Teodoro Cecilio

My name is Matt Cecilio and I'm Teddy's Youngest son.

When writing this eulogy I had a hard time thinking of one standout memory that could summarize my time I got to spend with my Dad.

Rather every memory that popped out to me were small ones. Like when he would help me satisfy random food cravings I would have like the 2 weeks back in middle school when all I wanted was gas station nacho or after watching a camping show on tv all I could think of was making smores and he turned on the oven and help me roast marshmallows.

These short moments are what exemplify the type of person My Dad was, Selfless. So selfless even after his decline of his health, he would still ask me if I had enough to eat.

After all he has been through. Multiple surgeries, sudden health scares. He still care about how I was doing rather than himself.

The last memory I wanted to share were the phone calls I had with him for this past year. My Dad was a huge laker fan and we would talk about how the Lakers are doing all the time and at then end of our conversation My Dad without fail would ask me the same thing. " When are you calling to visit?" To which I would respond "I'm coming home for Christmas" .

We'll I'm here Dad,I'm home for Christmas, like I promised. I barely missed you. The Lakers are on a little bit of a losing streak. but they are a young team, they will get better and that Luke Walton is one hell of a coach. I miss you and now worries I'll cheer on our team enough for the both of us. Rest in Peace Dad. I love you.

Hi Everyone,

For those of you that don't know me, I'm TJ - Teddy's eldest son.

First, I'd like to thank all of you for your love and support in joining us to celebrate and remember the life of my dad - Teddy.

I'll remember my dad as the man who taught me that one of the most important assets to help get you through life is having a sense of humor. He was your classic little man, big personality kind of guy that always had a joke or wise crack ready in his back pocket. Even if the joke was a bit corny - with his over the top delivery - you couldn't help but chuckle.

But besides all the laughs he was a man who made sacrifices and hard choices so that his family would be better off. He left a successful career as a newsman in the Phillippines so that his future children could have the privileges associated with living in America. Needless to say it paid off and I couldn't be more grateful.

The last several years of his life showed me the kind of strong will and shear toughness he possessed. I couldn't imagine the pain he would be in yet he still tried his best to be the light-hearted guy that we all knew. When I'd ask him about the pain, his default answer would be, " it's not too bad." What a trooper.

So id just like to thank you dad for being there for our family and doing what you could to give us the opportunity to live the life that we want. Thanks for showing everyone around you that a good laugh, a positive attitude, and a kind heart goes a long way. I love you, I'll miss you. Rest in Peace.

Veteran newsman Teodoro “Teddy” Cecilio passed away Friday (Saturday morning in Manila) after a long bout with illness. He was 72.

At the time of his passing, Cecilio was bureau manager of the California-based Mabuhay News Service (MNS), which provides news and other stories to different Filipino newspapers in the United States.

A proficient writer in both English and Filipino, Cecilio started his career as secretary to the mayor of Balagtas, Bulacan in the 1970s before working for We Forum, the lone opposition paper during the Martial Law era.

From 1979 to 1982, he was news editor of We Forum before he transferred to the Philippines News Agency (PNA), where he worked as city editor from 1982 to 1985.

In June 1985, he moved to the United States and worked as editor-in-chief of the Philippine American Free Press until 1987.

From 1993 to 1995, he was US bureau manager and chief correspondent of the PNA and foreign information officer of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles from June to October 1996.

Cecilio returned to newspaper publishing in 1998, working as editor-in-chief for Taliba, a weekly newspaper circulated in the Filipino community in California.

In 1993 while working for Taliba, he started the Mabuhay News Service, which manages the distribution of news and information from the Philippines and other parts of the US to about 45 Filipino-American community newspapers in North America.

From 2000 to 2001, he worked as editor-in-chief for Ang Peryodiko, a weekly newspaper circulated in the Filipino-American community in California.

Cecilio also wrote a weekly syndicated column, entitled “Bottomline” for MNS and published by all Filipino community newspapers in the US.

Cecilio also manned the sports desk of the Manila Times and Balita in the 1970s and covered several local and international events, including the world-renowned Thrilla in Manila in 1975.

He was also a director of the National Press Club (NPC).

He is survived by wife Aileen and children, Theodore James, Joanna, Matthew, Deanna, Paulito, Ronald, Ferdie and Fitzgerald.