3. The handsome prince Jacinto Galan Luna was born on 02/10/1882 We referred to him as “ApungCinto” (aa-pong)
4. and her charming princess EncarnacionGaviola born 10/20/1906 We called her “Inang” (e-nung)
5. About grandpa, ApungCinto ApungCintowas known for being an intelligent man, one who was a disciplinarian, and one who pushed education to his children. He grew up in the Spanish era, hence spoke the language fluently. Grandpa, was the only music professor in their town. He taught from violin, piano, name it, he did it all. However, when it came to his children, he waited until each of them were inspired to learn on their own. Some picked it up while others chose not to. To add to their livelihood, he also ran a pawn shop from their home. Town people would hawk from jewelries (to you “bling-bling family members, you know where you got it from). In addition, some of the town people would hawk their land. This is how grandpa was able to acquire many properties at the end. .
6. More about grandpa, ApungCinto When it came to spending money, he was very conservative even to the point that he would hold back giving lunch allowances to his children. However, if his children wanted to buy books, they didn’t need to ask twice as reading was one of his passion. Needless to say, ApungCintoprovided very well for his family until the Japanese invasion of WWII where they had to leave everything behind to move to another barrio. After the war, grandpa had to sell some of the properties he acquired in order to get back on their feet. Grandpa passed away in 1950 at the age of 68. Sadly, none of us grandchildren got to meet him and the only photo shown earlier is our only memory of him.
7. Our grandma, Inang Inang was one devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a stay home mom for many years until the Japanese invasion and after grandpa passed away. Grandma was described to be a very simple lady. She rarely left the house except to go to the market or church.
8. More about Inang Inang was always surrounded with her grandchildren who loved her dearly. The house was never empty, especially on weekends. Would you believe she enjoyed watching boxing! Every Friday night, you know exactly where to find her and that was in front of the Television watching a fight. It was hilarious just seeing her gestures.
9. More about Inang Ok, so she had one bad habit and that was chewing betel nut with some wild leaves, called nga-nga. Here’s a picture of her preparing her nga- nga. As Inang got older, she enjoyed playing cards and she would wound up neighbors to play in the backyard until she could no longer stay awake. Inangpassed away on 12/28/1985 and we’re very blessed to have spent many years with her.
11. Veneranda “Maring” Venerandawas born on 11/14/1924. Being the eldest, she played a major role in helping grandma take care of her brothers and sisters. She was one of the children who learned how to play the piano. Venerandaalso performed on many musical stage plays in town, with her younger brother, Dading, to bring in extra income for the family. During WWII, she and grandma set up a sidewalk stand to sell food to the Japanese, food such as hard boiled eggs, tomatoes and watermelon. So, how did Maringmeet the love of her life? Leon Otis Beck, a Private in the U.S. Army and a handsome Americano escaped from the Japanese during the Bataan Death March and found a home with our grandparents. The two fell in love and were married on August 15, 1944.
12. Veneranda “Maring” Veneranda and Leon were devoted parents and provided well for their children. Leon retired as a city worker while Veneranda retired from an electronics company in Silocon Valley. In 1970, the two and their children opened their doors to two brothers; Tony, Dading, and two nieces, Magara and I, to come to the U.S. We will forever be grateful Leon passed away on 12/28/1999 and Veneranda on 12/01/2009 Read this amazing history on Tito Leon http://www.zambalesforum.org/rebirth.htm Tita was the first of the Luna to migrate to the United States in April 1945. Together they raised four children: Vyvian Marty Leon Mark Tito has 6 grand children and 8 great grandchildren
13. Diosdado “Dading or Sol” Dadinggraduated from the Feati University in Manila and became one of their outstanding math professor. He also became one of Grandpa’s best violinist. He migrated in the U.S. in 1970 and worked for Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in San Francisco until his retirement in late 1990’s. Him and Shirley are now residing in the Philippines. His children are: Alvin Alma Ray Jennifer Patrick Christopher Nora Portia Tito has 16 grand children and 7 great grandchildren Dading was born on 11/30/1926. His wife is Shirley Gonzales.
