my father

A friend of mine recently just lost his father from a heart stroke. Incidentally, another friends lost their father at the age of just early 50s about a month ago.

I guess that explains why my pupil dilated the instant I heard mama told about papa's recent EGC result. Papa, according to the school physician, unknowingly had a minor stroke. "Dai na kaya naturog ang ahma mo. Ikaw daw magsabi ta dai na nadangog sako".

With papa's habit of staying up late playing 3D games, I can't help but think that his health condition is due to his obsession of playing 3D games. I'm now in the pedestal of guilt, regretting buying the Call of Duty 2 game. Being a WWII enthusiast, papa liked the game so much that he requested that we buy the call of duty 1 game. He played the games religiously. The old habit of taking a stroll in the SBMA quadrangle, is now replaced with running with guns in the virtual world.

During the first few weeks of this gaming incidents, I used to think that I have a very cool dad who can relate to the new trend of gaming technology. He knows the difference between a well renderred game to that of a low poly game.

Like japanese parents who prefer playing with their kids through PS2, I was excited with the same idea that maybe we can get to talk more about our lives through 3D gaming. ironically, it didn't work that way. I lost interest of gaming, since I got myself busy with freelance and work. While my father immersed himself in his PC one game after another.

I wasn't really much bothered with my father playing 3D games. Until mama talked to me one morning flooding me with her sobs and disappointments about papa's playing. She's so worried and angry at the same time for having a husband who's growing backwards. "Your father used to join us watching TV, eating meals and helping with the chores. Now all he does is play that @#% games all day..even early in the morning. Garo na siya aki, dai na ngani nageexercise gaya ng dati.." Now I'm the one in the verge of realization that there is a thin line between adulthood and being a kid.

No matter what, I'm proud of the person my father is. He will always be the best father of my life, may it be on the real world.... or the virtual world.

I just need to tell him to grow up a bit this evening...