A Letter from A Little Girl to Her First Love

EVERYONE has a different story when it comes to their fathers, but somehow everyone seems to have a linear experience when it comes to such a relationship. But the truth is, fathers, even with all their shortcomings and mistakes, were your first love and you will always be their little girl. They will always hold a place in your life and your being; and no matter what you do and feel, they will always exist. 

This Father’s Day, Republic Asia presents a compilation of letters from several “dad’s little girls” writing to their “first love.” 

A Letter from His Mini-Me

Dear Dadi,

Think of me as your mini-me, or as the one who will accomplish all the other dreams you had for yourself, because from the songs that I listen to; be it EDM, house, alternative rock, 2010 pop—to my goals in life, which are to become a diplomat and even a part of the Air Force—every day, you are a part of everything that I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy Father’s Day to the reason for my being. Dadi, you make me strong, because you are strong. You make me want to do everything to keep our family happy, because you do everything to keep our family happy. 

You’re still young, so now’s not the time for me to say this “As you grow older” speech, but nothing in life is promised. So, while I know that I am not good at it, I hope you feel my efforts to ~try~ and show you how loved and appreciated you are.

I love you so so so much!

Gillian Collado, 18

A Letter from His Last Love

Hi Dad,

Did the wind carry the tiny whispers of my heart to you up there? I really hope it did, because today was life-changing enough that I yearn for you to hear about it. 

I went to two interviews today, a feat that I didn’t imagine would happen in these self-loathing weeks—where everyone was already sprinting ahead and I was still preparing to walk in these newly-polished adult shoes. 

There were fleeting moments that happened as I stepped outside the buildings; it was as if I was waiting for you to appear by the exit doors—with a warm smile and a calloused hand holding a small paper bag with choco-honey dipped munchkins. I knew then that it didn’t matter if I was accepted or not because you would probably tell me that there were more chances left and you would walk with me through it all. 

Our footprints may not match at this moment, but I feel you whenever the wind tells me to look up at the sky. I hope I made you proud of these small victories of mine. 

Happy Father’s Day. 

Love, 

Mai-Mai

Rianna Mae Santiago, 21

A Letter from His Best Girl

I could never bring myself to hate you; I had that realization when you missed my 7th birthday. 

And then you missed the years before and after that, along with my recognition ceremonies, first heartbreak, and first everything. And yet, I never once felt the need to convince myself not to hate you, because I never did. In fact, in every important milestone of my life that you weren’t present, my love and respect for you just grew. 

I love you, Daddy! 

I am very blessed to be your daughter. Even miles away, you never failed to make me feel loved. Be it beside me or within my laptop screen, thank you for always being there. Now that I am almost done with college, I cannot wait to spoil you and mommy. 

I will be your living proof that the sacrifices you have made abroad were not in vain. Happy Father’s Day!

Janelle Santiago, 21

A Letter from His Eldest Daughter

Dadad,

Honestly, I don’t know what to write in spite of having many things to say all at once. But I’m sure of this one thing: I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud of the man you have become, of the person you chose to be. 

You’re not perfect, because who is? But I will always look up to you, always appreciate every over time, every freelance job, every pagsundo and paghatid, and everything you had to do and sacrifice to provide for such a big family. 

You’re right, dadad. Not everyone is meant to have a family, not everyone is meant to be a father, but you are. You’re meant to be our Dadad. You’re meant to be right where you are because I don’t think that I’d like the life I could have had if I didn’t have you. 

I will always, loudly, and proudly, say that you’re my dadad. That you’re the man I look up to the most and the man I will always love the most. Thank you for everything dadad. 

I was never your little girl because I was never little, but in my heart, I will always cherish each moment I spent with you because you were always present. Thank you for sacrificing a better life for me, dadad. I’m going to give back someday, I promise. 

I love you, pantakuku!

With love, 

Qiaw-Qiaw

Ashley Kristieanne Ignacio, 21

This Father’s Day, words might not be enough to express gratitude and appreciation fully to fathers, but it is still worth a try to get some sentences out to build a paragraph worth reading by their hearts. 

These four daughters who wrote to their fathers showed that a daughter’s love for the man who set the standards for them and the man who showed them how love is supposed to look is unconditional. It is unconditional enough that their fathers’ love is reflected in the letters they wrote.

It is quite said that a man’s first daughter inherits his favorite part of himself, most often in a more delicate and soft version—that is why they take care of their first daughter meticulously. The precious bond between a father and a daughter is a messy one because it’s not always good nor is it always bad, it’s full of confusion, frustration, and affection. 

But at the end of the day, the connection that their relationship has will always be much stronger than any other forces of life. Because once you’re a dad’s little girl? You will always be your dad’s little girl.

With reports from Ashley Kristieanne Ignacio

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