Father Nono: A Priest Who Became Our Father on Father's Day

A heartwarming encounter and celebration of paternal spirit

Photo by JP — Dinner with Father Nono and Altar Servers

Father's Day with Father Nono

Today, as we visit Father Nono ⛪ I am pleasantly surprised by his hospitality. 💕 He greeted us with three cases of light liquors 🍾 and a case of Coca-Cola.🧋 Moreover, he even cooked dinner 😋 for us and generously served us with a variety of pulutan from his pantry! (๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) Father Nono strikes us as an open and kind-hearted person, 🤗 despite his habit of smoking. 🚬

This prompts me to reflect: would people prefer to be around individuals who pretend to be kind, concealing ulterior motives to take advantage of others and their situations?

Or would they rather befriend someone like Father Nono—slightly confrontational and battling a smoking addiction—yet undeniably authentic, kind, and loving? Personally, I lean towards authentic individuals, even if they have quirks.

I can acknowledge both the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, but my preference leans strongly towards authenticity.

During dinner, Father Nono realized that I am a vegetarian, and he made a genuine effort to accommodate my dietary needs. As we prepare to sleep, he generously offered us his mattresses, making us feel like part of his extended family today—akin to being cared for by a father figure amidst fourteen children.

His warmth and generosity are truly remarkable. Having spent considerable time with him and interacting closely, I have come to deeply appreciate his authenticity and kindness. Father Nono is incorruptible; he consistently puts others before himself, embodying the qualities of a great man and a caring father.

We concluded our 2-day, 1-night visit with him generously funding our island hopping and beach trip, amounting to 5000 pesos.