A Father's Day Gift Guide, Made By A Sentimental Eldest Daughter

Technically, a gift guide. Emotionally? A tribute.

Published on Jun 11, 2025

ILLUSTRATION: Ica Del Mundo

The first gift I remember giving my dad wasn't exactly a gift. Like any single-digit-year-old in preschool, I was assigned a craft project: a DIY version of our home, complete with photos of my family—me, my younger brother, my mom, and my dad.

Of course, we went all-out (and by we, I mean my mom, who always made sure I had an overflowing stash of scrapbooking supplies). The house was made of dried grass straw, bahay kubo-style (don't ask me why—we lived in a concrete one, LOL), and our photos were tucked inside little picture frames with arms and legs. It was as 3D as preschool crafts could get. And yes, it's still framed and hanging in his room to this day.

Over the years, I've given my dad a lot of things. Our gift-giving schedule was simple: his birthday in February, Father's Day in June, Christmas in December. My brother and I would always split the cost, but as the Ate, I took charge of the actual gift hunt. I'd spend hours combing through malls looking for the right present, while my brother (who's so lucky to have me) would just wait for my final hating-kapatid computation before bank-transferring his share.

I can't recall every single gift I've ever given my dad, but here are some recent standouts that still make me smile.

First off, we have the dad shoes.

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

A classic dad shoe if there ever was one. I imagined the Mexico 66 to be my dad’s go-to for Sunday mass—stylish enough to elevate his usual polo-and-slacks look, but still practical. I originally bought a size 9, but had to exchange it for a 9.5. These run narrow, much like my dad's patience for ill-fitting shoes. Or most things, really. (I say that with love.)

On Cloud6

After my family's trip to Europe in 2024, my dad started asking where we were going next. He also mentioned, in typical tito fashion, that he needed proper "walking shoes" for future travels. So I got him a pair of On Clouds—a dad-shoe upgrade with enough foam to out-cushion both the Mexico 66s and New Balances. I figured he'd need the arch support while my mom and I shopped our way through wherever our next destination would be.

Looking back, we really have gifted him a lot of sneakers, slippers, sandals, you name it. His closet could almost qualify as a dad-shoe museum. There was a pair of Skechers—those slip-on, loafer-looking ones—so he could still be comfy but look a little more dressed up. And then there were the classic white Nike sneakers, which we got simply because he'd always wanted a pair.

Then, we have the tito-proof tech.

To be honest, my dad isn't exactly tech-savvy. He's a smart guy when it comes to the hard sciences—he's a retired doctor, after all, and he'd make me and my brother watch NatGeo instead of Nickelodeon. So he'd rather splurge on gadgets for all his aquariums than for himself. So when I gave him tech, it had to be essential and easy to use.

iPad (9th Gen) Wi-Fi 64GB

Despite not being chronically online like the rest of us, my dad knows a little too much about pop culture. He'll casually drop celebrity gossip into conversations like it's part of his medical training. (I once caught a KathNiel dad joke scribbled on a tissue on his bedside the day after they broke up.) So for Christmas, I got him and my mom matching iPads—simple enough to use, but perfect for binge-watching shows without having to wrestle with a Smart TV remote.

Samsung Galaxy A06

I honestly don't even know what model his old Samsung phone was—it's probably been discontinued for years. I wanted something simple that could handle Viber, YouTube tutorials, and the occasional photo of him with his beloved plants. The Samsung A06 hit the sweet spot: basic, reliable, Android. The learning curve was low, and transferring his apps and contacts was a breeze.

Some honorable mentions: A pair of Sunnies aviator-like sunglasses with UV protection (he calls them "photochromic," of course), a digital Xiaomi weighing scale, and a white gold necklace with a cross pendant. All are definitely a step up from the "I have a six-pack" novelty t-shirt I gave him back in grade school—with an image of beers instead of abs. (LOL, get it?)

It's been four years since my dad officially got diagnosed with the Big C. And I've since been making a list of the presents I still hope to give him. Suddenly, that list got heavier.

Like walking me down the aisle. I've never been the type to dream about my wedding, not even when I was a little girl. But somehow, no matter the reception venue or the dress or the groom, there was always a father-daughter dance in the picture.

Or becoming a Lolo. He'd sometimes joke about when he's finally getting an apo. But he's also the first to say that my brother and I are on our own timelines, and that there's no need to rush. It's that same part of him that's always been vocal and proud we've made our own creative paths—even if they're nothing like the traditional ones he and my mom took.

We still haven't planned the next family trip. My dad didn't get to join us for our vacation in South Korea last April. I had built the itinerary with him in mind, especially the Garden of Morning Calm, since I thought he'd love the bonsai and all the different kinds of flowers. We also visited the Ilsan Aquarium. Our tour guide noticed how much my brother and I enjoyed it—she didn't expect that from two grown adults, she said. "They're just like their dad," my mom replied.

One of the first gifts I gave my dad after we found out about his diagnosis was a watch. Nothing grand—it was a Seiko.

₱0

I was originally going to get him a Seiko 5, simple and reliable. But then I realized it might not be practical. It had an automatic movement and needed to be worn regularly to stay powered, which might not work for him anymore. So I got him a Seiko SUR instead. It had a quartz movement—no need to charge or wind it, just a clean, classic piece that made more sense for everyday wear.

It was a simple watch.

Unwrapped, it looks like this: 4 p.m. Sunday mass, early dinner after at one of our usuals, small arguments about over-ordering, topped off with dad jokes about him being a "dual citizen" upon paying the bill. (He has a Senior Citizen ID.)

And of all the gifts I've listed, time has been the best one. It's the one gift that hasn't just been his, but ours.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Love, Ate.

Ida is the Executive Editor of Cosmopolitan Philippines. She sees the world through her signature glasses with a pop-cultural lens. A lifestyle journalist at heart, she turns her hot takes (and thirst trap history) into fire emoji-worthy content. She holds a master's in publishing from NYU—and a lifetime degree in memes.