A beautiful story of a father’s love

Posted on July 17, 2008
Filed Under Faith and Spirituality, Friends, LIFE, Parenting and Family | Viewed 1091 times

On 5 July, Sunday, Paulynn Chang walked down the aisle to wed her beloved Paul Afable. All throughout the emotional affair, Paulynn’s father, Paul Chang (whom I fondly called Mang Paul) was sorely missed. He passed away on 19 October 2006, more than 1-1/2 years ago.

The highlight of the dinner reception was the reading of Mang Paul’s letter for Paulynn, by her mother, Jessieline. It was a letter written 10 days before he passed away, to be opened and read on Paulynn’s wedding day. Jessieline has given me permission to post Mang Paul’s letter in full, to share with you, dear Readers a letter so full of love, a love beyond death.

October 9, 2006 7:00 p.m.

My dearest Paulynn,

You have to be the most beautiful bride in this world. My beautiful daughter; Paul’s beautiful bride.

I had wanted to be here as you know. I AM HERE in soul and spirit. I watch you brimming with pride. So proud of you, Paulynn.

And I will be with you and Paul beyond this wedding day. For your family, your children. Grandpa will play with them. Grandpa will watch over all of you.

Dream your dreams; reach for your dreams; only then will you find them. Wish you the most beautiful wedding today.

No regrets Paulynn, no regrets. I have nothing to forgive you. I just love you. Get on with your life. The best is yet to be.

Yes, I could also have been more demonstrative of my love for you guys. But we were given a 2nd chance. That’s plenty. Thanks for showing.

Now, let us celebrate life! The circle of life – it goes on. Taste every moment of it! Nature, people, family, friends. Celebrate!

God bless you. God loves each one of you. I join Him and Mama Mary in blessing you. I love you so dearly.

Dad

.
As I read and reread the letter, and watched the video, I could not contain my tears missing a dear friend and colleague, and most of all, feeling as a parent the depth and meaning of his words.

Evidently, Mang Paul was present, looking down lovingly at his family, beaming with pride for Paulynn from heaven above.

View the beautifully taken video by Jason Magbanua, a very talented videographer here.

Read more about Mang Paul’s accomplishments here, when he was accorded the 2006 Natatanging Bosconian Award, and how he was diagnosed of stage 4 cancer three months after retirement, despite being a non-smoker and religiously attending to his annual medical check ups and chest x-rays. While battling cancer, he spent his time bringing friends and relations closer together, and in his own quiet, unassuming ways tried to bring hope and good cheer to those who needed it. I mentioned about Mang Paul’s illness and misdiagnosis here in February last year. He was the one who advised us to “take charge of your health”.

As I finish writing this post, I reminisce how eight years ago, I accompanied Mang Paul to “commune with his ancestors” at the Great Wall of China. He was in transit in Beijing on his way to Mongolia, while I was in Beijing for a special assignment. Without notice and a spur of the moment decision, we took a bus and headed for the Great Wall, scaled its heights as far as we could, and just savored the peace and quiet of the star-filled sky and moonless night. It was such a beautiful sight to behold. It seemed like we had that part of the Great Wall all to ourselves. He said it might have been his only chance to visit the Great Wall because of his ever busy and hectic schedule. How could I not relent to a good friend’s wish?

At that time it was at the Great Wall of China, the closest it was to the sky. When he was alive, he would always say, “Celebrate life… I celebrate life each day”. Now it is in heaven, the closest it is to the Almighty. Now Mang Paul celebrates eternal life.

Comments

29 Responses to “A beautiful story of a father’s love”

lady cess on July 17th, 2008 9:14 am

beautiful!this is so touching. i got goosebumps!
TONY JOAQUIN on July 17th, 2008 11:53 am

A gem of a message…and so uplifting and timely.
I feel for the bride and congratulate her for having been the object of this quality of love by a dearly beloved and loving father.

Many thanks Dine…I do feel for her and you too.

I know.

I too am a father.

Tony
Mitch on July 17th, 2008 1:37 pm

Kinilabutan ako just by watching the video. I could feel the love that they have for each other especially nung naglakad siya sa aisle.

I’m sure Mr. Change is the most happiest father seeing her daughter in good hands. Paul seems to be a loving husband, I could make out the way he wiped his tears watching her bride….

Parang gusto ko ulit pakasal haha!
hailey on July 17th, 2008 1:42 pm

suddenly, i miss my papa. he died 15 years ago. a father’s love is immeasurable, indeed. nice.
annamanila on July 17th, 2008 2:23 pm

This is truly beautiful and touching Dine. A lovely story, well told I am glad I clicked on the link.

It’s message is one never actually dies. Love especially.

A secondary message: we sometimes hurt people we love but the love endures.

The source of our most exquisite happiness is also the source of our most excruciating pain. Figures, ha?

Bravo for this post. Cheers to Mang Paul, Pauline, and her young Paul.

