Of Secret Investors, Brothers Turned Fathers, and Love with Palms Wide Open

This goes to my secret investor who never asked for his shares ever:

Since I was a kid, I've always been a businesswoman. I've sold different things. I got business ideas for almost every cool thing that I came across.

And every single time I come up with a business idea, I share it with you and you always ask me "Ano kelangan mo para maumpisahan mo yan?" (What do you need to get that started?) Every single time! Walang mintis! (Without fail!)

And when my business idea fails, I never hear any reprimand from you. Walang sumbat o sermon. Tatanungin mo lang "Ano ba nangyari? Okay lang yan." (No judgment nor anger. You’d simply say “Tell me what happened. It’s going to be okay.”)

Even whenever I'm hospitalized, you will always ask "May cash ka ba dyan?" (Do you have cash on you?) and even if I say yes, you'd still hand me some and say “Pang-emergency, para may hawak ka lang". (For emergencies, just so you have some on you.)

Whenever I'm dead broke, for some reason, you always know to randomly check on me and instantly lend (read: send) me money and you never give a deadline on when I’m supposed to return it. And when I do you'd always say "Hindi ko pa kelangan, gamitin mo muna." (I don’t need it yet, keep it first.)

During my birthdays or when I need to make important life decisions, you'd always ask "Ano ba gusto ni Ehm, ibigay kung ano gusto nya." (What does Ehm want? Give her what she wants or needs.) You will never decide for me, instead, you'd always let me decide for myself and support that decision regardless.

Every time I crave for something, you'd always say "Sige kain tayo dun, sige order tayo, sige bilhin mo na, ako na bahala." (Yes, let’s eat there. Yes, let’s order that. Go ahead and buy it, it’s on me.) Like always. I can’t even remember a single moment that you denied me the food I want. Siguro ayaw mo talaga ako pumayat hahaha. (I guess you really don’t want me to slim down! Hahaha!)

You've been my brother for 30 years and if I will write all the memories I have with you up to the smallest things especially when Dad died, I'd probably be able to write a novel.

I'm sharing this because I want people to not only see you as someone who's a hotshot poker pro and a good provider for his family, but also a caring and kindhearted brother to your sweet, smart, beautiful, gorgeous, (oops sorry tungkol nga pala sayo ito) (oops I forgot this was supposed to be about you) little sister.

I even remember the exact moment when I told you "Dikong, paswipe sa card, I'm launching my brand agency, kelangan ko domain and hosting." (Dikong, lend me your credit card. I’m launching my brand agency and I need to pay for domain and hosting.)

You handed it to me, almost instinctively, with no questions asked.

Come to think of it, that’s always been how you’ve shown your love for me — with palms facing up and wide open. 

• With me, your palms are always open; ready to give support through financial assistance, business mentorship, even just warm words that keep me going! 
• With me, your palms are always open; ready to lend a hand, pull me up from difficult situations, and lead me where I will be perfectly safe and happy.
• With me, your palms are always open; ready to hand me whatever I ask for, whatever I need. 

And I know these are the giving hands of a brother, a father, a friend, that will never close.

And when I told you that my business is starting to scale better, you were really proud and reminded me that I should always take care of my people.

So now that I've experienced a little success in my business, I want to give back as much as possible to the person who has always believed in me and has silently been cheering me on.

Lately, we’ve been blessed to spend more time together, sharing memories with the kids, and I’m so happy and excited to be on this trip with you for Father’s day. I hope you know how much I remember and appreciate everything you've ever done and will continue to do for me forever.

You are my brother, my father after Daddy’s passing, the last man who would ever leave me, and my first and most trusted business investor.

For all you have been for me, all that you are, and all you will continue to be, thank you.

Salamat kasi kahit araw-araw mo ko iniinis, alam ko hindi mo ko papabayaan. (Thank you because even though you annoy and tease me every single day, I know you will never abandon me.)

Mahal na mahal kita. (I love you very much.)

Love,

Ehm

Jozelle Tech is the CEO and Founder of The Rolling Media -- a brand creative consultancy that leverages strategic and high-converting creative solutions to build solid personal brands for creative entrepreneurs and coaches. Get more from subscribing to her YouTube channel and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.