By Tina Mata’afa-Tufele Elise
In Samoa, the fanfare surrounding Father’s Day pales in comparison to Mother’s Day and most likely it is not because the men of the family are viewed as less important as their child-bearing counterparts.
The reason could very well be it’s because men are so much simpler.
Men don’t want all that women want – the flowers, the candy, new clothes and gifts – tangible proof that they are loved an adored by their spouses, sons and daughters.
Fathers are most grateful for their role as the head of the family, for a loving spouse, the gift of children, a special day just for them and the opportunity to attend church on Sunday to give thanks to GOD for all of it.
At least that is the case for several men, fathers of Alamagoto village who were gracious enough to share their thoughts with Newsline Samoa the day before Father’s Day Sunday.
For 53-year-old Taiulu Lemamea, a father of four children, there is only one thing on his wish list.
“I already told my wife, I just want one thing for Father’s Day. I really want her to get me some new shoes, shoes that will make me taller,” Mr. Lemamea said with a loud laugh.
“You know there are shoes like that for men. I told my wife Tutaima I want shoes that make me taller so I can wear them to Church. I actually saw some so maybe in a little bit we’ll go to the shop to see if we can find them and get some food.”
He operates a taxi cab to provide for the family but in a change of routine, he was spending time with his wife, his three daughters and son on Saturday afternoon.
The father of four joked about wanting new shoes but in reality he wasn’t planning or expecting anything special for Father’s Day.
“We’re not preparing anything special really. The main thing for me is I’ll give thanks to the Lord that I have lived to see another’s Father’s Day,” said Mr. Lemamea.
“I have my health and strength. There is nothing special. All I have to say is give thanks to the Lord that we have this gift of another’ Father’s Day.”
The preparations they were making on Saturday were for Church.
Mr. Lemamea holds a calling at Alamagoto Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He serves as Second Counselor in the Bishopric.
His father Ofoia Ofisa Tuimalatu, who is close to 90-year-old and lives in Brisbane, Australia, was on his mind.
“I want to take this opportunity to wish all fathers of Samoa a blessed happy Father’s Day. I also want to wish my father who is still alive and living in Brisbane, Australia He is almost 90 years old! I wish my father a blessed happy Father’s Day,” said Mr. Lemamea.
The Second Counselor for Alamagoto Ward was not the only Alamagoto father preparing for Church.
Grandfather Pakolo Victor, 63, said Church is a part of his Father’s Day plans too. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Sinamoga.
The father of six children, four boys and two girls, said he was not looking forward to anything special for Father’s Day either.
What is most important for him is to spend time with his wife Pele Victor and their four children who live in Samoa.
The grandfather is retired and he owns Apia City Cab Taxi Stand.
Two of his sons and his two daughters live in Samoa; one son is off island in Australia for seasonal work and another son lives in American Samoa.
“Nothing special at all for me, the only thing is: praise the Lord that I have lived to see another Father’s Day,” said Mr. Victor.
“The only thoughts I have is to give thanks that God that He has blessed me with another Father’s Day.”
He had no special food requests and no wish for gifts.
“No, I have no wish for any special food or anything. Whatever we have for Father’s Day I will receive with hearty thanks because that is what God provides. Of course I am going to Church. I must go to Church every Sunday,” Mr. Victor said.
His only advice for young fathers: “It is not about a gift. If you receive no gift, you be happy that you have a wife and you have your children.”
“Now if you do receive something for Father’s Day, be grateful, be happy. There is no reason to frown,” said Mr. Victor.
“There is no reason to be unhappy if you have no gift. See it’s called Father’s Day but it really is no different from any other day of the year. All days are the same, everyday is a gift. It should be a day that you put away the beer, spend time with your family and abstain from drinking for Sunday and Father’s Day.”
Father of five, Aufa’i Taumaloto Malo, 55, said he will also attend Church.
He is a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) that lies at the boundary of Alamagoto and Vaimea.
“There will be nothing special. We will have food and I will eat until I am filled,” said Mr. Malo who has one son and four daughters.
Four of his children live in New Zealand and one of his children lives in Samoa.
Mr. Malo will celebrate his 56th birthday on 20 August, 2022
“I will accept anything,” he said.
“Fathers, be good, go to Church and stop drinking beer.”
The primary thing, said Mr. Malo, is to give thanks for another Father’s Day Sunday.
“Because you never know if you’ll see another Father’s Day so we give thanks for the day,” he said.
“Give thanks to God for His love and goodness that we have lived to see this day.”
Blessed Happy Father’s Day, Samoa!