Ang kaarawan ay maituturing na isang biyaya mula sa Maykapal sa buhay na kaniyang ipinagkaloob sa atin. Ngunit, higit ang ating kaligayahan kapag ang ating mga mahal na anak ang nagdiwang ng kanilang kaarawan. Dahil bilang magulang ang tanging nais natin para sa kanila ay magkaroon ng malusog na pangangatawan, magkaroon ng maayos na buhay at maging mabuting tao. Ipinapakita at pinaparamdam rin natin ang ating pagmamahal sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalaga at pagbibigay katuparan sa kanilang mga kahilingan.
Noong nakaraang Abril 16 nga, nagdiwang ng kaarawan ang bunsong anak nina Dingdong Dantes at Marian Rivera na si Sixto ng 1st Birthday. Upang iparamdam ng amang si Dingdong ang pagmamahal sa anak, nagbigay siya ng nakakaantig na mensahe para sa kaniyang bunsong anak sa Instagram. Ipinahayag ng aktor ang kaniyang nararamdamang pangamba at paghahangad ng pag-asa para sa kaniyang anak ngayong panahon ng quarantine. Maliban dito inamin rin ni Dingdong na ang kaniyang mga anak ang nagbibigay sa kaniya ng lakas ng loob upang gumawa ng kabutihan sa mundo.
“Dear son,
It is day 33 for us here on lockdown and day 365 for you on Earth. Normally, we would gather all our relatives and friends to celebrate this special day with you, just like how your mother and I had done it when we reached the same milestone. Though as toddlers, we never really remembered anything— thanks to the pictures that reminded us how we are loved by the people around us.”
Isinaad naman ng aktor na ngayong panahon ng quarantine ay tanging miyembro ng kanilang pamilya lamang muna ang magkakasama upang ipagdiwang ang kaarawan nito, ngunit kaniya namang ipinaalala kay Sixto na marami pa rin ang nagmamahal rito at magpapaabot ng regalo para sa kaarawan nito.
“But today, it’s just going to be us, Buddy— You, me, your Mother, your Ate Z, Ate Cecile, Ate Glenda, and Kuya Emerson. But please know that there are many people like your cousins, grandparents, godparents and relatives who wish to see you and be with you today, probably to give a gift, a cake, or a simple tight warm hug. But not now…maybe when this is all over. When? I really don’t know, son.”
Ipinahayag naman ni Dingdong ang kaniyang pangamba at pag-alala para sa kaniyang mga anak sa nangyayari ngayon, ngunit ayon kay Dingdong bilang magulang ay handa silang gabayan at alagaan ang kanilang mga anak. At ang kaniyang mga anak rin umano ang nagbibigay sa kaniya ng lakas ng loob upang magpatuloy sa buhay at maging mabuting tao.
“To be honest with you, I fear the day that you would be marching towards this new world, this new normal, that we had created for your generation. What’s happening now is a clear manifestation of our actions and inactions— and we are reaping its effects which could benefit a few, but for most…just hard learnings about humanity, the planet and spirituality. But I guess as parents, that’s what we are here for. We are here to prepare you for that jungle out there. Though there is fear, it is also you (and your sister) who give me courage to carry on and strive to make this world a sustainable place to live in. You give me the drive to make me want to be a better version of myself.”
“And so, in as much as it should be you who should receive gifts, please know that you are the gift for us— a living reminder that we should get our acts together and ensure that when the time comes, you can freely walk the streets, breathe all the air that you want, play ball with your friends even at close distance, ride a bike, and return the hug to all your well-wishers today.”
“This picture will always be my reminder that in times of fear and uncertainty, i had found hope—through you.
Happy first birthday, Sixto.
Love,
Dad”
“PS. I hope you like your haircut. Don’t worry when the time comes, you can cut mine too! “