Tributes

Gloria C. Macalinao, age 81, joined her Creator on Sunday, April 30 2023, after battling pancreatic cancer for more than two years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Florencio and Josefa Caisip; and her sister, Angelina (& Wilfredo). Gloria is survived by her husband, Avelino; her children, “Tong”, “Gay” & Joon, “Jay”, and “Yong” & Karen; grandchildren, AJ, Luna and Arlo; her siblings, Zenaida, Benjamin (& Tess), Celia, and Cris (&Jo); and numerous nieces and nephews. Gloria was fondly remembered by most people as the big sister of the community, hence she was known as Ating (Big sister) Glo. She started her career as a teacher and eventually became a head teacher in one of the local Barrios of her hometown. As an educator, she was famous for being a major disciplinarian. However, her strictness did not drive away students, instead, it endeared her to many, including her colleagues. She has taught hundreds of children along the way, having served for the Hermosa (Bataan, Philippines) School District for almost twenty years. Six months shy of getting a full retirement, she ventured into business and became successful in operating a poultry and agricultural supply, then as a dealer of LPG for a few more years before she decided to migrate to the US. As a homemaker, she loved cooking and has collected volumes of newspaper clippings of Filipino recipes, which she compiled over the last few decades. Her specialty included Okoy (shrimp fritters), Filipino BBQ, different kinds of pansit, and kalamays of assorted varieties. She also played a major role in the local church, becoming the unofficial sole Mother Butler of St. Peter de Verona parish for many years, and the caretaker of its patron saint, Apong San Pedro. This role endeared her to many people, old and young alike. She was a big driving force of the parish but she maintained a low profile as she did not like to be at the center of attention. This was the reason why she kept her illness a secret to many because she did not want to be seen as someone who sought out pity from friends and even from her family. Her battle was long and hard but she was very resilient through it all. She even had to undergo chemotherapy during the pandemic- and having a debilitating disease when her immune system was compromised proved to be a challenge, yet she kept pushing through and fought hard to keep “death” at bay. During these times, she was able to check off things from her bucket list: visit Elvis Presly’s birthplace in Memphis, Tennessee (she is a big Elvis fan, obviously); meet up with her siblings in California; finish as much Korean TV series as she could; visit famous pilgrimage sites in South Texas; spend time with family at the beach and feast on famous and hearty restaurants in Texas. Gloria, though not physically with us anymore, would appreciate it very much if you keep her memory and legacy alive. Please remember her every time you take a bite of a crispy Okoy or every time you celebrate the Hermosa Town Fiesta on the 3rd of May. Remember her when you see Elvis on your TV or hear his song on the radio. For her students, do not forget her when you see your graduation photo. For the parish, do not forget her when you see Apong San Pedro during his procession. For the Hermosenos, do not forget her when you see pass by the house she grew up in. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M followed by the Memorial Service at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Mission Park Medical Center, 8332 Fredericksburg Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to any of your favorite charity or to The Parish of St. Peter of Verona in Hermosa, Bataan, Philippines. She would love that. When you are reading this, she is probably smiling in heaven because she knows that you will keep her in your heart. Do not feel sad for her because the pain is gone. Now, she is one with the angels where she belongs. She is probably making pansit for all of them.

Tributes

Gloria C. Macalinao

December 13, 1941 - April 30, 2023