From Mei Joy (15) :

Dearest Papa Ton,

               An afternoon doing nothing, we would simply sit around the mah jong table and talk about the time when you were younger, like that when you were still a child. You would draw the saint's, play chess, just walk from and to school with your fellow classmates which was a long distance away from your home and at that time, they can't afford to pay for a ride and maybe there wasn't a car then.  They would chat along the road making the trip home enjoyable.  And I couldn't forget how you smile when you would talk about those happy moments in your life.  You also told me when stories about the war when you were a soldier as a part of G1 intelligence department I think.  You would walk in the mountains here in Cebu. You suffered so much at that time because sometimes you would not eat for days and to me seems to be torture. When you were still a radio commentator working for DYLA, you would greet us when it is our birthday or any special occasions. I can even memorize the intro of your program Sungkaan before. You had so many fans then and they would write letters, and cards just to tell you how they like you.  I was still so young then so I don't know what you would comment about in the radio but I know you were very good and I am proud of you.

               Then, you told of the time when Kuya Steve was still a kid.  You went somewhere and came upon a vendor who seemed to have little profit because business was slow.  Kuya Steve said to you that he (Kuya) felt sad because he can see the vendor's sad face.  He asked you to buy something so that the vendor will be happy.  You bought a cigarette lighter and until now, you still have it and I could tell you are proud of your grandson.  You are also proud of every one of us. You don't sleep at night until dawn.  When I asked you why you would tell me so that you can protect me from burglars so that I will be safe while I was asleep.  Then it did work.  I felt a sense of security at night because I always know that you are still awake watching for harmful forces not to come near.  And you must know that it is not good for little ones to not feel secure.  And I think its true.

               Everybody seems to respect you, your talents, intellect, and humor but for me, I see my grandfather, my Papa Ton, whom I'll always remember as someone important to me.  I remember drawing you with only one hair and a mole on your head, a pair of eyeglasses and of course a smile.  When I started playing the piano, you would tape it without telling me.  But I was smart enough to know that there was a recorder on the table and not telling you I know until I caught you red handed one day.  After that you would put it in your cabinet beside the piano while I was playing and then you would tell me that you would record it.  But that's was not at all what you do, you would listen and when I make a mistake, you would know and say I am off-key.  When I forget a part, I would ask you to let me know what key to play.  And you are always right.  But not all is your credit, but to Mama Lucing also, both of you are very supportive of me.

               Now that Papa Ton, Mama Lucing and Auntie Nenette, Kuya Nicnic are the only ones left in the house, it seems quieter now and would just liven up when visitors and houseguests come by.  You are a very proud person.  But have every right to be because you are good in so many things. And yet now that you are older you accept that you are not as active as before and for me, you are now more humble than ever.  And you also had been a good teacher to me like in the arts.  You had taught me little things in drawing and take pride of my drawings and keep them with your works in a big notebook-binder.  You have your paintings and ours hanged on the walls.  And I notice that our family has inherited your talent of creativeness but you are still the most creative of all.  I still remember you would call me and let me help save those cigarette packs and disassemble them so that we can use them as scratch paper.

               I love you Papa Ton, for what you are and all.  As my grandpa, I thank you for all the things that you have given me, advises and of course love.

Love, Mei Joy
 

 From Meiji (27) :
 

Dearest Papa Ton,

            Happy 83rd Birthday!!!

            Not everyone is privileged enough to have known a great man like you. I am very fortunate indeed to be one of the few lucky ones to have you in my life... and as your granddaughter pa! Aside from my parents, you and Mama Lucing have been a major influence in my life... I would not be what I am now without your constant love and guidance through the years. As a father and man of society, you might have been perceived as a hard nut to crack but it only takes a grandchild to melt your heart. I can still remember everybody in the house tip-toeing around during your morning and afternoon siestas, afraid a sound might wake you and earn your wrath... (No wonder as you  sure can roar!... ;) ... ) and here comes Anne and I, jumping on you
asking for "shokolets and mani, Papa Ton... give, please... sige na"... how can you ever resist us?... hehehe. That is true, too. You are the only person I know who thinks I have the potential to become a singer someday (Indeed, that is one of my many frustrations!) and the tapes are there to prove it! I still remember the afternoons where you taped Anne and I singing our nursery songs and reciting those rhymes, even our conversations.  I have wonderful childhood memories thanks, in part, to you.  I have a lot to thank you for, Papa Ton... Foremost, thank you for simply being there for me... for being my lolo... I learned a lot from you. Of all the things you taught me, the love for reading, to thirst for knowledge, is the one thing I appreciate the most. You were the one who taught me never ever to stop learning... that one does not have to go to far-flung places to know about life... that the best adventures can be found in the pages of a book. Though nothing could beat the real thing, knowing about it before living it can make a difference.  For your 83rd birthday, I wish you many more birthdays to come... may God bless you with good health always.  I love you, Papa Ton!

