'Hindi Mapapagod' Shows A Dad's Dedication As A Provider, Partner

Last March 2024, we asked readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of parenthood. Out of thousands of entries, 50 best fatherhood moments were selected and announced on Father’s Day. This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100 photo contest.

As the world sees men, they must be strong and masculine. It’s an unspoken societal norm that men are not men if they express emotions and show their weaknesses. Men needed to embody an image created by generations after generations—that we almost forget men are allowed to be vulnerable and soft, too.

As men become fathers, they transform into ‘softer’ and more gentle versions of themselves, without care about society’s image of being a man. They tear up and cry as soon as they see their newborn baby, as soon as they know that there are two lines on the pregnancy test.

In a man’s journey into fatherhood, he discovers sides of himself he didn’t know about—his endless love for his wife and child, his unwavering dedication to providing for them, and his deep and strong sense of protection for them.

Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100 showcased special moments of fathers, often untold and unnoticed.

A winning photo under the category Dedication of this year's photo contest shows a different image of a man—a photo of a loving and dedicated father.

Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 Winner: Hindi Mapapagod

“Hindi Mapapagod,” a photo captured by Mommy Paulee Mari Dagandan, shows a quite comical yet heartwarming daddy-baby moment.

^{"Hindi Mapapagod" by Paulee Mari Dagandan is among the winners of the Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 photo contest.}

The father in the photo, John Patrick Balanay, took to heart the all-time favorite parenting advice, “sleep when the baby sleeps.” It is quite ironic as Daddy John Patrick is covered with tattoos on his upper body, as society stereotypes tattooed men as ‘siga.’

But in the photo, he is wearing a funny-looking headband with two big googly eyes on it. He probably decided to wear it even if it was ‘unmanly’ because it would make his newborn baby comfortable with him. We can imagine him talking to his baby in a sing-song voice while the googly eyes bob up and down, the baby looking intently.

An ode to a dad's dedication

Newborn babies are almost always clingy to mothers, so effort from other caregivers is a must. Daddy John Patrick won over his baby’s attention and even made the baby sleep on his lap. As the baby fell asleep, he drew a sigh of relief, felt rested, and slept as well.

"Kapag lumaki yung baby namin, ipapakita ko sa kanya kung gaano ka-dedicated ang tatay niya."  —Paulee Marie Dagandan

“Siya na lagi pa rin kaming inaalalayan, siya na lagi pa rin kaming inaasikaso kahit pagod na rin siya sa trabaho,” Mommy Paulee described the photo she submitted.

Mommy Paulee told Smart Parenting the story behind the photo, “Ito po yung time na halos wala akong tulog, and right after niya umuwi, naglinis lang siya ng katawan at inalagaan na si baby kahit super pagod rin siya sa trabaho para makaligo ako at mag-ayos ng sarili. Hindi siya mapapagod para mag-alaga para sa amin.”

She continued, “Nung time na ‘to, papasok na ko sa kwarto pero nakita ko sya, inaantok na at papikit-pikit na, kaya nagpicture ako habang nagtatago sa pintuan namin. Sabi ko sa isip ko, kapag lumaki yung baby namin, ipapakita ko sa kanya kung gaano ka-dedicated ang tatay niya na tulungan ako sa pag-aalaga noong newborn pa siya.”

Behind the comical photo of Daddy John Paul is the dedicated love of a father.

A father who is willing to take over some of the newborn chores so Mommy can take a few minutes for herself. It means the world to a mom, even if for just a few minutes.

A father who doesn’t hesitate to exert effort to make his baby sleep, even though he is tired from working all day.

“Malaki ang parte ng isang ama sa pagpapalaki ng anak. Malaking bagay ang tulungan tayo, at alalayan tayo ng mga partner/asawa natin sa araw araw. Sa panahon ngayon, iilan na lang ang mga lalaking hands-on lalo sa pag-aalaga ng bata. Usually trabaho lang inaatupag nila. Hindi ko nilalahat, pero base sa mga kakilala ko halos karamihan eh ganito po,” Mommy Paulee added.

A father who works hard to provide for his whole family and also chooses to be present in the house mentally and emotionally.

A father who does not think if he’s manly enough but only thinks of his family’s well-being.

A father who gives his all and dedicates his time and love to his family.

“Communication ang kailangan natin para maipaintindi sa mga partner natin na kailangan natin sila. Kailangan natin ang alalay nila sa kahit anong gawain at syempre ang presence nila. At ipinagpapasalamat ko sa Diyos na binigyan Niya ako ng partner sa buhay na hindi ako pababayaan,” Mommy Paulee shared the secret behind their relationship.

She also added, “Sa totoo lang, may mga oras na pagod na pagod na ko sa ginagawa ko, iniiyak ko nalang, gigising siya kukuhanin nya yung baby namin at patatahanin ako. Minsan iniiyak ko sa kanya yung pagod ko, yung umiikot sa utak ko, yung problema ko. Ang sarap na may partner tayong pwede nating iyakan at labasan ng problema. Kaya sa mga parents, communication po ang pinaka-importante sa pagsasama.

Truly, a father’s dedication is unparalleled.

Here’s another rare moment of fatherhood captured in a photo.