This was written by my very articulate sister Rona Banes as a tribute to our father who passed away last April 9, 2008 after being bedridden for four long years due to Parkinson's Disease.
It is a difficult task to gather up all the memories and pick only a few to illustrate the life of Dr. Ricardo G. Santos a.k.a Daddy, Lolo, Tito Carding, Doc Carding, Doc Puto. But here are the roles I remembered Daddy playing while I was growing up:
DOCTOR: Kung merong OFW, Daddy was a DFW (Domestic Filipino Worker). In the 70s and early 80s, he braved the highways from San Agustin, Isabela (where he used to have his practice) to come home to us here in Marikina until the political situation at that time became too sticky for an impartial doctor such as he was. For Daddy made no distinction either between rich and poor patients or between government and rebel soldiers. He was devoted to his profession. Gagamutin niya kahit sino, may pambayad man o wala (basta clinic hours! pero pag-emergency bangon siya!).
MR. FIX-IT/HANDYMAN: Daddy loved tinkering with machines and had a talent for repairing them. Magaling siyang magmekaniko ng kanyang Beetle. Magaling din siyang tubero. TVs, electric fans, anything under sun, he would study how things work and figured out how to bring life back into them. Walang kasangkapang naitatapon noon at malamang di kikita sa amin ang Love Electronics :)
TENNIS PLAYER: Growing up, I remember summer mornings tagging along and going with Daddy to the tennis court (be it sa Sumulong, sa Sports Center or sa Marikina Transit). I always looked forward to these times even though all I ever did was sit in the shade, drink my Coke and be thankful that I was not the one hitting the ball under the blazing sun. Almost everyone in the family took to the sport especially Kuya Ricco but not me, payatot kasi at lampa…the lightest tennis racket was still too heavy for my gangly arms. I was always proud of Daddy and his fluid movements in the court: it was like a dance when he executed his backhands, forehands and smashes. And it was also good to know that he could beat the hell out of his tennis buddies at his prime.
FRIEND: Daddy had a way with people. At first encounter, you’d think he was masungit but in reality he had an easy smile, loved to tell jokes and gave good advice to those who asked him for it. As a doctor, he was a friend to his patients, someone they could come to for help and medical advice without fear of being patronized and looked down upon. He was a tolerant and open-minded man but he had no patience with hypocrites: ayaw niya ng plastic. Kay Daddy, dapat magpakatotoo ka.
UNCLE: I received a text message from one of my cousins, Gerry, last Wednesday when Daddy passed away. He said that he will treasure those moments he had with my dad when he was still in the clinic and the times he had a chance to talk with Daddy in our house. Masarap kasing kausap si Daddy. Masarap kakwentuhan.
LOLO: As a lolo, he will be sorely missed by his grandchildren: Ponch, Micah, Liann, Ruann, Adriel, Misha and even 3-month old Sofia. Sabi nga namin ang yaman niya sa apo. And true to Daddy’s signature dry wit and humor, which he kept to the end: when Ate Ruby would ask him, “Daddy bakit ang gagwapo at ang gaganda ng mga apo mo?” He would reply without hesitation, “Bakit gwapo naman ako ah!”
FATHER: As a father I used to fear his wrath when I was still an innocent youngster but growing up I think I became one of his (and mama’s) biggest headaches. I was the proverbial black sheep of the family, the prodigal daughter, sutil kasi. But seriously, he was a wonderful father. Mama and Daddy made a lot of sacrifices so they could provide us, their children, with a stable home and a good education – the best legacy a parent could ever give to his/her child. Sa awa ng Diyos, walang naging PAL (palamunin) sa amin. The most memorable advice Daddy had given me that made me the nightmare of my former employers was: “If you’re not happy with what you’re doing, resign!” Not that he wanted me to give up easily but he knew the importance of finding one’s place under the sun by doing what one loves/enjoys doing because it is in this manner that we can reach our full potential and a shot at happiness. Just think of the consequences if he had forbidden me to study European Languages in UP, I would not have become a French teacher. Then I would not have taught French at Alliance Francaise and thus I would not have met my husband, Xavier, thus walang Misha and Sofia! Sayang di ba?
HUSBAND: Last but not least was one of his most important roles: that of a husband to Mama, to Coring. 49 years of marriage is a long time to be married. I admire my parents because they never lost the “spark”, that “lovin’ feelin”. Of course, through the years, nandyan yung tampuhan, samaan ng loob, nagtatalikuran sa kama, bigla na lang magshoshopping therapy si mama. That’s understandable. Marriage is a lot of hard work. Pero nakakatuwa sila kasi sweet sila kahit habang nagsisipilyo, nag-kakalabitan, they loved teasing each other and there was always a twinkle in their eyes. Daddy and Mama were a true example of the devotion a husband and a wife can bestow to each other. With this in mind, I would like to commend mama for taking care of Daddy 24/7 not just in the last 3-4 years of his life when he was beset by illness but since the day they got married 49 years ago.
It is hard to sum up in a few minutes a life that spanned 79 years. I would thus just like to thank Daddy for who he was in the many roles he played because he together with Mama gave us, his children: Ricco, Ruby, Ruth and myself, the love and direction we needed to become who and what we are today. Hopefully, we can pass on this legacy to the grandchildren. Oh and Daddy, where ever you are, don’t worry aalagaan namin si Mama.
