Missing Dada!

“The feeling is mutual,

My dear Baby Duane “

My daughter, Dr. Maria Krista Piñol-Solis, sent me these touching photos of her son, Duane, my only grandchild, caressing my image as it appeared on a TV set during an interview with Henry Uri of DZRH.

Showing his longing for his grandfather’s embrace, Baby Duane hugged the TV set as he mumbled “Dada.”

I felt a lump in my throat when I saw these pictures.

A few months ago, he cried when he saw my image on the TV screen and begged his mother to let him get inside the TV set.

These photos of a young child showing how he misses somebody he loves remind me of my two daughters – Ma. Krista and Josa Bernadette, now both doctors – and my son, Imman who virtually grew up without seeing their father very often as I served as Mayor and later Governor.

I missed a lot of their happy moments as children and I wish I could turn back the hands of time.

These are the sacrifices and pain a public servant has to suffer as he performs his task of serving the people.

With Baby Duane, he may have to bear his longing for the embrace of his Grandfather for another three years and a half.

By 2022, when he would be eight and I would be done with my task now, I would certainly have more time with him.

I miss you too Baby Duane.