These were the last written letters I have received from my dad when we went home last year during his stay at the V. Luna Hospital (February 16, 2010). I have this note in  my pass case inside my purse and I take it with me everywhere I go.  It is an honor to be loved so dearly by your father, no matter what his flaws are. 

Dad was passionate about sports.  When we were younger, I know that he took judo and karate lessons. He also enjoyed playing tennis, pingpong, swimming and he lifted weights and was into body building.Then one of his friends invited him to take TKD classes and he got hooked and went all the way to get his 2nd Dan ( 2nd degree blackbelt).  He was already in his late thirtees at that time. He encouraged us, all his kids to take TKD lessons too.  Among all six children I was the laziest and most stubborn.  I never understood why I needed to do this.  But, my dad never gave up on me despite my teenage moods and angst.  After 3 years of training I was able to get my blackbelt.  Thanks to my dad who believed I could do it when I almost gave up.  Today, I am encouraging my own children to enjoy the sport and I am also teaching part time here in New  York.  Had it not been for my Dad, I would never know how uplifting and wonderful this sport is.  Thank you Daddy for not giving up on me. ( Thank you so much to Mr. Joel Lacsamana who made this newspaper article possible, dad never stopped talking about you during your TBB days.)