Marino Arroyo Balaan

Marino Arroyo Balaan, 89, died at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD on July 13, 2016. He was born in Banate, in the province of Iloilo Philippines to Serapion Bala-an and Rosela Arroyo. He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology.  He was one of the early leaders in the field of Community Development as a Provincial Development Officer in the province of Albay, Philippines. He was sent by the Philippine government and sponsored by the USAID to attend graduate courses in community development at Michigan State University.  He joined Esso Philippines as its public relations officer, and later joined the  Philippine National Oil Co. After retirement he did consulting work for local and international development projects.

Marino will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife Marina Regalario Relato  children Dr. Marvin Balaan married to Dr. Susan Weber, and their children Charles, Emma, and Christopher; daughter Marilyn and her husband Ray Balcita; daughter Marietta, son Dr. Marlon Balaan and his wife Dr. Erlinda Sadsad; daughter Marian Rose and her husband Scott Adkins; daughter Marie Liza and her husband Tsuyoshi Kanazawa and their daughter Alissa; and daughter in-law Riza Balaan married to Marino Jr. (deceased) and their children Rachel, Mitchelle and Kevin and their daughter Mikaela,  and Racquel (Kelly).

Marino enjoyed working with people from all walks of life in the course of his career, which included coordination of the US Peace Corps volunteers in his province.  He was an avid sportsman when he was still able, and active in the local Filipino (Bicol) organization in the Washington DC area. He treasured his wife, children and grandchildren, and most of all his personal faith in our Lord through the Catholic Church. 

Friends may call at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853 on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 2 pm.  Private burial will follow on Tuesday, July19, 2016.