My Dad Never Admits He's Wrong: A Daughter's Frustration

Guys, have you ever felt that gigil—that intense frustration mixed with a bit of exasperated affection—towards someone you deeply care about? For me, that feeling is often directed at my dad. He's a great guy, really, but he lives in this world where he's almost always right, or at least, he acts like it. And let me tell you, dealing with someone who never admits they're wrong can be quite the rollercoaster.

Ang Mundo Ni Tatay: Where 'I'm Right' is the Default Setting

So, what’s it like living in Tatay’s World, as I jokingly call it? Imagine a place where every decision is meticulously calculated (in his head, anyway), every opinion is presented as fact, and every disagreement is met with a gentle, but firm, redirection back to his original viewpoint. Sounds exhausting, right? Sometimes, it is! But it's also… well, it's just him. He’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Whether it's the best route to take to avoid traffic (even when Google Maps vehemently disagrees), the perfect way to cook adobo (my mom's recipe is apparently just a suggestion), or the only sensible way to handle a household budget (we won't even go there), he’s got an answer, and it’s usually the right one—at least according to him.

I know, I know, it sounds like I'm painting him as this ultimate know-it-all. And okay, maybe there's a tiny bit of truth to that. But it’s not always intentional. I think a lot of it comes from a place of wanting to protect us, his family. He wants to make sure we're safe, secure, and making the “best” choices. In his mind, admitting he’s wrong might mean he’s failed in some way, and that's a burden he doesn't want to carry. He’s the rock, the foundation, the guy with the plan—and in his plan, there’s not a lot of room for error. This unwavering confidence is admirable in many ways, it's the same drive that pushed him to achieve so much in his life, to provide for our family, and to always strive for the best. But it can also be incredibly frustrating when you’re on the receiving end of his unsolicited wisdom.

Of course, there are times when his certainty clashes with reality in hilarious (and sometimes exasperating) ways. Like the time he insisted on assembling a complicated piece of furniture without reading the instructions, only to end up with extra screws and a slightly wobbly shelf. Or the time he confidently gave directions to a tourist, sending them on a wild goose chase across town (we only found out later, thanks to a very confused and slightly irate Facebook post). In those moments, you can see the flicker of realization in his eyes, the almost imperceptible hesitation before he doubles down on his original assertion. It's like watching a master magician try to recover from a failed trick – a mix of amusement and sympathy washes over you. You want to say, “It’s okay, Dad, we all make mistakes!” But the words often get stuck in your throat because you know that’s not what he wants to hear.

The Gigil is Real: When You Just Want Him to Say 'Oops'

That’s where the gigil comes in. It’s that bubbling frustration, that urge to shake him gently and say,