MANILA, Philippines – Would you abandon your father who could not part with his philandering ways or love him unconditionally despite his shortcomings?
That is the dilemma faced by the family of Napoleon Timonera, 73, who was found wandering the streets and asking for help from his four daughters working in the United States.
A video interview with Timonera circulated online, drawing sympathy from many netizens.
However, one of his daughters turned the tables on him after she revealed what they had allegedly gone through because of him.
Pinoy Online Radio, an online station catering to overseas Filipino workers (OFW), posted on its Facebook page the response of Dr. Mic Ng, one of Timonera’s daughters.
“Read the story behind this picture,” the post said. Below it was a picture of Timonera holding a sign that said, “Matanda na ako. Bigyan n’yo ako ng maka-in sa hirap ko sa Saudi mapag-aral kayo (I am already old. Give me food, especially since I worked hard in Saudi to support your studies).”
He then listed the names of his four daughters, two of whom were doctors and the other two nurses, and included pictures of them.
According to his daughter, however, Timonera had been in contact with them even after he left them to live with his mistresses. Ng said the old man is now living with his fourth mistress.
“Sad to know that there are really many people that would rather judge first before knowing the real story. They would rather hurt people rather than know the truth first,” Ng said.
She said they have always supported him financially and even offered him a place to stay.
“Why then is he doing this to us? Because he has another family to support and he is old already. He has seen that in spite of the broken home he has given us, we have strove to rise above the problems and get a better life while the path that he has chosen has lead him to nowhere,” she said.
The doctor pointed out that it was her husband who actually paid for her studies.
She said that even if they give him money, he would just spend it and go back to blackmailing them again.
“I’m content that our friends and relatives know who we are and the real story and they have been supporting us through all these trying times. Those who are bashing us, take time to think. Not all that you are seeing is the truth,” Ng said.
The post has since been “liked” by more than 50,000 Facebook users and shared over 40,000 times.
It has also made the rounds in blogs and websites.
While many people immediately shifted to the side of the daughters, others questioned their lack of empathy for the old man. Nevertheless, a number also said that Timonera should ask for forgiveness from his family.
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