I will try to browse more on Mang Paul.
Cookie on July 17th, 2008 4:08 pm

Ok, this is hitting too close to home. Same name (I’m Pauline) and my Dad died 2 years ago of cancer after a 1 and a half years of quitting cigarettes. I too had some heart to heart talks with him prior to his death and like Mang Paul, he somehow was able to bring the family together during his battle.

Beautiful story. Nothing compares to a father’s love..nothing.
Ruby on July 17th, 2008 4:50 pm

Hi Dine!

Hope you are having great time with your family and friends. I can see how nicely you are enjoying your life after retirement. May our loving GOD bless you and your family abundantly.

Thanks for sharing this touching story. How wonderful the letter is! I don’t remember Mr. Paul Chang’s face but definitely remember his name.

Take care and have a good day.
Vic Porci on July 17th, 2008 6:56 pm

That was a very beautiful story.

Could not help but cry, then smile !

How is Monica?

Say hello to her.

Vic Porci
lisaflor on July 17th, 2008 8:13 pm

Super! I will share this post ha. I remember what one of my acquaintances told me when we took pictures… “Ayan, picture picture, let’s make memories…”

Memories… priceless.
ApplesH on July 17th, 2008 9:02 pm

Hi Dine! Small world as Paulynn is a schoolmate of mine (I am a year older). Thanks for sharing!
Mari on July 18th, 2008 1:01 am

A very touching letter by a father’s undying love for his daughter.

Thanks for sharing.
raqgold on July 18th, 2008 2:19 am

love never dies indeed.
Marita on July 18th, 2008 2:45 am

ano ba yan … naiyak ako … ang ganda ng pagka gawa ng video…
Jimmy on July 18th, 2008 2:47 am

The story touched me. Regards – jimmy
Princess on July 18th, 2008 6:37 am

Thanks, Dine, for sharing this very endearing message of a father to his beloved daughter bride. I am sure there was not a dry eye in the audience.
I am heading to the video and your other blog.
I need my box of tissue.
Regards to you and yours.
maripe juliano on July 18th, 2008 10:09 am

Dine nakakaiyak naman… Paul Chang has always been approachable and accommodating in the office… a good man and yes I agree with him … let us celebrate each moment by always being loving to others. God bless
Kyels on July 18th, 2008 10:12 am

The letter is so touching … Tears welled up in my eyes when I was reading it. He’s right, we ought to celebrate life and live it to the fullest, di ba?

[:
Jing Zhong on July 18th, 2008 4:24 pm

Thanks so much for sharing this story. It’s so touching and I couldn’t hold
my tears.

I have wondered this for some time: why it’s always good people who contract cancer? Maybe because they keep the sadness only to themselves and present all the joys/grace to others…

Anyway, what an excellent writer you are now! Congrats!

Take care and keep in touch,
vanidosa on July 18th, 2008 9:49 pm

Oh my, it’s so touching.
brVince on July 18th, 2008 10:58 pm

that’s it…. mom, i still miss my father, too: something i missed when he was still alive? friendship…
analyse on July 19th, 2008 12:52 am

the video’s full of emotions. thanks for sharing the link.
jun asis on July 20th, 2008 10:23 am

i didn’t know Mr. Chang personally but when his name is mentioned in the Bosconian Community, it is always with awe and respect.

A true Bosconian and a loving father.
vk on July 22nd, 2008 2:33 am

nakaiyak naman ang letter nya….

what a loving father.

thanks for sharing
ysrael on July 23rd, 2008 2:18 pm

Wow, that was a touching message from a father. I posted a memoirs of my father last july 12 it was a different story, hope you can read it too.
Anna, said that you are also played on-line scrabble. If you have time we have a scrabble touney on Saturday, July 26 at the Atrium of Ever Gotesco, Ortigas from 10:00 to 6:00 pm sana if you can drop by or much better join the tournament.
Nice Blog site promise to visit here often marami pa akong gustong basahin sa mga post.
Moti on July 23rd, 2008 8:09 pm

Many thanks for your communication and sharing Paul’s letter. Paul was a great human being,adepedable friend.a respectable professional,a responsible family man.I have very high regard for him.I pray the almighty “GOD”bless the soul with peace and his family with strength to face this heavy loss. Staff Council should make arrangement to share such information with retirees so as to enable them to communicate with families.
Gudrun on July 23rd, 2008 8:11 pm

very touching
Bles on July 23rd, 2008 8:14 pm

Just read it this morning. Parang kelan lang yung pagkamatay ni Mr. Chang, almost 2 years na rin pala.
aMgiNe on July 23rd, 2008 9:19 pm

naiyak ako. very touching. and this reminded me that i need to be more loving to my dad, now that we still have him.

thanks for sharing.
Jason Magbanua’s Weddings–Breathe of Fresh Air : The D Spot on August 1st, 2008 8:53 am

[...] I have always watched his wonderful videos. And they never failed to amaze me. One of them was the wedding of Paulynn Chang and Paul Afable, that brought tears to our [...]