✍︎ Jayson Acabo
“Inatay” is a Filipino term that combines the words ina (mother) and tatay (father), describing a parent who fulfills both roles in raising a family.
For Wyndell Tapere, becoming an “inatay” was never part of the plan.
His story began during his college years at the University of San Jose–Recoletos, where he met Vanessa through their shared passion for karate. What started as a common interest eventually blossomed into a lasting relationship that led them to marriage and the creation of a family. Together, they were blessed with five children: Adrianne Wayne, Carl Wade, twins Tish Wendy and Trix Wendy, and their youngest, John Wyndell.
Like many families, they dreamed of building a future together. But life had other plans.
Wyndell’s life changed dramatically when Vanessa passed away at the age of 35 due to lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. Her death left not only a grieving husband but also five children who suddenly found themselves without a mother.
In an instant, Wyndell was forced to take on both parental roles—the haligi ng tahanan and the ilaw ng tahanan. He became both father and mother to his children.
Despite the overwhelming loss, Wyndell knew he had to remain strong. In an interview with SunStar Cebu, he shared that he needed to keep himself together because if he broke down, there would be no one left for his children to lean on.
As a single parent, he learned to balance discipline with compassion. He remained firm when enforcing rules, maintaining his “no is a no” approach as a father. At the same time, he embraced the nurturing responsibilities once carried by Vanessa, providing emotional support, comfort, and care for his children as they coped with their loss.
Beyond the emotional burden came the challenge of providing for the family. Wyndell had to juggle parenting with the demands of his career. He serves as a Clerk of Court at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Moalboal, requiring him to travel from their hometown of San Fernando during the workweek. The distance means spending weekdays away from his children, making weekends especially valuable as opportunities to reconnect, create memories, and strengthen their bond.
While many people eventually seek companionship after losing a spouse, Wyndell chose a different path. He admitted that he had set aside his romantic life to focus entirely on raising his children. For him, parenthood is a lifelong commitment, and his children’s success serves as his greatest source of motivation. He asks for no grand reward—only the chance to see them grow into happy and successful individuals.
Wyndell Tapere’s story is a testament to the quiet strength of single parents who carry the weight of two roles without complaint. His journey shows that fatherhood is not measured solely by provision, nor motherhood solely by nurture, but by a love willing to endure sacrifice for the sake of family.
His life reminds us that the greatest gift a single father can give his children is the assurance that love remains steadfast, no matter how difficult life becomes.
REFERENCES:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/wyndell-tapere-a-single-dads-story