14. Anthony “Tony” His wife, Viringdid her share of work by selling fresh fish in the market and working part time as Chief Traffic Collector under the direction of the town mayor. Tony first migrated in the U.S. in 1970 and then returned in 1982 with his wife and most of his children. It took many years for the rest of the children to come to U.S. but they all made it. They both reside in Sacramento, CA. Together they raised 11children: Magara Antonio Jr. Chito Arnel Manny Alan Angie Lito Pura Jim Erwin They have 27 grand children and 6 great grandchildren Tony was born on 01/17/1930 and is married to Virginia Razon. He retired as an educator in the Philippines; from elementary teacher to school principal to school district supervisor. He too became one of Grandpa’s best violinist.
15. Felices “Cesing” My parents were married at young age and both worked full time; him as a bookkeeper and collector for a local bakery and later moved to managing a local theatre in while mom owned a clothing store in the town market. All of my brothers and sisters were blessed to live with grandma, Inang, since we were little. Mom and dad migrated to the U.S. in the early 1980’s and his first job was working a galley at the NAVY base in Maryland until he moved to California. He then worked for an electronics company and Fuji Film in Fremont until retirement while mom worked for JC Penny. They now reside in Hayward, CA. There are seven of us children. Lolita Anthony Leona Albert Lorna Arthur Ariel They have 19 grand children and 6 great grandchildren Cesing was born on 11/29/1931 and is married to Alicia “Ising” Reyes (my parents). Growing up, Dad shared many stories about living thru WWII and the hard life their family endured.
17. Dario “Doring” He then worked as one of the few National Statistician of the Philippines and worked for many years as the Executive Director for the Bureau of Census of the Philippines until his retirement. Doringwas known to be the comedian of the family and he can make you laugh until you see tears rolling. He was one devoted and loving father and his children miss him very much. Tito Doring passed away 09/28/2008 His family all reside in the Manila metropolitan area,. Their children are: Brenda Gianna Darius Janus Gretchen Enderson Paolo Dario was born on 01/27/1936 and married to SolomeTaguba. He was known to be one intellectual student who completed his elementary grades in four years vs. six. Genius? Definitely. He received his BS Degree in Deodetic Engineering from the University of the Philippines under full scholarship. They have 7 grand children and 1 great grandchild
18. Patricia “Pat or Patsy” Whenever you see her, the smile on her face is from ear to ear. She was one of siblings who learned to play the violin as well. She and her husband worked for the government in Bataan until their retirement and provided well for their family. They reside in Balanga, Bataan. Both travel back and forth to the U.S. and Paris to visit their daughters. Together they raised three children: Sheryl Darwin Alma Lou Patsywas born on 02/10/1938 and is married to Ernesto Almario. The two met at her brother’ Tony’s house in Guagua, Pampanga and ran into each other in Manila the following day and that was the beginning of their love story. Similar to her brother, Doring, Patsy is also one intellectual person. She too was excelled during elementary school. She earned BSBA, in Accounting from the University of the East in Manila. They have 7 grand children and 1 great grandchild
19. and the youngest of them all…Zenaida “Zeny” Zeny earned her BS degree in Education from Guagua National College. She then taught for three years until her brought her to the land of opportunity…U.S.A. Peping retired from the U.S. NAVY after 22 years and continued his career with the U.S. Postal Service for another 20 years. Zeny worked for Woolworth’s for 18 years and then at an imaging center in Fremont for five years. Both of them are gourmet cooks so if you plan on visiting them, go hungry:o). They found Las Vegas to be their retirement home. They raised three children: Nancy Joanne Mark Zenywas born on 05/14/1944 and is married to Jose “Peping” Reyes, who happens to be my mom’s brother. They have 7 grand children
31. Ready to meet the rest of the Luna family? See you all on September 11. It’s gonna be a blast!Hint! We’ll be playing family games, let’s see how much you’ll remember of this brief introduction :o)
