Way back from my great grandparents, this is how our family goes. Before I've grown up in this modern generation, I came up from my native roots. Started from my great great grandparents, who I never see ever since even in photos. While my great grandparents except my Lola Ilang, who saw me, and even hold my small hands, sing me a song, carry me until I fell asleep, but I was still a baby then. I don't know who they are. That's why I just felt these sweet touches in reminisce. They already died before I matured. My grandparents who still try their best everytime I have problems, though none, just to cheer me up even their already old. And ofcourse my blessed parents who since I was born until forever will took the best care for me and my siblings, sacrifice for our future and strive hard for our family.In my father's family side, they came from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, or Southern parts of Luzon, pure Filipinos. While in my mother's family side, they came from Samar and Manila, A Filipino with a Chinese part but for us, we really don't mind this as a nationality, still we prefer to be a pure Filipino.
The parents of my Tatay Frank, Lolo Teodoro and Lola Felisa were farmers, definitely because Batangas really benefit a lot for farmers. I never see them nor introduce yet by my grandparents, though still I look up on how they raised my Tatay. Whereas the father of my Nanay Gaya, Lolo Asyong is a member of Veteran Federation of the Philippines, a seargant in Guerilla and USAFFE, yet my Lola Ilang is an average businesswoman of a canteen. Currently, Tatay and Nanay were living at Sabang, Naic where I also formerly live last year, plus a place for a gathering for "Fernandez". Tatay Frank is a carpenter, my joker everytime were together and a strict but humble grandfather, while Nanay Gaya is a sewer at the same time the "Best Cook" for me, she even took good care when I'm still a baby, same as my cousins, and until now.
Uniform to Lolo Teodero and Lola Felisa, I also wasn'y able to meet Tatay Igme's parents. Lolo Benisyo and Lola Maria were living at Samar that's why they work as fishermen. While I was still an elementary student when my Lolo Pidio and Lola Naring died. But when they were still living they have a Balot Production. As of now, my Tatay Igme and Lola Azon already stop working. Their siblings are now the one who afford their needs. Formerly, Tatay was a family driver while Nanay Azon was a businesswoman. Tatay loves cockfighting while Nanay Azon Bingo. Sometimes they were also strict to us, but most of the time they give rewards for our simple achievenments.
My father, Joel Fernandez, my Papa, teacher, clown , cook, adviser, the one who strived hard and went in an American Base in California just to provide our needs and a comfortable future for our family. Before, he usually makes me laugh to the fullest. He even save me from my mom's sermon. I missed his dishes, all kind of dishes. But still, even he's far from us, he always remind us morals and supports. We still can feel his kisses and embrace as he help us in our problems and blessed us as my "PERFECT PAPA".
My mother, Rosie Fernandez, a strict but soft-hearted mama. Though not that good in cooking, even in teaching us in our homeworks, she always do her best to guide us. A simple housewife but an extraordinary mom. She can do any business just to earn money. She sell gifts every Christmas, horns and fruits every New Year, school suplies every June, house and lots, and our little sari-saris tore. That's my BEST MAMA!
And that's my FAMILY, my sanctuary, the primary place for the flag of truth to be handed. The truth was meant to be given from generation to generation. If those who knew God and who had so very much to tell about Him had always been faithful, and had always stuck to the commands or the rules of the relay, there would have been no gaps. Each generation would have learned from the one before. Fathers and mothers were to tell sons and daughters. There was supposed to be a perpetual relay of truth without a break. Questions, answers, conversations while walking, natural discussions about great varieties of things, an atmosphere of reality, an atmosphere of honesty. The family — a place where true truth is to be discussed, taught, lived, and passed down. Taught? How? By example, as well as by stating facts or rules. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14, 15).
