Fathers will always be a source of unwavering support, words of encouragement, endless sacrifices, and cheesiest dad jokes (which we secretly love). And though Father’s Day is usually celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June, showing them our gratitude and appreciation knows no time or limit.

And if there aren't enough stories to make you love your Dad over and over, here are some inspiring stories from some of our Allstar heads of the household, whose values and passion radiate both at the workplace and at home.

A FATHER’S FAITH

Iriz Rodrin, Cabin Crew

Struggling to make ends meet, Iriz immediately opened himself to new opportunities, having fewer flights as a cabin crew. Iriz was temporarily assigned as a Teleport* rider, occasionally delivering goods to and from AirAsia partners. He also opened a small motorcycle shop to earn extra income, and as if two jobs were not challenging enough, he works for his sister’s project doing construction work. All this, for his family who he will never fail to take care of.

“Life these days is extra tough so you need to put a lot of effort in making sure you overcome the odds. When you are a Dad, you think mostly about your child and your family as a whole. You will swallow every piece of pride to give them a comfortable life,” said Iriz.

Though his weeks are busy juggling three jobs, the changes the pandemic brought to Iriz’s life allowed him to value time and health. He is able to manage his schedule, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Time has always been something Iriz commits to his family. Giving them his time and presence also allows him to take care of his family, by prioritizing their health as a family.

Despite daily challenges, Iriz sets a good example to his children in words and in actions. As he is spending more time with them as they grow up, he makes sure that he communicates more and well with them, and is mindful of his actions, aiming to be the best role model for his children.

For Iriz, staying positive and keeping his faith is equally important as working hard. This mindset has allowed him to never give up and keep his spirits high knowing that he will be able to travel with his family soon one day.

A FATHER’S GUIDANCE

Captain Darren Acorda , Chief Pilot Training and Standards

As the Chief Pilot for Training and Standards with over eleven years of experience in AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia Philippines, Captain Darren manages the day to day training of pilots, cabin crew, dispatchers, and ground staff of the company. His hard work has allowed him to stick through three major economic slumps in his career (Covid being the most recent one).

If there’s one thing Captain Darren loves most about his job, it’s being given the opportunity to teach. He enjoys making things interesting, explaining complex terms and ideas, sharing his knowledge and expertise. By day’s end he feels very fulfilled when trainees are well-versed and are able to apply lessons he taught at the workplace.

“It is never easy to be a Dad to so many dreamers who yearn to make a living for their family through their skill in flying. My role is to guide them efficiently so that they stay proficient and in their tip top shape at all times. What’s nice about my job is that I learn from them too. At the end of the day, it's about building a legacy; sharing your wisdom so that others may be able to inspire more dreamers too,” shared Capt. Darren.

Captain Darren’s teaching extends beyond his trainees onto his own team in properly guiding them. He believes that the team’s productivity is achieved through flexible working conditions and should be measured through accomplished deliverables and end-results. He makes sure that his team has a sense of freedom to work how they want to, managing their own time, in turn making way for work-life balance. He also makes it a point to spend time with them, to catch up on personal matters. With this style of leadership, his team stays productive and never fails to meet his expectations.

As a great mentor at work, so too is he a great one at home. His passion for work is something he wishes to teach his own children, keeping in mind that though change is inevitable, the best way to pull through is to accept the circumstances, accept new ways of working, and be efficient with current conditions.

As an OFW for more than a decade, and busy weeks of employee training, this pandemic has given Captain Darren the opportunity to regain, in some way, lost time with the family who keeps him inspired and motivated to keep going each day.

No doubt, Captain Darren is a family man whose children and colleagues are lucky to experience his guidance and genuine care.

A FATHER’S SELFLESSNESS

Matthew Santos, Cabin Crew

Due to the pandemic, flying days have been reduced which has caused a lot of stress and anxiety for Matthew, a member of AirAsia’s cabin crew for three years now. It was through his family that he has learned to cope. He found ways to support his child by doing part-time jobs and online selling. His role in aviation has honed his interpersonal skills, and sharpened his expertise in customer service as he provides assistance and ensures the safety of all guests.

He also prioritized his emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing which in turn helped him take better care of his family. The pandemic has brought his family closer, and they appreciate the profound understanding they've gained towards each other. Adjustments however, are not new to Matthew who welcomed his first daughter at 20 years old.

Changes in life, may it be stepping into fatherhood or facing a pandemic, has taught Matthew to reexamine his priorities. In the end, his greatest realization is that family matters more than anything in the world, and making memories and giving them his time and attention will always be a top priority. This includes spending more time with his father who he has spent more time with lately, mentoring him to be a disc jockey.

Matthew is driven by his purpose, and that is to support and provide for his family with all that he’s got. They are his source of strength and bravery, and he will willingly go through all the changes life will bring out of his deep love for them.

TATAY, PAPA, DAD, WE LOVE YOU!

They say Fathers don't always tend to be emotional. We don’t usually see them weep or seek comfort from other people. They, too, get tired of the day’s work. But no matter how exhausting and consuming life challenges may be, they will never get tired of being a good provider, a loving husband, and a caring father. They are not perfect and never will be but they will always want the best for you.

And to those who lost their Tatay, Daddy, Papa or husbands, continue to remember their legacy and live their dream because more than wanting you to succeed in life, they want you to be happy.

AirAsia celebrates the hard working fathers who work around the clock to support their teams and families. Thank you for the work you do, and for your values that keep AirAsia united as one family.

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