He’s our strong foundation of our family. A loving father not only to his children but to his grandchildren as well. He’s always there to provide financial needs, support and gives positive advices to each and everyone of us.

He also served as a soldier when he was younger, who had once risked his life to serve and protect the country. He is a hero not only to his homeland but to his family as well.

I remember when I was a kid; I used to stay in their home at San Mateo, Rizal. He used to work in Rustan’s and he always brings something for us whenever he gets home from work. He may be strict but I know it’s because he wanted to mold us to become a better individual.

When I checked my phone, I had multiple missed calls from unknown number. Since I changed my digits (for the nth time), I wasn’t able to know who made that urgent call around 3:50 am. The sms I got from the same number was, “Bernice sagutin mo tawag ko asap.”

While walking on my way home, I smelled a scent of a flower on the sidewalk and then I had an instinct. I was right when I got home, my mom was busy talking with my uncle in the States and she told me that my grandfather died around 4am today. When I first heard it, I wasn’t able to absorb it completely since my body wants to lie down on my bed and hit the sack.

After 10 long hours of sleep, I woke up and decided to be online to check everything. I saw most of the status of my cousins and I checked the pictures we had in Christmas on the year of 2009 and 2010. Tears fell on my cheeks when I saw Tatay’s picture in the hospital. He can still find the strength to pose and smile a lot in front of the camera even is he’s sick and tired of the medicines he usually take in the past weeks. I know that he’s trying his best to fight and survive to stay with us. However, I guess his time finally had come.

My grandfather, Dominador Ocampo Elicay died around 4am on February 17, 2010.

I’m sorry if I wasn’t there in the hospital to pay a visit for you when you were sick but I know that you’d understand my reason why. Thank you for being a cool and the best grandfather I had in my life. Please tell my other grandfather as well that I miss him as well when you get to see him, okay?

It’s an honor for me to be part of the Elicay family. Against all odds, our family remained strong and intact. No words can express whatever I have in my heart right now. I love you and I’m sure going we will be missing your presence especially on our annual Christmas reunion.

May you rest in peace. See you soon Tatay!!

Christmas 2008

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