Sonny Angara Pens Heartfelt Father's Day Message for His 'Papa'

When Senator Edgardo Angara passed away at age 83 on May 13, 2018, he left behind his wife Gloria and their children Anna, Sonny, Alex, and Katya.

Of the four, it is the Senator's only son, Juan Edgardo, or Sonny, who has followed in his father's footsteps in the political world and is now an incumbent Senator in the Philippines. 

Senator Sonny Angara has always expressed his admiration for his dad, who served the Senate for 23 years, one of the longest-serving senators of the country. The older Angara authored numerous laws such as the Senior Citizens' Act, the Free High School Act, and the National Health Insurance Act, which paved the way for the creation of Philhealth. An accomplished lawmaker, he was also described as a caring father and doting grandfather to his apos by the people who knew him best — his family members. 

As Father's Day approaches, Senator Sonny indulged SmartParenting.com.ph when asked to write a letter for his late father. Here is his letter in full. 

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Pa/Dad, 

This will be the first Father’s Day we will celebrate without you. To say that we all miss you would be an understatement because frankly, you were everything to us.

You were our provider, giving us everything we needed, especially the most important gift of all: a good education.

IMAGE sonnyangara/Instagram

You were not only our greatest supporter but also our biggest critic, who held us to the same high standards you set for yourself.

You may have been tough on us at times, but it was never without reason, never without care, never without a desire to see us excel, to see us succeed, to see us become the best that we can be.

IMAGE sonnyangara/Instagram

The dreams you had for us were the same dreams you had for the country. That’s why you worked hard so that every child could go to high school, every family member would be cared for when sick, and every senior citizen won’t have a burden that’s too heavy to bear.

Millions have you to thank for many improvements in their lives. The country is only grateful for the invaluable service you’ve offered.

But while you held the nation’s hand through truly trying times, I will always remember how you held my hand when I was a child.

IMAGE sonnyangara/Instagram

IMAGE sonnyangara/Instagram

Many know you as a lawyer, university president, an agriculturist and farmer, a banker, legislator and diplomat. But to me, the best role you’ve ever played was to be my father.

IMAGE sonnyangara/Instagram

My only hope is to be as great a father to Manolo, Ines and Javier as you were to me.

IMAGE tootsyangara/Instagram

I love you, Papa! You will always be in my heart.

Sonny

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