"If roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it everyday,
But there's an ache within my heart
That will never go away."

With Mom, it's really hard to narrow down a personal favorite memory of mine. I've had good times and bad times with Mom, but I always knew she would love me no matter what.  Unconditional Love... that's what Mom provided our family.  I remember her laughter, her warm smile, her loving hugs, and thoughtfulness. For me, the phrase "you don't appreciate what you have until its gone" couldn't be more true today.  I miss Mom. Of the memories that I have, what I love thinking about most was the way she loved her granddaughter Abigail. She loved spending time with Abby and would spoil her anytime she could.  Whenever Mom went to Barona with Dad, if Mom won money, she'd give Abby a good portion of her winnings and tell her, "Abby, here's your allowance."  There were times when Abby would have more money than me and Cyn!   Beside my love to Mom, giving her a grand child was the best gift I could ever provide her.  With the many smiles I've seen Mom give to everyone, I'll never forget the smile she had on her face when she saw and spoke to Abby after her color guard competition on Saturday, March 24th.  With all the pain Mom was feeling that entire weekend, it was as if all the pain had gone away when she saw Abby. That moment brought so much happiness to my heart and was glad I was there to witness it. It was the last smile that I remember Mom giving. I'll also never forget the very last time she told me, "I love you, son."  Though my heart still misses her everyday, I know that she is now with the Lord our Savior and will continue to smile down on us.  I just want to say, "Mom... Thank you for everything you've ever done for me, our family, and all our friends.  Thank you for always giving us your unconditional love. I love you always and forever".


My fondest memory of Sis. Olympia Alcala was during the Spring of 2008 when we travelled on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Andres Ramos.

We spent five days of excursion to the various holy places and churches recorded in the Holy Bible and on the day before we headed down to Egypt on our way back from Jerusalem to the hotel that we were all staying in, Sis. Oly had an accident crossing the street across the hotel.  The bus they were riding in let them off at the curb across the hotel and Sis. Oly's foot (I do not recall which one) was run over by a Palestinian motorist and sped off.  All we knew was that she was taken to a hospital and was treated for fracture of the foot, and we did not know if both Bro. Pio and her would be able to  continue on with the pilgrimage.

A day after the group left for Egypt through the port of Aqaba with an overnight stay in St. Catherine.  During our transit in Aqaba through the port security, there was another incident that occurred.  One of the lady parishioner had an heart attack and died on the way to a hospital.  The whole group's spirit was down and we all stayed in St. Catherine  overnight with troubled hearts and sadness through the night.

Morning came for us to check out of our rooms, have breakfast, and then continue on our land t ravel to Cairo.  When we all saw Bro. Pio and Sis. Oly standing outside their room on the top tier of the hotel complex, joy and happiness came back to us all.  In my excitement, I rushed up to where they were standing and offered to carry Sis. Oly down to the Cafeteria.  For there were no Porters or wheel chairs around.

Sis Oly and I with Bro. Pio trailing behind were all joking, laughing and teasing her of her strong spirit and determination to complete our pilgrimage to all extent. In spite of her foot injury which was in a cast, Sis. Oly made the most of the remaining time in Egypt: Cairo with its antiquities and its past glory, the pyramids, and Luxor then to the good USofA.

Meeting your boyfriend's family for the first time at Christmas can be frightening and intimidating.  Ninang Oly without skipping a beat, gave me the most heartwarming welcome to the family.  She made sure I felt right at home.  I cherish the small talks we shared and the advice she would give me. I am most grateful for the love she showed my two kids, AJ & Raelyn. Ninang Oly cared for them as if they were her own.  Thank you for opening your heart to AJ & Raelyn - they loved having you as their Nana too!  Her radiant soul that has engulf so many of us will be surly missed!!  Rest in Peace Ninang Oly - XoXo

