“My dad is very disciplined. He showed it to us everyday and he also disciplined us his children, the German way,” says Croatian model, actress, dancer, and singer Marija Debelic of her father.

While strict and conservative, Marija says her dad is also kind, fun and understanding. He is a man of his word and he will do anything to give the best for Marija and her siblings Ana, 24, and Ante Toni, 18. His work ethics are remarkable and he always had good intentions.

“He raised me to be a very strong person and not to give up. He raised me in a strict way, I have to say. What’s most important for him is hard work, discipline, discipline, and discipline. And to be fair to people,” adds Marija, who graduated cum laude in Economics and Business Management.

Growing up, Marija admits she was not that close to her dad. But when she got to her twenties, they became good friends.

“When I was younger, we weren’t that close. When I was 22, I experienced the hardest time in my life and he was really there. Now, I can say that Dad is my great friend. We can talk about anything at this point. Everyday, our relationship is getting stronger and stronger,” shares the 26-year-old who starred in the TV drama “Be My Lady” and in the films “Art of Ligaw” and “Beauty and the Bestie.”

Marija’s dad also taught her extreme sports like windsurfing, playing football, snowboarding, cliffdiving and many more.

“I love going sailing with my dad. We both love summer and sea and sailing. When I can, I will buy him a sailing boat and a nice oldtimer car or muscle car,” says Marija, who just recorded her newest, Tagalog song “Dame” and is working on an all-Tagalog album.

This Father’s Day, her only wish for her dad is to “relax more and enjoy more travel.”