This father decided to introduce their family business to his son as early as 10 years old.
In an interview with The Philippine STAR/LatestChika.com, Daddy Melvin John Chua recalled on how he started bringing his son, Vino, to their water refilling station.
“Kasi nakikita ko sa social media, lahat ng batang exposed na sa gadgets. Most of their time nako-consume na talaga ng screen time nila. So, naisip ko pati ni wifey na pagbantayin,” he explained.
When he realized that Vino seemed interested, Daddy Melvin kept on teaching him about the business.
“Sobrang saya. Actually, hindi ko naman in-expect na magiging ganun ‘yung reaction niya. Kasi as much as possible, I try to be the calmest person.Ayoko talagang napipilitan si Kuya Vino, habang ginagawa niya ‘yung trabaho na ‘yun. And at the same time, nagkukulitan kami,” he noted.
The business was founded by his father 25 years ago. Daddy Melvin also became an employee at the water refilling business while growing up.
“Since nung bata pa ako, na-expose na talaga kami sa business ng father ko and mother ko. Parang mga Grade 2, Grade 1. Marunong na kami bumuhat. ‘Yung mga galon. And minsan kami ‘yung nag-deliver ng kapatid ko ‘pag worst case scenario na walang pumasok na tao. As time passes by, nung naging high school na ako, nagtuloy-tuloy, to the point na ako na rin ‘yung nagda-drive nung van namin,” he recalled.
“Alam naman natin na iba ‘yung generation ng parents natin. So, ang upbringing sa amin about sa negosyo medyo pwersahan eh. To the point na hindi namin siya na-enjoy. Na parang every time na, ‘Anak bantay ka dito,’ parang natatakot kami kasi baka magkamali kami. Kaya ako, hindi ko nagustuhan mag-business when I was still young,” he added.
When Daddy Melvin’s father died this year, he had no choice but to take over the business.
“Ako talaga ‘yung last option ng negosyong ‘yun para mabuhay.It’s up to me kung itutuloy ko siya or kung isasara ko eh. Pero ang nasa isip ko kasi is parang sayang naman ‘yung legacy na hindi rin kasi biro ‘yung 25 years eh. Tapos biglang isasara mo ‘yung water station. Dito rin talaga ako lumaki. Katabi lang ng bahay namin. So, very accessible talaga rin para sa aming mag-ama,” he said.
Recalling his past experiences, Daddy Melvin wants a softer take on how he can convince Vino to help in their business.
“Hindi ko gagawin ‘yung style na naranasan ko noong bata pa. Gusto ko, ‘Ah, pag gagawin niya ‘to, masaya siya, hindi siya napipilitan.’ At, para ‘di ba, maging genuine. Hindi ko alam na mag-viral ‘yung video. Hindi din namin in-expect. Gusto ko lang siya i-post randomly,” he stressed.
Vino is currently studying at the San Sebastian College Recoletos. Every time he has free time, he accompanies his father to the refilling station.
“Dun din ‘yung food trip time niya. Lahat, sasabihin ko sa kanya,cano gusto n’yo ‘yung food? Bibili ko talaga lahat, ‘yun. As a parent, very fulfilling kasi alam ko na pagdating ng araw, mahihigitan, gusto ko mahigitan ‘yung, nalaman ko ‘yung knowledge eh, sa parents ko. Gusto ko parang times 10,” Daddy Melvin emotionally said.
“Para sa anak ko, kakayanin niyang mabuhay mag-isa. Kasi ‘pag hindi ko ginawa ‘to, limited lang magiging options niya eh. Malilimit ‘yung sarili niya, ‘yung potential niya. So, as soon, hangga’t maaga pa, ipa-practice ko na siya sa reality ng mundo natin,” he added.
Vino even left a message for his Daddy Melvin
“Gusto ko sabihin thank you kasi since you’re teaching me how to i-ano ‘yung station, that means you’re also teaching me the real life world. In the future, kung kailangan masipag ako, ‘pag nagka-family na ako,” Vino said.
Daddy Melvin hopes that their story will encourage parents to find alternatives to make their kids be productive and away from gadgets.
“I-divert natin ‘yung attention ng mga kids natin. Kasi nakikita ko sa screen time ngayon talaga, walang na-unlock na potential eh. Very malamya ‘yung mga kids. Hindi marunong sumagot nang maayos. Nawawala ‘yung respeto. Nawala ‘yung human nature na ito, usap tayo, laro tayo sa labas. Sana mag-allot kayo ng time sa mga kids n’yo. Try to divert their attention to other things na pwedeng mag-unlock sa mga new hobbies nila,” he said.