Meiji

From Karen (15) :

              I look up unto him as an inspiration. He encouraged me to do things w/c  I thought I could never do. He is someone who I can turn to. He is indeed a wise man, someone who thinks before he acts, someone with so much sense. He always seem to talk with wisdom and knowledge. Throughout his years, I know he tried living his life fully and i believe he is now a fulfilled man because he had achieved many things a loving and caring person who always tries to walk in the right path and look at the right way. He overcomed his obstacles in life with God the Father in his side. He is a man of his words. He is a typical person who has his doors open for everybody in the wrong direction. He is truly a gift of happiness and wisdom. He served as an inspiration to all. He is always present in times of challenge, failure and frustrations to comfort you in all the pain, loss and confusion. He is my "Papa Ton", my grandpa, my friend, and most of all, he is a blessing given by God and I Love Him.
 

Fron Steve (20)

            Dear Papa Ton

            Happy Bday. I wish i could be there so we could celebrate your birthday. Take care always. I love you and miss you.

            Love,
                    Steve
 
 

 
From Kamille (9) :

Dear Papa Ton,
 
            Hello! It's me Kamille. How are you feeling?  I am feeling fine. You know, Filipino's a little bit hard (Filipino Subject). But anyway, my math subject is very easy. By the way, I'm sorry cant' go there on your birthday and perform a b-day program for you. How is Mama Lucing? I think she is fine. Papa Ton, I saw you in TV... in channel SNN (Sarimanok Channel). It's about something like a Senior Citizen. Cool huh? Boy you look good there! But you look better in person. Well, Happy Birthday! I miss you! God Bless You! I Love You!
 
                                                                    Love,        Kamille

From Angela (9) :
 
Dear Papa Ton,
 
            Hi!     How are you? I hope you are fine. Well, I saw you in T.V. talking about Senior Citizens. You looked great there but you look greater in person! So I would like to say:
            Happy Birthday and  May you have more B-days to come!
 
Love,     Angela

PS:  regards and I  love & miss you, and everyone!

From Kristine (20) :

            I am so richly blessed to have a  wonderful grandfather. You definitely lived up to the expectation of just how much great grandfathers should be. You taught me how to appreciate art - and even had me love it, too. I have also treasured  those times when we answer the crossword puzzles together when I'm in Cebu. I learned a lot of things listening to your stories and I'm in awe at just how one can lead such an exciting life. There was this one time that you told me that you were the "richest man alive" because you have everyone you love with you and that you  are also loved in return, you may not know it then, but you just planted in me a wisdom  far greater than all the money in the world that the best things in life are actually free..... a walk in the beach, listening to the trees and birds, staring above the starry night, and being with the people you love are just some of it.

            You may have been many things in your life ----- a soldier, an artist, a lawyer, a newscaster, a radio announcer.....but being our grandfather is definitely your forte!
 
            To the person who I admire the most..... Papa Ton, Happy Birthday!
 

From Paulo (16) :

Dearest PaPa Ton,
 

            You have been such a model of wisdom and discipline to us and we are truly honored to be the grandchidren of such an outstanding man so on your special day, I truly wish you all the happiness in life.
            HAPPY BIRTHDAY,GOD BLESS
 

PAULO
 
 
 

From Mario and Myrna:

Dearest Papa,

            Wishing you a very Happy Burthday We both hope that we could spend it with you, but though we are far apart in distance, you are always close at heart.

Love,
    Mario and Myrna