Father's Day...commercial hype?

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 30 — As this much-hyped sunshiny day approaches, we are all encouraged through the use of various propaganda to spend, spend, spend as a show of how much we all love good ol' Dad. It's as if the only way he'll know that we love him ever so much is to have a special day dedicated to him and shower him with costly gifts and a cake to boot!.

Ever notice how the old man's eyes light up, complemented by a brilliant dazzling smile? If your dad is someone like the guy next door, buying a gift for him is easy. He'd be happy with just a Joe six pack.

But regardless of what you get for him, he'd no doubt appreciate it. Its the thought that counts. On this special day, in most households, everyone gathers around bearing gifts, cakes, sweetmeats, while joyously slapping each other on the back as if to remind each other that good ol' Dad is the best ever.

Family goodwill and camaraderie is certainly at its best as we pay tribute to dear old Dad on this one special day. However, rather surprisingly, the other 364 days of the year, we just spend on ourselves, very often selfishly, without a care in the world.

Why? Would it hurt any one of us to show some appreciation to dear old Dad the whole year through instead of just that one day? I mean, our dads work just as hard as our moms at bringing up the kids, yet we readily shower our moms with more love and appreciation as compared to our dads.

Think about it! Think about all those little kids who are orphans having lost either one or both of their parents. And since we're talking about fathers, imagine what it would be like for those orphaned not having a dad around.

Once your wallets recover from the commercial part of Father's Day, what should obviously follow, in fact, should be a culmination of a yearlong appreciation of our dads. Every day can be Father's Day, where you show a little love and appreciation for him. Why not make breakfast for Dad on Mondays and prepare lunch for him on Tuesdays? Wednesdays and Thursdays are ideal for some time spent together, sports on television, etc., while Fridays are great for a quiet chats on the veranda. You could play tennis or golf with him on Saturdays and perhaps a game of mahjong or chess on Sundays. You'd be spending quality time, mind you, with someone who, once gone, can never be replaced by anyone else.

Dad is here today, but what about tomorrow? There's no point in discussing the football game with a gravestone; despite all your belated good intentions, the tombstone is not likely to appreciate it. I am not urging filial piety to the point that dear old Dad is feted and greeted with a song and dance routine everyday, to the tune and level of the Von Trapp family. Still, wouldn't it be nice to do a little something for and with Dad while he's still around and able? I mean, we're talking about the other half of our DNA contributor.

All you errant and wayward children out there, take heed. Let's show some genuine appreciation to one-half of the dynamic duo that is responsible for your presence here on Earth. Father's Day may be one special designated day of the year, but that doesn't mean the old man is not your Dad the rest of the year.

Don't be taken in by the commercial hoopla of Father's Day. Fathers are here to stay and Father's Day comes just once a year. What we could do to celebrate this day on a modest scale is to save throughout the year, so that we can afford to celebrate this special day without feeling the pinch, when the day comes along.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!