My biological mother passed away, my stepfather devoted himself to raising his wife’s stepchild to become a doctor, one day an unexpected accident occurred, revealing a terrible secret…
My name is Lia, 28 years old, currently a doctor at a large hospital in Manila. My life today was built with sweat and tears—but not just mine. Behind that is the shadow of a man I used to call “stepfather”, but the truth is greater than that.

My mother passed away when I was only ten years old. Cancer took away the woman who worked hard for me all her life. I thought my life would fall into darkness, but then Tatay Ramon—my mother’s second husband—opened his arms to welcome me. That carpenter (karpintero) never let me lack anything, even though he himself was not well off.

He woke up at dawn in the quiet barangay of Quezon City, his back bent as he pushed each piece of narra wood, his calloused hands making each table and chair to earn money. Once, a neighbor sarcastically said:
– Raising your wife’s illegitimate child, aren’t you afraid of wasting your efforts?

He just smiled and answered briefly:
– He is my wife’s child. His wife is gone, and I am his Tatay.

Those words were engraved in my heart. I studied day and night, hoping to be successful in the future to repay him. Every time I received a scholarship, he would wipe his eyes with tears, and put some small bills in my hand:
– You can keep it to buy books. Tatay can eat rice and vegetables.

I grew up, went to medical school, graduated, and became a doctor. The day I put on my first white coat, Tatay Ramon sat in the row of seats in the hall, clapping his hands until his palms were red, tears streaming down his face.

I thought that happiness would last forever, but fate once again tested my father and I.

One evening, while delivering wood to a customer in the suburbs of Rizal, Tatay Ramon had a serious accident. When I received the news on the phone, I was stunned and rushed straight to the hospital. In the emergency room, he lay motionless, blood staining his shirt. I signed the surgery papers with trembling hands, praying every minute.

He was lucky to escape the jaws of death. But when the doctors did the tests, one detail shocked me.

His blood type was completely different from what I had seen in the family records. Curious, I looked through old papers and asked my relatives. After many times of avoiding him, Tita Nena—my aunt—burst into tears and told the whole truth.

It turned out that I was not my mother’s “illegitimate child” as I had thought. I was Tatay Ramon’s biological child.

Before my mother married the rich man I thought was my biological father—Victor Santos—she had a deep love affair with Ramon. When I was born, a paternity test confirmed that Ramon was my real father. But for the sake of family pride and to keep the marriage intact, my mother hid everything. Later, when they divorced, she came back to find him. Knowing the truth, Ramon did not blame me—he just stayed by my side and raised me for many years.

After hearing that, I cried silently. I had called him “stepfather” for 18 years, while he was my biological father—my own flesh and blood. The man who endured so much gossip, silently built a fence to protect me, had chosen to remain silent until today.

When Tatay Ramon woke up after the surgery, I held his hand and choked up:

– Dad, I know everything. I am your biological son, right? Why didn’t you recognize me earlier?

He looked at me for a long time, his eyes filled with tears. His voice was hoarse:
– Because I’m afraid you will suffer, Lia. You are still young, if you know the truth, you will grow up with an inferiority complex. I also don’t want your mother to be looked down upon by the world. She has suffered too much. I would rather accept the title “stepfather” than let you lose your carefree childhood.

He squeezed my hand, his breath was heavy but his eyes were bright:
– To me, bloodline is not important. As long as you live a good life, become a useful person, then any sacrifice is worth it.

My tears welled up. I hugged him, sobbing like a child:
– Dad, from now on I will replace my mother, replace myself, take care of you for the rest of my life. I promise!

He smiled, his eyes sparkling with pride. At that moment, I knew my life was complete.

Now, I not only carry on my shoulders the responsibility of a doctor who saves lives, but also carry in my heart a sacred truth: I am the biological son of Tatay Ramon—the father who chose to sacrifice his entire life so that I could walk with my head held high.

And I promise myself, in the years ahead, I will never let Tatay suffer alone again. Because this fatherly love, no matter how many years it has been hidden, will finally be called by its rightful name.