Renato Rubia Esperanza

Born in Luisiana, Laguna, Philippines, to Pastor Esperanza and Asuncion Rubia Esperanza, Renato was the second of six children: Cesar, Renato, Yolanda, William, Efren and Teresita. He was raised in a modest home where he and his siblings slept on the floor. He was bright and earned the title of valedictorian of his elementary school, eventually following in the footsteps of his older brother, Cesar, and studying at engineering college.

Sadly, Cesar passed away and at the age of 19, Renato left engineering college to join the United States Navy. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, primarily working as a commissaryman/steward and cook on aircraft carriers (sometimes called “floating cities” with a population of more than 3,000 personnel) and rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His Navy service allowed him to support the college education of his younger sisters and younger brothers, in addition to bringing him around the world to experience many different locations, such as Djibouti on the African continent and Perth, Australia.

His U.S. Navy service brought him to California, and while stationed in San Diego, he met the love of his life. One day, Divinia Sico accompanied her cousin to visit the cousin’s fiancé, and there Divinia met Renato and offered him potato chips, one of her favorite foods. He took her up on the offer and soon afterward, began courting her. After Renato won over her family, including her protective father, Renato and Divinia became engaged, and married in June 1967.

Renato and Divinia settled down in their first home together in the Paradise Hills neighborhood in San Diego with Divinia’s parents, Philip Sico and Hilaria Ronquillo Sico, surrounded by close family friends (the Virgilio Oliva family) across the street and a few blocks away (the Cesar Oliva family). Renato and Divinia raised their two children, Michelle and Brian, in San Diego, eventually moving to the Mira Mesa and Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhoods. Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy, Renato worked as a civil servant in the U.S. Postal Service.

Renato is loved and missed dearly by many family and friends. He hosted countless banquets at home, spending days preparing food with his excellent chef skills. He was a great dancer and enjoyed many years of fun activities, picnics, and fundraising dances with his hometown organization, the Luisianians U.S.A. of Southern California, raising funds for scholarships and urban renewal projects in Luisiana, Laguna, Philippines.

Renato is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Divinia, and their children, Michelle and Brian; his grandchildren, Vivian and Olivia; his siblings, Yolanda (Esperanza) Belga, Efren Esperanza, and Teresita (Esperanza) Abueg; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two of his siblings, Cesar and William.

Renato was MASIPAG (hard-working), MATALINO (intelligent), MATIBAY (resilient), and so much more. He will be remembered for his loving and affectionate nature, his joy and sense of humor, and his inquisitiveness. His truly generous spirit touched the lives of so many.