Photographed by Vincent Zhou
This Father’s Day, we celebrate the many ways fathers shape our world. Whether by teaching us to lead with heart, dream boldly, stay grounded, or simply be kind, their legacies live on in the lives we choose to lead.
Fathers take on many forms. Some are biological, others chosen, but their influence endures through the values they impart, whether in grand gestures or quiet moments. This Father’s Day, we spoke to five individuals from different walks of life, each sharing the lessons they’ve carried with them, thanks to the father figures who shaped who they are today.
Below, read the lessons Miss A, Robby Sylianteng, Billie Dumaliang, Artu Nepomuceno, Jo Berry, and Bianca Bustamante learned from their fathers.
Invest in yourself
While DJ Medmessiah may be a stern figure to others, what has stayed with Miss A is her father’s immense heart. “He never avoids those in need,” she says, recalling how he would hand out change or even big bills to the less fortunate and how he once ran a month-long feeding program in Manila. “His ability to see hope in others, even after they’ve wronged him, has deeply shaped the way I view the world.”
What was the most important lesson her father taught her? To invest in herself. “He taught me to have discipline alongside passion when pursuing something close to my heart,” she says. “Emotions come and go, but consistency is a huge key to success.”
Think of future generations
For Robby Sylianteng, some of his favorite memories are of passing a football with his father until the sun went down, whether in Xavier, BSM, or summer visits to Los Angeles.
His father instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility. “That we’re living in history,” Sylianteng says. “That I should have the self-determination to do what I wish more people in the past or present have done for the betterment of all and to make that sustainable and inheritable for generations to come.”
Above all, it’s his father’s kindness and respect for others that he strives to emulate. “Thank you for who you are,” he says. “It’s that which allowed me to grow into the person I am today.”
Don’t cry over spilled milk
A night in Palawan, lying on the sand and staring at the stars, is one of Billie Dumaliang’s most vivid memories of her father. It was a moment of quiet awe reflecting their reverence for nature and purpose.
“He taught me to make sure everything I do is remarkable,” she says. It’s a principle she has carried with her in conservation work at Masungi Georeserve.
Her father’s words stay in her mind: “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” It’s this sentiment of principle and practicality that guides her daily. “My father takes the principled route, even when it’s the most difficult path. He inspired me to become more courageous in the choices I make.”
Her message to him: “Thank you for the privilege of continuing your legacy in conservation.”
Family is defined by bond, not blood
For Artu Nepomuceno, Father’s Day is a celebration of his stepdad, who became simply “Dad.” He entered Nepomuceno’s life when he was seven and transformed it from solitary to adventurous. “It was because of him I became daring,” Artu says, remembering bike trails, camping trips, and tennis matches. When he fell, his dad would shout, “Did you catch the fish?” ”, a question that turned minor accidents into moments of lightness.
His most important lessons? That family is defined by bond, not blood. “My dad didn’t hesitate to take me in,” he says. “He gave me the freedom to be curious and trusted me to find my way.”
As Artu prepares to become a father himself, he carries that legacy forward. “Thank you for treating me as your own,” he says. “Thank you for allowing me to make mistakes and for making sure I always knew I could count on you.”
Work hard for the life you want
After long taping days, Jo Berry always looked forward to her father waiting up for her, ready to talk about how her day went. “Even if it’s late, he would always wait for me to come home,” she says.
Her father, born with dwarfism in a family of ten children, taught her what it means to work hard for the life you want. “His condition didn’t stop him from being a good father,” Berry says. “He inspired me to keep fighting for my dreams and to always see the bigger picture.”
Every day, as she headed to work or school, her father would send her off with, “I love you, anak. Be kind. Be alert.” It’s a simple phrase that captures everything he hopes for her: that she move through life with compassion and awareness.
Balance work and relationships
Bianca Bustamante grew up with not one but two father figures: her dad, Raymond, and her manager, Darryl O’Young. Both, in different ways, helped steer her toward her dream.
Her father introduced her to racing at just three years old. “He was my sole motivator,” she shares. “He had the passion and love for the sport, and I picked it up very young.” As she grew older, O’Young stepped in, helping to turn that early spark into a full-blown career. “We all kind of made it happen together,” Bustamante says.
Her father, who worked abroad during much of her childhood, taught her the value of hard work and sacrifice. “He lived far away but always stayed connected. He worked day and night just to provide for us,” she says. “It’s something I aspire to: balancing work and relationships the way he did.”
O’Young, meanwhile, became a constant presence. “We talk every day. He’s helped me navigate every win, every heartbreak. My morals and who I am as an adult, it’s all thanks to him.”
During moments of self-doubt, her father figures are there to remind her of her potential. “Thank you, Papa, for introducing me to my first love: racing,” she says. “Because of you, I found my calling.”
