My Stupid Tears Caused by the Coca-Cola OFW Ad

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_9fQEqZCWs]

I don’t even cry in movies or books but sometimes sappy commercials like this one can really push me to tears. It’s rare for commercials to make me cry and I’ll forever remember those movies/ads/vids/etc. that prove that I’m not apathetic like many people (like my mother lol) think.

Maybe it’s the concept of the video that’s just so heart-wrenching. My father was an OFW for almost a decade, but this year, he decided to stay in the Philippines for good. Almost half of the mother’s side of my family is in Italy, too, so this commercial really pulled on my tight heartstrings. I tried to stop the tears but they just keep coming! I hate you, Coca-Cola.

One of the reason why I cried is because I remembered my college graduation last April 2010. I know how it feels to unexpectedly see someone you thought you wouldn’t see that day or for a long, long time but then you’ll unexpectedly see him/her. The surge of emotions is insane!

My father was still in Italy on April 2010 and he had trouble scheduling a flight in time for my graduation. That time, a volcano in Iceland erupted and complicated the air travel in Europe. It was hard to book flight since volcanic ash could harm aircrafts. Early on, my father informed me that he might not be able to attend my graduation. I didn’t harbor any hard feelings, of course. I’d rather not have my father on my graduation and for him to be safe and sound in Italy, than for him to desperately try to board a plane and endanger himself.

On the day of my graduation, I expected nothing. When I was already seated, I kept texting my sister to tell my father that he could watch the live streaming of the graduation online. I received no reply from my sister. Once the ceremony’s over, I went to look for my family and when I saw them, I was extremely shocked to see my father there as well! Turned out he managed to catch a flight at the very last minute and managed to reach my graduation on time. It was the best graduation gift one can receive. I’m so blessed to have daddy as my father. To have my family as my family.

Don't deny it, my father is cute.

I rarely show emotions in public but it was impossible to stop the tears! We were crying and hugging and it was just a really joyous occasion. Even my grandmas and cousins present were crying. It’s ridiculous how much I cried then because I didn’t even shed a tear the first time I saw my father after two years of not seeing him. I guess things can change.

My father may have missed out a lot when my sister and I were growing up. He wasn’t there during my grade school graduation and wasn’t there during tons of birthdays and other occasions, but he’s making it up for it now. He’s making up for all the time we weren’t together. I’m just glad that our Christmas this year will be a happy one. Among the four us, my father is always the first one to cry. I’m just glad he would no longer spend any birthday or Christmas alone.

I’m wishing the same for every OFW out there. I just wish they’ll find a way to make their Christmas a bit merry, despite the distance from their loved ones.