There’s this song that always and never fails to make my eyes go misty.

This song was played during my father’s wake at Davao Memorial Park and the renowned tenor no is other than “Josh Groban” entitled  “You Raised Me Up.”

Dr. Anthony P. Principe, MD. MPH.

I remember giving this John Groban CD as Christmas gift my sister (next to me) who’s proudly now a lawyer, brother now finished college (next to lawyer) – now enjoys playing pc games, youngest sister (next to brother) now a nurse – working abroad.

I’ve been longing to say this before my father passed away:

I could not be here now from where I’m standing, if it weren’t from you – I’ll be somewhere else starving, no place to stay, no education, no shelter to cover my head, no clothes to cover me.

When I was a kid I kept on praying that someday I’ll see you and that prayer was answered.

You remembered me back then when I was in Cebu and you took me to your arms and welcomed me to our new home – a bed I can sleep, food on table to feed an empty stomach and nothing else.

It’s pretty normal (some find it disturbing – dysfunctional) to grow up in a family with ups and downs, disappointments, trials, heartaches – especially if you’re from the “outside” I felt alienated, it’s different having a family of your own flesh and blood, siblings of your own. It’s like having a fifty-fifty 50/50 share when you can have is instead a hundred 100, It’s good being one whole.

Years had passed these unfortunate events that had happened to me has just made me grow stronger, and from that on – I finished college and later found a stable job.

Things came to an end and we settled our differences – I still visit my mom at the house and spend Christmas and new year with her of course I’ll never forget my brothers and sisters.

Wherever you are my beloved father Anthony P. Principe, MD. MPH I know you are well taken care of in the hands of our Almighty Father we’ll all love you as always.