Provider, protector, and pillars of home—these are just some of the words often used to describe our dads.

From enduring loneliness when they choose to work overseas to provide a comfortable life for the family, taking you wherever you need to go or picking you up to make sure that you’ll be home safely, to sacrificing their own dreams so you can pursue yours--dads are truly heroes in their own right.

The journey to fatherhood is just starting for first time dads Bryan Manongtong of Merchandising Operations and Mike Go of Social Enterprise Development Department. But as early as now they can already rave about how being a dad one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences that they’ve had.

Wonderful Surprise

Bryan and his wife, Chelsea, have always been fond of kids. “Sometimes, I wonder what it would feel like to have my own child,” Bryan shared.

In 2016, Bryan was planning on marrying his then-girlfriend Chelsea before the year ended but life had a surprise for him.

Earlier in 2016, Bryan found out that Chelsea was pregnant through a surprise photo slideshow that she made for him. “When I realized that she was pregnant, I couldn’t stop crying. I was very happy,” he said.

While having a baby before getting married wasn’t their plan, Human Nature’s Marital Assistance helped the couple to keep their wedding plans as they save up for their baby’s arrival. Bryan & Chelsea tied the knot in October 2016 and on Christmas Eve, they received the best gift—their baby, Cleos Matthew.

Bryan, who has been with Human Nature for six years and currently works as the Merchandising Coordinator for Shopwise, shared that the shortened working hours helped him ease in to fatherhood. “My wife works as a spa manager. Since her training is in Makati, she often goes home late. Our shorter working hours privilege allows me to go home early. I am able to take care of my baby, sing him to sleep, and help my wife with house chores, too.”

Being a dad is no easy task, but Bryan shares that his baby’s smile is enough to make every challenge doable. “Being a dad taught me that life is very important. I really learned to value my parents sacrifice and how to put my family’s needs first before my own. Now I truly understand why parents work hard. I’m even more inspired to work and preserve to I can provide the best life that I can give him.”

Happy Firsts

As head of the Social Enterprise Development Department, Mike is used to juggling multiple tasks at once—but Mike shares that being a dad is a different story.

“I was already psyching myself how to balance my work commitments and being there for my wife,” Mike said. Human Nature’s extended paternity leaves which covers 14 working days instead of seven has helped Mike to have more bonding time with his daughter, Michaela Emmanuelle, from changing diapers to putting his baby to sleep.

As first time parents, Mike and his wife, Fel, handled parenthood as a team. “I can see it’s not easy for her to wake up every 2-3 hours to feed so I try to do as much as I can. I take lead in burping, giving baths, buffing nails, and changing diapers. I can’t really say it’s a challenge as I’m enjoying doing everything I do for them.”

Mike is happy to see the many firsts in his daughter’s early days. For him, being a dad’s greatest reward it witnessing his daughter’s developments every day while helping his wife as much as he can. “You can find joy in every sacrifice. It can be physically exhausting at times—we only have three hours of sleep on some days,” Mike said.

Being a dad also gave mike a fresh perspective. “It’s easy to say this when it comes to your own wife and baby but what I slowly realize is how this optimism spreads into the other things I do. Having Mikee makes me more excited about my marriage and strengthens my resolve in building a better world around us,” Mike shared.

Whatever you call you him—Tay, Papa, Daddy, or Ama, don’t forget to recognize your dad this Father’s month. Pick a thing or two from Human Nature for Men’s line—the perfect everyday shower companion for everyday heroes like him.