Like father, like son is a popular idiom, although we all know it does not always hold true. Stephanie Fsadni speaks to a few personalities to find out whether they have anything in common with their well-known fathers and what bonds them together.

Andrea CassarTV personality and entrepreneur, daughter of entrepreneur Tony Cassar

How would you describe your relationship with your father?

The first word that springs to mind is: special. The more I get to know him, the more I nurture a great sense of respect towards the man he is. As I, like everyone else, fight my way through life, the more I find myself asking the question: what would my father do in this situation?

What do you admire most in him?

It is very hard to pinpoint a specific attribute. His work ethic and ‘old school’ sense of duty are well known to anyone who crosses his path. However, the one factor that has always struck a chord with me is his immense humility. My line of work has exposed me to many a great man, but to date, I have never met a person operating in the business world who has such a great sense of humility.

What important life lessons did he teach you?

Honesty, loyalty and generosity have always been high on my father’s agenda. But as I have already mentioned, his sense of humility is nothing short of astoun­ding. I find that he considers his status in life purely as a gift and makes sure not to forget his humble beginnings.

Do you have the same personality?

I would love to say that we are very similar. Truth be told, every day I strive to assimilate all the character traits my father embodies. While work ethic, honesty and humility are all commendable attributes, generosity is another aspect that is very close to my heart. I am sure my many visits to religious communities in Africa have helped to instil in me this honourable human trait.

In what aspects would you like to be more like him?

This is probably the easiest question yet – an unfailing sense of positivity. Simply put, my father has always seen the glass as half full, not half empty. We have lived through situations in our business life where I thought all was lost. However, my father always kept strong and managed to see through all the turmoil. At the end of the day, his positive outlook has seen us through the roughest of times and left a lasting effect on my perspective on life.

Was he always pleased with your career choices?

I was always given a free hand to venture and try out different avenues, till I naturally found myself following in his footsteps. The one thing he has always been adamant about is that I gain work experience outside of our company and industry. With hindsight, I now understand that his idea was that I expose myself to different environments and mentalities. More importantly, I am sure he wanted me to operate in situations devoid of any privileges and preconceptions. In a nutshell, I reckon he wanted me to be left to my own devices, while in the process hopefully getting to know my strengths and weaknesses.

What will you always be grateful to your father for?

For being who he is… everything about him is special... he is my dad!

What is the best or most memorable experience you shared with your father?

I know it is highly cliché and probably very predictable, but it has to be the day he walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. I vividly recall the reassuring clasp of his hand as we walked a seemingly interminable aisle, all the while struggling to keep a sure footing: unrepeatable emotions.

Steve FarrugiaAirport Impressions drummer; son of actor Joe ‘Id-Dulli’ Farrugia

How would you describe your relationship with your father?

My father is the one person in my life I always look up to; I hope I become more like him.

What do you admire most in him?

Although he is not into modern music, he is very young at heart.

What important life lessons did he teach you?

That you can’t fulfil your dreams without working hard.

Do you have the same personality?

So and so… My father is very calm, sometimes too much. It’s the only reason we fight. Other than that, I am as careless as he is. In fact, my mother has a lot of cleaning up to do after the two of us!

In what aspects would you like to be more like him?

I wish I were as calm as he is.

Was he always pleased with your career choices?

Definitely.

What will you always be grateful to your father for?

Everything he did, especially how hard he worked to give us the life we have.

What is the best or most memorable experience you shared with your father?

Once we were asked to take part in a local TV show. It was then that I really realised how my father loves to make others smile. That is something I love about him.

Ruben ZahraComposer; son of author Trevor Zahra

How would you describe your relationship with your father?

Fraternal rather than paternal. I consider him as my best friend.

What do you admire most in him?

His capacity to empathise and support.

What important life lessons did he teach you?

My father’s passion for Maltese culture certainly rubbed off on me. He does it through literature, I do it through music.

Do you have the same personality?

We share the same artistic flair… but we have very different personalities.

In what aspects would you like to be more like him?

My father is great with people. He is social, likes to be around people and people like to be around him. I am more of a recluse. So I guess I’d like to be a little bit more social.

Was he always pleased with your career choices?

Yes, he was always supportive.

What will you always be grateful to your father for?

I will always be grateful for his having introduced me to all sorts of cultural experiences: classical music, theatre, literature and cinema. I guess he was my first mentor and I don’t think I would be a composer had it not been for him.

What is the best or most memorable experience you shared with your father?

Waking up early in summer when it’s still dark to go for a walk down Marsascala Bay and watch the sun rise.

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