Although Charlie liked to play pranks on his close friends and relatives, he was a stern disciplinarian as a father.

"Lagi niya kaming pinagsasabihan, pinapagalitan, paminsan-minsan napapalo. Meron pong kasabihan na 'spare a rod and spoil a child,' in which we reacted like typical teenagers. Nagtatampo kami sa kanya, nakikipagtalo paminsan-minsan and, of course, in our young minds, he was wrong and we were right," Ricky recalled.

Charlie was not one to openly express his innermost feelings. His usually reserved conduct and desire to impose authority often evoked mixed reactions among his growing children.

"Ang sabi po ng mga kaibigan niya karinyoso siya. Sa amin po siguro nung mga baby pa kami, pero nung kami'y teenagers na, hindi po siya ma-hug na tao. Hindi po siya ma-I love you na tao. Dapat po makilala ninyo ang daddy ko dahil isang hawak sa balikat, isang sakal sa likod ng aming neck, e malaking bagay na po 'yon," explained Ricky.

Charlie's first marriage was in 1959 with a Spanish-language professor named Emma Marie. Their union was blessed with four children: Bing, Ricky, Mylene (who died in an accident when she was only five), and Mariella.

After Emma Marie died, Charlie married Mary Grace Yñigo and they had two children: Mylene and Charlone.

Mary Grace Yñigo is currently based in New York. She was not able to attend her husband's wake.

THE COURAGE OF CHARLIE DAVAO. Charlie's strong determination was  the stuff of legend among his peers.

Ricky recalled how his father's vow to stay away from alcohol was tested one festive evening.

"Sa Sampaguita po one time nag-iinuman 'yong kanyang mga colleagues niya. Isa po sa mga colleagues ng daddy ko, hindi ko na po babanggitin ang pangalan, binuhusan siya ng beer dahil ayaw niyang uminom."

Doused with cold beer and cajoled by drunken co-workers to grab a bottle, Charlie never flinched: "Right after that nirespeto na nila si daddy and hindi na nila pinilit uminom... Mula pa po nung '70s, clean living na po ang daddy ko."

Unfortunately, Charlie's vice-free lifestyle was no match against the cancer cells that were gradually multiplying inside his body. Cancer runs in the family; before him, relatives succumbed to the Big C despite putting up a brave fight.

The cancer cells were discovered in December 2009, but Charlie refused to go through chemotherapy, fearful of the pain that the medical procedure usually inflicts.

"During the last few months of his life my dad has shown the resiliency and strength of character that I've never seen before. Sabi ng doktor he was ready to go... In front of my dad sinabi sa amin that he can go any time. 'I don't know when, later, tomorrow, next year, he is very strong and ang tibay ng father ninyo at napakatapang niya'.

"In spite of his illness and physical challenges, my dad did not wallow in self-pity or complain. Hindi po siya nag-pain killers. Karamihan po ng nagkaroon ng colon cancer palagi pong naka-pain management. My father wala po. Para lang siyang kandila na nauupos dahan-dahan," narrated Ricky, his voice shifting between great pride and  unbearable sadness.