Lola, I miss you so much!! I miss your presence and what a presence you had on this earth, a power house of a person in a petite stature.  Compassionate, Fierce Advocate, Disciplined, Intelligent, Selfless and Frugal! These are the attributes that come to my mind when I think of you.
When I was a toddler, you and Lolo took care of me, accepting me as your own after the loss of your first child Audrey.
At eight years old, you took me and my two brothers, Ray and Edward, in when our parents divorced. You said we were like wild animals and were determined to teach us discipline, manners, and self-sufficiency so when our dad remarries we would not be a burden.  It was only three years, but those three years help shape the person my brothers and I are today.
Wisdom, knowledge, and purpose, these were the traits you bestowed upon me when I was eighteen years old, taking me into your home at a time I was a lost, angry and confused juvenile delinquent.  The first thing you did was steer me into a job at TRW, working in the electronic industry just as you did.  Following your career footsteps of starting out at in manufacturing and working my way up as a technician and eventually into engineering as a layout designer.  That guidance led to a 25 year career in the semiconductor industry.
At thirty-one years of age, once again you received me with open arms into your home, after a short jaunt in Ohio.  No matter what age I am, thirty-one years old, forty-six, I keep finding myself returning to you.  Our heart-to-heart talks, the love of plants, talking about our day or what to make for dinner, no matter what the conversation, I always enjoyed spending time with you.  Your legacy of always learning and striving to be the best person we can be continues with Gigi, Ariel, Abbey and me.  There will never be another person like you.  You’re my heart Lola, I love you and I miss you so much.


Olympia C. Alcala

In 1966, as a newlywed & fresh from the boat, I met Manang Oly, the 1st woman in the United States.  She shared her angels wings with us.  I was grateful knowing her as our transition & adjustment for us was a bit crazy.  She took care of my 1st born, Arthur, so I can keep my job and we bought our house.  Our family had grown tight considering then.  As for our own family, she was very generous, courageous, talented, and a martyr person.  I admire her wisdom, devotion, and she was a real role model.  Needless to say, she is a wonderful woman.  Her legacy will remain in our hearts forever and I will miss my Manang Oly so much.  She's not only my BFF, but my big sister and I looked to her as my mother.  I love you, Manang Oly.  Till we meet again with the Lord.  RIP.

Pat Santos

Thank You for the Memory of the Heart, OLY
Now that you have joined our Creator, your friends and family go through the valley of weeping,  of sorrow, of pain, of tears and sadness.   Somewhere in the bustle and hustle of our lives,  our thoughts go to many reflections,  "life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments."  A panoramic patchwork in 2016, we took a floating escape to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands. You and Pio  joined us to points of wonder.  You took us to lunch and Ice-Cream extravaganza.   Our Chicago family enjoyed your kindness, generosity and gifts.  A generous heart indeed,  you invited 9 Guests from Chicago on your 85th birthday lobster fest at Barona Resort and Casino.  Most recently, before your demise, you asked if the Chicago family is coming in May to San Diego and  you told me that they are all invited to your 2018 birthday at Barona Resort again.  I told you there are 6 of them plus two friends from L.A. You replied "Ok, OK!"  Yes, we will celebrate. We will all rejoice in the blessings and sing praises even in the bleakness of dark clouds,  the true meaning of gratitude in knowing you.  Complex as sadness may seem, the Lord works marvels for us with healing miracles in remembering you.  Rest in peace, Oly.
From Franco and Baby Jamias-Encarnado


Hi, Mom!  It still hasn't really sunk in that you're gone.  I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but we all miss you like crazy, especially Dad.  He misses you SO much, Mom...and he loved you so much!
I guess the first thing I want to say is THANK YOU!  Thank you for your unconditional love, your generosity, your support, and your selflessness.  I've learned so much from you, Mom...more than you know.  You've been an amazing role model and I pray that I can be even an ounce of the woman that you are and were.  You've impacted so many lives and touched so many hearts.  We will make sure your legacy continues to live.
The second thing I want to say is thank you for always pushing me to do better.  You always told me that you have to put effort into anything you do and I still try to follow that  advice to this day.  Put effort in my studies, my relationship, my job, and life in general.
The third thing is thank you for always trying to keep God in our lives.  I know we may not have always gone to church regularly, but we try to say our prayers and worship Him in our own way.
Lastly, thanks for always being there for us, Mom.  You've done so much for me, Dad, Ariel, Cyn, Dale, and Abby.  Even though we tried to do as much as we could do for you with what we had, we could never repay you.  We can just try to instill the values you used to live a quality life.
Please watch over us, Mom, especially Dad.  He needs you more than ever.  We will do everything we can to be there for him, watch over him, and love him.
Until we see each other again, Mom...we love you forever!!!

