From the everyday to moments of adversity, dad’s lessons always remain in force. That is why today, various wellness, gastronomy and music professionals shared with us as a treasure, the one they consider the best advice their parents gave them.
To continue as brothers
“The best teaching received from my father, when I played basketball with one of my brothers and we ended up fighting, he told us that we had to do like boxers, who would fight and then hug each other. In other words, you leave the fight behind and continue as brothers.
Sigfredo “Freddy” Rodríguez, exercise physiologist and long-distance running coach
Father: Mario A. Rodriguez Matias
More than words, his example
“My father’s best advice was given to me with his example as a spiritual, noble, generous person, dedicated to his music and his family with all the love in the world.”
Ángel “Cucco” Peña, composer, singer and musical director
Father: Angel Rafael “Lito” Peña
always forward
“His best advice to me is to always go forward, back or to gain momentum.”
Wilo Benet, chef
Father: William Benet
Staring at goals
“Daddy always taught us to fight to achieve our goals, to never give up or settle, to persevere. He told us that we could get where we wanted, regardless of the obstacles. That we had to prepare and work to achieve our goals.”
Dr. Waleska Crespo Rivera, president of the Central University of the Caribbean
Father: Roberto Crespo Morales
Embraced with empathy and mercy
“A piece of advice my father gave me, they ask me; so many that he gave me with his example. Three words come to mind: integrity, empathy, and service. Integrity and fidelity to your principles, as well as transparency and sincerity in your actions, even if not everyone likes it. Have empathy and act as you would like them to do with you. Serve your island, no matter from where or how; always contributes positively to our Puerto Rico. They are teachings that I practice every day both personally and at work. Thank you so much daddy”.
Ivonne Rivera Llavona, executive director of the non-profit organization “In Front of Alzheimer’s”
“My dad was demanding with himself, I learned from his example. However, wanting perfection becomes a problem. Mercy makes it possible to understand and manage errors without generating accusations, judgments or blame. “Have mercy”, he said to me, and I remember it every day. This advice has served me greatly in my profession, relationship with my family, people, and myself. Because we are all human beings.”
Táyna Rivera Llavona, life coach, author and communicator.
Father of both: Ángel A. Rivera Rodríguez
With God as the center
“My dad has been largely responsible for instilling the element of spirituality in my life. The most valuable advice he has given me has been to put God above all things so that everything goes well for me. This has contributed greatly in my life because I find in spirituality, the strength and serenity to handle the situations that arise daily. Based on this advice, I have understood that everything has a purpose that transcends my experiences and that through what I live, God is forming my character for what will be presented in the future.”
Víctor R. Fuentes López, Doctor of Audiology and Counselor in Rehabilitation
Father: Antonio Fuentes
Helpful with peers
“My father, Orlando Riostaught me to always be honest, hard-working, faithful to my principles, compassionate and a servant of my fellow men”.
Ilka Ríos, Chancellor of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico
