Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/global-filipino/01/08/elayan1.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA – For Elayan Kris Allafi Jr. the New Year certainly brought good news to him—developments that he has been anticipating for years.Allafi Jr. received a call from a man that could be his long-lost biological father, a Saudi Arabian national whom he had not seen since birth.&quot;Nang tumawag siya sa akin, saka ko lang nalaman na alam daw niya na nagdalang tao ang aking ina, at ito din ang dahilan ng kanyang pagpapadala ng suporta. Ngunit hindi ito tumagal,&quot; Allafi Jr. said. According to his uncle, his father only sent money to his mother twice.Allafi Jr. bears the same name as his father.His mother and father met through a common friend in the Philippines in the 80s. But the relationship did not prosper and his mother was left with a child.Allafi Jr. was born in in Tarlac, Tarlac City. But he spent his childhood in Isabela. He said growing up was a bit challenging. He felt he was different, being a son of a foreigner.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/global-filipino/01/08/elayan2.jpg"/></figure></div>&quot;Nalaman ko agad, kasi simula nung bata pa ako ang tawag na sa akin eh, &#x27;Arabiano&#x27; o isang anak Arabo at hindi naman nilihim sa akin ng nanay ko, lola, lolo, at mga tito ko,&quot; he said.&quot;Sa sitwasyon ko bilang lumaki ng walang ama, ay hindi ganun kadali kasi madaming katanungan at mga tukso simula nung bata ako, kaya lagi na lang akong pinagtatanggol ng aking lolo at mga titos.&quot;Although he grew up fatherless, he had plenty of father figures.&quot;Una sa lahat, ang aking lolo at mga kapatid ng nanay ko. Napakabait nila sa akin. So kung tatay lang, madami akong father figures. Pero syempre, nandoon pa rin ang katanungan sa aking sarili,&quot; he said.But he remained curious about his father while growing up.&quot;Ano kaya itsura ng aking ama, matangkad din kaya siya na tulad ko (6&#x27;3&quot; tall)?. Mataba o payat? Maputi o maitim? Madaming katanungan. Naiisip din kaya niya ako? Naiingit ako sa ibang bata na my nilakhang tunay na ama,&quot; he said.The 31-year old is based in Malaysia with his mother. He requested to no longer mention the name of his mother who now has a family in Malaysia.&quot;Simula pa lang ng bata ako, gusto ko na makita tatay ko. Noon nagkaroon ako ng chance ng makarating ng Maynila, ginamit ko yung pagkakataon na yun para makapunta sa Saudi embassy, siguro 15 years ago,&quot; he said.But years passed with no news until he tapped social media to widen his search for his father. It was there that he came across kindhearted strangers who offered sympathy, advice and even helped him track his father.He is also thankful to <a href="http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/859061">Arab News</a> for publishing his stories online.&quot;Karapatan ko naman sigurong malaman ang aking ama. Gusto ko lang makumpleto ang aking pagkatao at wala na siguro pang ibang dahilan,&quot; he stressed.During the conversation he had with his father, he was told that the Saudi Arabian national was willing to take a DNA test.Allafi Jr. is not in favor of the DNA test plan even though he is 100 percent sure that he is really his father.&quot;Gusto niya yung sample ko ang ipadala sa kanya at sa Dubai, labas ng Saudi daw gagawin, at aabutin ng isang buwan ang proseso. Hindi pabor sa akin pero wala akong magagawa hindi ako mayaman para makarating sa Saudi o sa Dubai,&quot; he said.Whatever the outcome, he said he is ready.&quot;I believed in the Creator. Allah knows everything and knows what&#x27;s inside my heart,&quot; he said.For those in the same boat as him, he has this to say:&quot;Para po sa mga naghahanap din ng pamilya, pagpatuloy niyo lang po. Walang impossible sa Panginoon. Gawin nyo lahat ng dapat nyo gawin sa natutugmang pagkakataon at panahon. Manalangin at humingi ng gabay sa Kanya. Madali na po ang lahat ngayon my social media at madaming magagandang loob na hindi natin inaasahan na makakatulong sa atin,&quot; he said.

Allafi Jr. finally received a call from a man that could be his long-lost biological father, a Saudi Arabian national whom he had not seen since birth.

After 15 years, Pinoy's search for father gains ground

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After 15 years, Pinoy's search for father gains ground

Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2016 08:21 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 09, 2016 01:20 PM PHT

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