Sister Oly, we will miss you a lot. On behalf of the Wednesday Cursillo Ipad Team Reunion, all of us, I am sure will feel the void you have left us. The Wednesdays when you share with us the bible readings,  the times when you cannot understand why we do not get it, the times when you reward us with free coffee and sausage burritos for no apparent reason; the times when you tell us to save the date for your birthday celebration 1 year in advance, that is classic;  the times when you ask " where is everybody?";  the times when you look at your watch and say " let us start the group reunion now"  and we all  ignore you somehow. You get upset. 
Sister Oly these are just to name a few. We will miss all of that. But like the question we had and the non-convincing answers we uttered:  when  will our Creator call us?  We do not know. We all had different answers. It could be today or it could be tommorow.  But one thing remains:  when our mission here on Earth is finished, God will call us .  Your mission is finished Sis Oly, we will miss you. I suppose this is what they call " and you shall live forever."  Your memories will always be with us. May  God bless you and may you rest in peace. 

The Cursillo Wednesday Ipad Team Reunion
Bro Joe and Sister Rhoda. 


     It was in 1978 when we just moved to Rancho Penasquitos that we met Oly and Pio at our Catholic Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. We were still a small community then that we got to know everybody by name. We were very involved with the church activities and our children shared the same high school with Gigi and Ariel. As I reflect on our lives, Oly is the epitome of a very caring, loving and generous wife and mother and friend, a model for all of us. I would say, "She's been there, done that." living the life of a very good Christian. We joined the Filipino Cursillo movement together, were Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and she was also a sponsor of the RCIA program. She had shared her experiences, knowledge and wisdom at our Cursillo Team Reunions every Friday night and supported our numerous fund raising events without hesitation. These past few months, I knew that she was not really all that well, but she did her very best come to mass daily and to join us at our fellowship after church. A lot of friends and acquaintances were in shock when they learned that she passed on because she carried herself with strength and friendliness.
   
Oly, you will really be greatly missed by all of us. We know you are at peace.  Pray for us as we continue to pray for you and your family.  Memories of you will always be in our hearts. God bless.

With much love,
Deacon Manny and Sis. Tess Porciuncula and family

It's very sad  to say, that i have only met you, Auntie Oly and uncle Pio ONCE, when Auntie Flor and Auntie Norvy  came to San Diego for the Farin Reunion.  But I am sure, with the warm reception  you have given us,  you have a very loving heart.  

From all of us, the Farin Family in San Diego and in the  Philippines, our deepest sympathy to Uncle Pio and to you, our cousins.   May the soul of Auntie Oly rest in peace now with the Lord.

God bless.
 Mighty "Farin"-Reydanas Fontimayor

Sister Olympia Alcala is a lady of simple elegance and beauty, a very devout Catholic with strong faith. As very active parishioners of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, Rancho Penasquitos, we come to know her and Brother Pio, her husband. Through the years since the early 80s we developed a lasting friendship. 

Sis Oly has a very straight forward personality, you really have to know her, understand her, listen to her messages, to admire and to see the goodness and love she offers as a friend.

We will miss you Sister Oly. We will cherish all the happy memories  we shared together during all our church activities , like fiestas , bazaars, dinner dances, OLMC Fatima prayer group, also birthday and anniversary celebrations and many other fun activities like traveling to different places and going to pilgrimages. You will always be remembered.

You are now with our Lord, where there is eternal peace and happiness, 

Love you always,
Brother Gus and Sister Becky


I pray for peace and comfort from the Lord for Lolo and the family.  Our loss is heaven's gain as Lola is now with the company of my mom and the hosts of angels sing praises and shouts of "HALLELUJAH!, HALLELUJAH!, HALLELUJAH!" in the presence of Christ on His throne.  And with our faith in Christ, we too can have the confidence of being reunited once again.  Lola and Lolo filled the need in my life and those of Raymond and Jackie at a vital stage of our childhood.  Through a turbulent time, they provided a home for us filled with love and stability.  We never felt abandoned or a loss of worth.  And in my teenage years, when I needed solace from a string of bad decisions I had made, Lola helped me get back on my feet, supported me in achieving my high school diploma and get me moving forward again in a positive direction.  And I must apologize to Lolo for being such a burden at that time.  Gigi and Ariel, thank you for sharing your mom and dad with me.  I don't think I would be as good a person or father without their love and influence when I needed it most growing up.

OBITUARY

Olympia Cabatit Alcala

17 May, 1932 – 26 March, 2018

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

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