Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, Father’s Day is a special holiday in honor of the dads and father figures in our lives. As the awaited day draws near, families are preparing to celebrate this event with their fathers, physically and virtually, partly because of the pandemic.
While others could physically be with their dads this coming Father’s Day, how about those with OFW fathers that almost always celebrate this holiday away from their dads?
In case you’re unable to spend Father’s Day with your dad, for whatever reason, we gathered a few tips from OFW families who are seasoned with pulling off a virtual party.
Make it personal
Every family is unique so what your dad would be interested in doing might differ from others. When planning for their special day, it could be helpful to look back on some of your favorite bonding moments with them.
Abigail Valdez shared that she often catches up with her father by chatting and video calling him whenever she has time. “I always tell him how much I appreciate his efforts and how much we love him, minsan nagpapaturo ako magluto since he’s a cook,” she added.
If that’s the case, ready your pots and pans, it’s time for a cook off. Plan it ahead and ready the ingredients to make your favorite dish with your family over a call. Enjoy your interactive cook off and celebrate the event with a shared meal.
Do you consider movies to be your love language? Then why not set up a virtual marathon session with Teleparty, a free browser extension that allows you to watch movies together no matter where you are.
Regardless of what you choose to do, we’re sure your father will appreciate it as long as it’s meaningful.
For Rryshel Ramirez, whose father has been working as an engineer in Singapore for six years now, her family plans to celebrate Father’s Day by attending online mass together through FaceTime.
She also added that she shows her love towards her dad “by texting him everyday, reminding him to drink his medicine regularly, and saying good night when there is time to do facetime in the evening.”
Upgrade your video calls
A common way to celebrate events in these critical days is virtually— through online chats and video calls— via Facebook, Skype, and FaceTime among others.
This Father’s day, Allyshia Cunanan plans to spend it with her father via video call. She shared that her father did not have the chance to go home for two years now because of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Justine Bayoneto shared that they would also celebrate Father’s day virtually since her father is working at sea as a waiter. Her father only gets to stay at home for two to three months out of the year.
She added that she shows her appreciation towards her father by messaging him about how much she loves her and to never forget to take care of himself. They also bond through video calls when her father is free.
While online calls have become a regular part of your routine, that doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting too. Why not use this as an opportunity to go beyond your dad’s expectation?
When video chatting with your dad, try using a personalized background to make them feel more special. You can decorate your walls with balloons and banners, or use virtual backgrounds to really make an occasion out of a simple call.
Who said that one must be physically present to have some fun? In these innovative days, you could have fun in front of your screens with just a click even if you are separated. Start your family bonding with some fun online games. This is the time to be creative over call— you can play familiar party games like pictionary, bingo, charades, or even mobile multiplayer games like Among Us.
Not a gamer? Try the free virtual tour where you can travel around the world with just a few clicks. You could go to Paris art galleries, Disney World, the Great Wall of China, among others. Explore the world from your home!
Let the festivities begin!
This COVID-19 pandemic has caused several changes of plans, especially when celebrating holidays.
Instead of eating out, we eat at home. Instead of watching in cinemas, we watch on our televisions. And for some, instead of being with their fathers physically, they do it virtually.
Despite these restrictions, Father’s Day is still something worth celebrating— to go above and beyond for the mentors in our lives. Let’s show how much we appreciate their hard work, may it be in the form of physical affection or verbal communication.
Remember, you are important to him more than you can imagine.
Happy Father’s Day!
________
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the contributor/s and do not represent those of InqPOP! and INQUIRER.net. The InqPOP! staff assumes no liability for any error in the content of this material. Got something you want to share to the world? Get a chance to publish your awesome creations and share it to the world through our InqPOP! Creator Community program. Send us your stories, videos, photos, fan fic, and even fan art at pop@inquirer.net
For more details, read the POP! Creators FAQ page.
Other POP! stories you might like:
HERstory: The evolution of motherhood & women’s roles in the Philippines
6 Book recommendations to help you fall (back) in love with reading
Got cabin fever? Travel the world through these peaceful livestreams