Danvee Dy

Husband to Ma-am and father to Gabriel, 8 years old, and Danna Margaret, 2 years old

"On my wife's 2nd pregnancy, she had false labor so we were sent home from the hospital, but instead we went malling and watched Transformers. While my son and I were enjoying the film, my wife was already in tears keeping her pain to herself as she didn't want to spoil our fun. Back in the hospital they finally admitted her. When the doctor was about to deliver the baby, I was ready with my camera, but then suddenly the baby's heartbeat stopped and they needed to do an emergency C-Section on my wife. She had Abruptio Placenta, which is a life-threatening condition. The scenes that followed made my knees weak; I was so nervous seeing my wife undergo the operation. When finally the Doctor called me to take pictures, it was like my hands were moving by themselves because my mind was on my baby daughter. I was so relieved when I heard her first cry that I could not contain my tears."

Atty. Martin Ortiz

Husband to Frances and father to Kilio Cximara, 1 year old

"It was both my wife’s and my idea that I be with her during her delivery. Though I wasn't allowed in the labor room, the doctor said that it was her practice to let daddies be with the mommies during the delivery. I might even get the chance to cut the umbilical cord and this made me excited even more. She labored for more than 24 hours and I couldn’t sleep or leave the room, afraid that I might miss 'the' moment. When they finally called me into the delivery room, excitement and fear dawned on me. I was excited to see my baby but I also feared the unexpected. I feared for my wife’s health, and whether she could go through the whole ordeal safely. I feared that something bad might happen to our baby. 

When I heard our doctor say that our baby was out and I heard her gasping for breath and make tiny crying sounds, I knew everything would be well. I cannot remember a time in my life when I felt this happy. Fortunately all the excitement, fear, and happiness did not get the best of me and make me go into a tailspin and faint. I would never have forgiven myself if I missed a second of it. This baby is my flesh and blood and I could proudly say that I was there when she was ushered into this world. Not many fathers could lay the same claim."