I have been contemplating about writing a book about my father for quite some time now. It’s been years since we commissioned National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. He finished the piece during the interviews, and I remembered having to buy a case of beer for him as he had to be motivated to interview and write. But the manuscript was set aside for reasons I cannot remember.
As my father’s 80th birthday approached, I felt that maybe this is the time for me to write a book about him, after finding myself writing two weekly and bi-weekly columns about entrepreneurship, as well as publishing eight books on Go Negosyo entrepreneurs. As I said to myself, it was my father who somehow molded me to become a man for others and not just for myself. I want to share the story of his life — on how he managed to surpass 50 years of marriage with one woman, how he has mentored his children and kept the family together, and how he risked his own life just to help restore democracy in our country through NAMFREL, which at that time was indeed an impossible dream to many Filipinos. Without democracy, the quest towards eliminating poverty will be difficult, and it does not stop at that. So after almost eight months of planning and writing the book, with the help of the manuscript from the late Nick which we resurrected as a resource, Joecon’s journey will finally be shared with his family and friends who are really part of his path towards his “impossible dream” of seeing a better Philippines. (more…)
