Dad goes viral after dressing his son as a mermaid on his birthday: 'Pinanganak kang lalaki pero pusong babae'

A father recently went viral on social media after granting his son's wish of becoming a mermaid on his birthday.

On Facebook, Saturday, John Alexis Avestrus shared a photo of him carrying his son, Santino, who was dressed in rainbow-colored mermaid costume. In front of them were mermaid-themed cakes and cupcakes.

He also penned a short but heartfelt message for his son, which touched many netizens.

"Pinanganak kang [lalaki] pero pusong babae," the proud father began.
"[Hindi] ako magician para gawin kang iha[,] pero mahal kita kaya suporta ako sa kung ano man ang gusto mo," he said.

"Ayan na ang wish mo[,] isa ka ng sirena," he added. "'Wag mo [hayaang] ibaba nila ang bandera mo."

In the comment section, netizens couldn't help but commend Avestrus for his heartwarming act towards his son.

In a short exchange with GMA Integrated News, Avestrus said he wanted nothing more but to fulfill his son's wish to dress up and swim as a mermaid during a joint birthday celebration with Santino's younger brother, Aaron.

As of writing, Avestrus' post has garnered more than 159,000 reactions, over 38,000 shares, and 6,000 comments.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News