“Mother, why is father absent this Christmas?

”
(An Open Letter from CG, PA)
This is a letter from the Commanding General of the Philippine Army for the children of soldiers to explain why their father are usually absent in
important family occasions. The original Pilipino transcript entitled “Nay, bakit wala si tatay ngayong Pasko?” was required to be published and
circulated widely last December 2008. This English translation was made by Colonel Benito de Leon.

FOR YOU,
Perhaps, you may be surprised why I have taken the occasion to write you. There are many
things I want to tell you and this is the appropriate time to let you know all of these. As the leader
of a big organization, I bear on my shoulders the great responsibility to ensure the
accomplishment of the mission of the Philippine Army, which I am proud to say to you, that is
where your father belongs.
I know that you love your father very much. He is your hero, isn’t he? Someday, you may also
want to be like him. It is rare to have a soldier as a father. He is not like other fathers who can
come home daily. There are many occasions that he cannot be present and be by your side. Aside
from this, there are times that he even gets assigned to a distant post where it will count days and
months before you get to see him again. Under these circumstances, he will not be around to be
with you in many important occasions of your life such as on your “birthday,” “graduation,” and
“Christmas.” I know that in your tender age, you will find this difficult to understand because the
profession of a soldier is quite unique.
This is why I am writing to you: because this Christmas, he might not again be with you. Your
father has a sworn duty to perform which he must then carry out. His duties are very important to
maintain the peace and order in our country and none could perform that except for the soldiers
like your father. Also, do you know that without his sacrifices to perform his duties, there is a
possibility that Christmas for you and other children like you may not be peaceful, orderly, and
merry. There are people who would want to bring trouble in our country than help bring
prosperity. Safeguarding and securing our communities by being always ready when needed is
one of the duties of your father. And that is your father—a soldier.
I hope that you fully understand what I mean to say. You are intelligent and properly raised by
your parents … your father. Even just through telephone calls or text messaging, he is able to
communicate his love and care for you, your mother, and your brothers and sisters. With all his
sacrifices for our country, what is surely in his mind above all, he does all of these for you and
your brothers and sisters; and having that as his duty is the most important of all.
There is a matter that I would like to request from you. In your daily prayers, I hope you always
ask that the Almighty looks after your father and his companions in whatever field they may go.
And for those who were not fortunate enough to come back while performing their duties,
include them also in your prayers that they are easily accepted by their loved ones as soldiers
who died as heroes.
And I hope through this letter, you understand better how lucky you are to have a father as a
soldier—courageous in combat, but always with an open heart for peace.
By the way, I am Lieutenant General Victor S Ibrado. I am usually addressed as CG, especially
by your father. This is an abbreviation of the words to mean as Commanding General. I am the
commander of the Philippine Army and I stand as the father of all soldiers that belong to it.
Merry Christmas and long live the Filipino soldiers! Long live your father!
With love,
LIEUTENANT GENERAL VICTOR S IBRADO,
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(Parents are requested to read this letter to their children who cannot yet fully read and
understand …)