Iwa Moto's father Mr. Hiroaki Iwamoto died last March 8 due to liver cancer complications. Today, March 14, Iwa appeared on Startalk to talk about her dad and to just let out her innermost feelings.
How did she get the news about her dad?
"Tumawag yung friend ko at kamag-anak namin doon sa Japan na wala na po ang dad ko," revealed Iwa. "Una muna tumawag sa mom ko, then my mom called me."
It's been no secret that Iwa and her dad were seldom on good terms due to misunderstandings in the past. When she got the news, what did she feel first? Were they okay or were they still on bad terms?
"Okey kami ni Papa," said Iwa, "kasi lagi ko siyang tinatawagan at pag nasa work ako, pinapauwi niya ako pag masyado nang late. Noong nalaman ko na wala na papa ko, iba na pala ang feeling...para akong dinaganan ng mundo."
Iwa explained that her dad was already cremated and that Iwa would be bringing home the ashes once she goes back to Japan, but she needs to save up for the trip. The ashes are with her lola, she said.
Iwa is having issues with her visa and she can no longer become a citizen in Japan since she's already 20. She feels optimistic, however, that her younger sister Miki has the chance to become a Japanese citizen.
"Parte ng buhay ko, iyon, e," Iwa said, expressing her wish that she really wants to be a Japanese citizen. "Hapon ako, alam ko...pero may kulang. Iyon na lang ang natitirang naiwan ng papa ko kaya gusto ko i-acknowledge."
LAST CONVERSATION WITH DAD. Iwa shared that her last conversation with her dad was happy. "Masaya daw siya," Iwa said. "Wala na daw siyang sakit. At hihintayin niya daw ako at kapatid ko. Hindi ko nakikita ang lungkot sa boses niya...Masaya siya."
Her father just left her with a simple reminder: Take care of her siblings.
"Sana magkasama kami. Sana magkita kami," a tearful Iwa ended. "He's the best dad, kahit hindi ko man siya nakasama, masaya ako na siya ang tatay ko."