers. Despite being hindered by their disabilities, they continue to overcome challenges to provide for their families. In this Father’s Day feature, the spotlight goes to three inspiring fathers who bravely shared their experiences with the Manila Bulletin. Michael Manuel, Bernard Padilla, and Roseller Tual opened up about the challenges of PWD fathers, the struggles they encounter in their daily lives, and the sacrifices they are willing to do for their loved ones.
Despite his vision impairment, his fate in business resulted in a clear success. Manuel, 58, founded the Masaje de Pajo which showed his incisive vision in dealing with the business industry. Aside from being a business owner, Manuel considers himself a lovable and responsible father. “In my case, I can still use my vision even just a bit, compared to my wife who is totally visionless,” Manuel said. As he works to provide for his family’s financial needs, Manuel is also responsible for various household chores. “So, ako lahat eh, pati pagluluto ng pagkain bago ako umalis kailangan luto na (I handle almost all the chores like cooking food, before I left for work,” Manuel shared. “Kailangan lahat, pamalengke, ako-ako parin (Even doing the grocery is part of my responsibility),” he added.
Despite suffering from hypertensive retinopathy or damage in the retina and retinal circulation due to hypertension, Padilla, 41, a father of two, works as a massage therapist in "Masaje de Pajo."
Bernard Padilla in an interview at the Masaje De Pajo, Caloocan City.
For him, the most challenging part of being a father with his condition is being “far away” from his children. Since he has been separated from his ex-partner and can only visit one of his children at least once a week, Padilla worries about missing his children's growth, not knowing their likes and dislikes --- among others. “May time kasi minsan na gustong-gusto ko silang puntahan pero hindi ko magawa kasi dahil sa kondisyon ko (There are times that I really want to visit them but I can’t because of my condition),” he said. Despite being physically challenged, Padilla knew that his responsibility as a father remains a priority. “Siyempre, kailangan i-produce mo diyan yung ano, unang una mga expenses – ayan yung mga baon (Of course, I have to produce [money] for the expenses specifically their allowances),” Padilla said.
Despite having a joyful personality, Tual, 45, cannot help but become emotional when talking about fatherhood. Tual, who suffers from vision impairment, also works as a massage therapist in the said clinic. The PWD father from Caloocan City is multi-talented as he was once featured in a television program in 2017 because of his talents in music and impersonation. Tual shared that he was supposed to be a father of two before he lost his child last December 2022 -- a day before his birthday. Due to a family conflict, Tual said his first child is no longer with him. Despite this, he remains hopeful that he will still have a chance to reunite with his daughter. “I'm still waiting for her,” Tual said. “And I know I can still see her,” he added.
Despite the challenges, these fathers with disability continue to persevere for their families and loved ones. While fathers with a disability like him might encounter some limitations, Manuel believes “special” fathers like them are just as “wonderful” as other heads of their families. Despite their perceived imperfection, Tual believes that even fathers with a disability can be “perfect” in their special ways. While these three fathers are physically challenged, their impairments do not stop them from giving their best for their loved ones --- making them a little bit more "special." *(Sonny Daanoy)*
Michael Manuel during the interview with Manila Bulletin on June 13, 2023, at the Masaje De Pajo in Caloocan City.
In Maypajo, Caloocan City, a massage clinic called Masaje De Pajo offers therapeutic massages facilitated by Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Some of those who work as massage therapists are fathers. Despite being hindered by their disabilities, they continue to overcome challenges to provide for their families. In this Father’s Day feature, the spotlight goes to three inspiring fathers who bravely shared their experiences with the Manila Bulletin. Michael Manuel, Bernard Padilla, and Roseller Tual opened up about the challenges of PWD fathers, the struggles they encounter in their daily lives, and the sacrifices they are willing to do for their loved ones.
Vision for success
Despite his vision impairment, his fate in business resulted in a clear success. Manuel, 58, founded the Masaje de Pajo which showed his incisive vision in dealing with the business industry. Aside from being a business owner, Manuel considers himself a lovable and responsible father. “In my case, I can still use my vision even just a bit, compared to my wife who is totally visionless,” Manuel said. As he works to provide for his family’s financial needs, Manuel is also responsible for various household chores. “So, ako lahat eh, pati pagluluto ng pagkain bago ako umalis kailangan luto na (I handle almost all the chores like cooking food, before I left for work,” Manuel shared. “Kailangan lahat, pamalengke, ako-ako parin (Even doing the grocery is part of my responsibility),” he added.
Overcoming challenges
Despite suffering from hypertensive retinopathy or damage in the retina and retinal circulation due to hypertension, Padilla, 41, a father of two, works as a massage therapist in "Masaje de Pajo."
Bernard Padilla in an interview at the Masaje De Pajo, Caloocan City.
For him, the most challenging part of being a father with his condition is being “far away” from his children. Since he has been separated from his ex-partner and can only visit one of his children at least once a week, Padilla worries about missing his children's growth, not knowing their likes and dislikes --- among others. “May time kasi minsan na gustong-gusto ko silang puntahan pero hindi ko magawa kasi dahil sa kondisyon ko (There are times that I really want to visit them but I can’t because of my condition),” he said. Despite being physically challenged, Padilla knew that his responsibility as a father remains a priority. “Siyempre, kailangan i-produce mo diyan yung ano, unang una mga expenses – ayan yung mga baon (Of course, I have to produce [money] for the expenses specifically their allowances),” Padilla said.
Dealing with longing
Despite having a joyful personality, Tual, 45, cannot help but become emotional when talking about fatherhood. Tual, who suffers from vision impairment, also works as a massage therapist in the said clinic. The PWD father from Caloocan City is multi-talented as he was once featured in a television program in 2017 because of his talents in music and impersonation. Tual shared that he was supposed to be a father of two before he lost his child last December 2022 -- a day before his birthday. Due to a family conflict, Tual said his first child is no longer with him. Despite this, he remains hopeful that he will still have a chance to reunite with his daughter. “I'm still waiting for her,” Tual said. “And I know I can still see her,” he added.
‘Wonderful, perfect’ Tatays
Despite the challenges, these fathers with disability continue to persevere for their families and loved ones. While fathers with a disability like him might encounter some limitations, Manuel believes “special” fathers like them are just as “wonderful” as other heads of their families. Despite their perceived imperfection, Tual believes that even fathers with a disability can be “perfect” in their special ways. While these three fathers are physically challenged, their impairments do not stop them from giving their best for their loved ones --- making them a little bit more "special." *(Sonny Daanoy)*