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Our Father: Through a father’s lens
By Mary Rose A. Jimenez
The Philippine Star

Jun de Leon, one of the country’s foremost photographers, realizes his dream of 19 years with the recent release of his 9th book, Our Father, honoring fathers and their unique, powerful influence in making a positive impact in their children’s lives.

Jun, hailed for his accomplishments as a photographer, has dedicated 35 years to the perfection of his craft. He is well respected by his peers and has earned the trust of many loyal clients. Today, Jun de Leon beams proudly as he finds himself in a new light, connected to his children, enjoying the love of his family and a new photo book, Our Father.

A father himself, the photo book was a dream project Jun wanted to do 19 years ago. He called it the Dear Nina project in honor of his then 5-year-old daughter, who he deeply hurt when they separated.

Since then, he has rebuilt his relationship with his daughter. “Just as my dad inspired me, I am glad that my relationship with him has inspired him to pay tribute to fathers,” Nina says of the book. Jun’s other children attest to their father’s love as well: “My dad and I have always been close,” says daughter Bea. His youngest son Ijah adds, “He always makes me laugh!”

Jun recalls, “Four years ago and fifteen years after I shelved the Dear Nina Project, I photographed RJ Esteban and his wife Liv, along with their three sons, for a family shoot. Looking through the viewfinder of my camera, I saw RJ calmly looking straight at me, smiling, all the while grabbing and holding on to his three little squirming children, never losing his composure. Suspended in a moment of amazement, I found the image of the ideal father staring at me through my lens. Instantly, my dream came rushing back: I wanted to take the project off the shelf and fulfill it.” After a series of meetings, RJ and Liv Esteban, together with Joel Santos, became publishers of the dream project.

“I was instantly attracted to Jun’s concept because the experience of fatherhood is a topic that I can easily relate to, being a father of five boys who may one day become fathers themselves,” says RJ, a long time friend of the photographer. “It is always interesting to hear the stories and experiences of fellow fathers on their journey as parents.”

Liv adds, “Toasting the fathers through this project has allowed us to honor not just the 62 great fathers who grace its pages but also, in the process, our own fathers, whom we love tenderly and respect highly.” In explaining one of the reasons why they chose the photo book’s title, she says, “This project is a very fitting avenue for giving greater glory to the No. 1 Father, whose children we all are.”

Our Father, which also comes with a CD of songs  featuring singer Martin Nievera with music and lyrics by Louie Ocampo, has successfully assembled a diverse collection of 62 inspiring fathers including national leaders, businessmen, entrepreneurs, activists, professionals, actors, musicians, militia and (during the time of the shoot) a soon-to-be dad.

Completing the list of fathers featured in glossy pages of this photo book are Robert Ho, honorary chairman, Fairmont and Magsaysay group; Edgar Ang, chairman/president AB&T Resources Inc.; Rolando Hortaleza, CEO, Splash Corporation; Patxi Elizalde, vice president, ELRO Commercial and Industrial Corporation; Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte; Senator Chiz Escudero; singer Gary Valenciano and actor Robin Padilla. Subjects were given the freedom to choose where they wanted to do their photo shoot.

In the book, the children and wives of these prominent fathers share their stories that give a glimpse into the lives of the revered men that they are lucky enough to call father:

Robin Padilla’s daughters Queenie and Kylie reveal that their father, who people know as a rebellious action movie star, is a voracious reader. “He can speak volumes on general information,” they say.

Helen, Linda and Doris, daughters of Magsaysay Group’s honorary chairman, Robert Ho, recall regular family meetings wherein their father would discuss a multi-year master plan for each member of the family. “We would discuss each person, where we were in school, and map out what we wanted to do in the future,” they share. The Ho family puts so much importance in their family meetings that until now, though the children are all grown-up, they still get together for these meetings at least once a year.

Susanne, wife of furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, confides that the busy man is the opposite of a strict dad. She fondly calls him the play ringmaster, “turning ordinary playtime into a magical experience for the boys.”

Like Cobonpue, many of the fathers featured in the book are busy men, preoccupied with work. But, as their children point out, being a father is top priority for these men.

“Family always comes first for our dad,” say Tobi and Tisha, children of Edgar Ang. “We understand why he works as hard as he does,” they add. “It is difficult not to be influenced by his fervor.”

Our Father features many fond and inspiring anecdotes on the roles of fathers and how they touch the lives of each of their children. They are also a treasure trove of advice, solicited and unsolicited. “He always tells me how to do much better in life,” says Patxi Elizalde Jr. on his father, of whom he is a namesake.

A father is also a “pillar of strength,” as children of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte put it. Isaac, Kevin, Miguel and Joy say that their father is “the anchor of our family. We know that if we need his help during the toughest times, he would be there for us.”

The photo book highlights, most of all, how each father balances the responsibilities of his professional life while at the same time putting importance on his family. Queenie, the wife of Lt. Juan Gullem, shares, “He says of the days when he is on the battlefield: ‘I would just pray everday that the next day would still find me alive, so that I would have the chance to see my daughter again.’” This, she says, is “the prayer of a soldier and a father, the defender of more than just our home.”

“Making this book was every bit of a dream come true,” says Jun. “The positive response of the fathers and the impressive support of their families overwhelmed me beyond words.”

He adds, “Sitting with the fathers after the shoots and going through the children’s viewpoints gave us not just glorious photographs but, perhaps even more importantly, awesome and insightful learning experiences.”

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