Ernesto was a simple farmer in a remote village. He lost his wife early when she gave birth to their youngest child. He was left alone to raise his two daughters — Clarisse and Angela. From then on, their future became his only hope.
But life was not easy. Their small farm was in debt, the house was almost ruined, and the income was not enough for food, let alone education. But every night, as Ernesto watched his children sleep, he would always say: “I will not let you grow up without dreams. Even if I have to suffer, I will not let you remain in poverty.”
So one day, he surprised everyone by selling their remaining land, as well as the few livestock and furniture. He did not spend that money on himself, but on his children’s education. He sent them to Manila, even though it meant he would stay in the village, alone, enduring hunger, and working as a porter and occasional tricycle driver.
“Pa, how are you?” Clarisse asked then, crying as she left. Ernesto just smiled, hiding her tears: “I’m getting old, but you, you are the future. Don’t look back, son. Fly away.”
Years passed. Every Christmas and birthday, his children rarely came home. He only received a small letter and a little money. The neighbors began to murmur: “Ernesto’s sacrifice was a waste, he might never come back.” “He was educated, but maybe he’s forgotten.”
Despite everything, Ernesto never lost hope. Every day, he carried an old photo of the three of them, looking at it while sitting on the balcony of his dilapidated house.
Until that day came. One peaceful morning, a car pulled up in front of their old house. Two women in uniform got out — elegant, strong, and carrying suitcases. Ernesto hurried over, almost in disbelief.
“Clarisse? Angela?” he whispered, trembling.
The two women smiled, and shouted at the same time: “Dad! We’re here!”
They hugged their father tightly, filled with tears and joy. Only then did Ernesto feel the warmth of family again. But he was even more surprised. As they talked, the two sisters revealed:
“Dad, we have a surprise for you.”
They got into a car and took Ernesto to the airport. There, he was slowly ushered into a private plane. He was stunned — he had never worn a seatbelt on an airplane before.
And when the two pilots entered the cockpit, he almost cried when he saw that they themselves would be the ones driving — his children.
“Dad,” Angela said, “all your sacrifices were not in vain. Now, we will take you.” Clarisse held his hand: “This is your first flight, Dad. And we will be with you.”
As the plane flew, Ernesto looked up at the clouds, wiping away his tears. He felt like a young man again, but now he had wings he never thought he would feel. His children took him to a destination he had long dreamed of but never imagined — to Baguio, where he had always wanted to go with his late wife.
In the cool air and mountain views, his children hugged him tightly. “Dad, we have not forgotten you. All this, for you.”
And there, Ernesto realized: sometimes, the most important flight is not just to the clouds, but back to the hugs that strengthened us.
For twenty years, he sacrificed and waited. But in one flight, he received the reward — not just of a dream, but of eternal love.
A Father’s Reward
In Baguio, as they walked through the famous park, Ernesto felt the cool breeze and the warmth of his children’s arms. With each step, it felt like he was still flying, not because of the plane but because of the love that now enveloped him.
“Dad,” Clarisse said as she looked at the pine trees, “when we were young, do you remember how you always said that one day we would come here as a family?”
Ernesto nodded, almost in tears. “I thought that was just a dream. Now, you made it come true for me.”
A Memorial Dinner
The night of their arrival, the brothers invited their father to a small restaurant on Session Road. The food was simple — hot soup, fried fish, and bread — but for Ernesto, it was the best dinner of his entire life.
“Pa,” Angela said, “you endured many years of hunger just to send tuition. Now, we want you to feel that it will never happen again. With every salary we both receive, we think first of your safety and comfort.”
Ernesto fell silent. He could no longer speak, because his heart was full of gratitude.
Returning to the Village
After a few days in Baguio, they returned to their village. But the siblings did not bring their father with empty hands — they brought a new plan.
“Pa,” Clarisse said, “we have bought the old land that you sold before. This is no longer a farm drowning in debt, but a home that we will rebuild.”
At the same time, they presented the documents. The door of their old home was reopened, but now there was hope again.
The New House
With the help of the siblings’ savings, they had the house built. It may not be a mansion, but it is sturdy, clean, and full of light. Ernesto has his own room, a small garden that he has long dreamed of.
Every morning, the neighbors visit and cannot believe it. “Ernesto, who used to have almost nothing to eat, is now sitting in his garden, watching his two pilot children.”
He just smiles and says: “All this, it is not from me. It is from God and the two children I loved more than myself.”
An Eternal Hug
One night, before going to bed, Angela and Clarisse went to their father. “Dad,” they said together, “thank you for all the sacrifices. Now, it is time for us to take care of you. You are the first pilot of our lives. We are the wings, but you give the direction.”
They hugged each other tightly. In the arms of his children, Ernesto found true peace.
The True Flight
And that’s when he understood: a father’s greatest achievement is not wealth or possessions, but seeing his children fly towards their dreams — and despite everything, return to return the love.
Finally, Ernesto’s dreams were no longer just dreams. They became reality, strengthened by sacrifice, strengthened by time, and warmed by the eternal love of family.