Norberta Galan Renolayan

Norberta (Tating) Galan Renolayan, born on Jun 5, 1925, is the eldest daughter of the 14 children born to Pio and Nicolasa Galan in San Vicente, Bato, Camarines Sur in the Philippines. She is the first deceased daughter among her brothers and sisters and now will be joining her parents Pio and Nicolasa Talagtag Galan and her brothers Bienvenido T. Galan, Ezequiel T. Galan, Jose T. Galan, Hermes T. Galan, and Francisco T. Galan. Her surviving brothers and sisters are Fortunata G. Fernandez, Antonio T. Galan, Winefreda G. Decano, Ceferina G. Zagada, Nemia T. Galan, Nonito T. Galan, Melba G. Barra, and Pio T. Galan, Jr.

Norberta attended Bato Elementary school and later attended Nabua High School in Nabua, Camarines Sur, Philippines. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education from Collegio de Santa Isabel in Naga City, Philippines and Master’s Degree in Education from University of Northeastern Philippines formerly known as Mabini Memorial College. She also received her Teacher’s Certification at University of Baguio Teacher’s College in Baguio City. Norberta served as an elementary teacher and retired from teaching at age 60. She taught almost half of the Batoenos most of whom are now professionals.

After the death of her spouse, Antonio Baldon Renolayan, Sr. in 1975, Norberta learned to multitask while serving as an elementary teacher and managed the family owned rice mills and farmlands while raising her four children. She was very passionate in serving the community and was instrumental in the establishment of the San Vicente Provincial High School, Bato, Camarines Sur. She also served as one of the board of directors for the Bato Water District and an active member of the Bato Teacher’s Association. In addition, Norberta was very active in various religious organizations such as Catholic Women’s Guild, Mother’s Butler Guild, Sacred Heart, Miraculous Medal, and Saint Joseph prayer groups.

On November 5, 2010 Norberta passed away from suffering a heart attack at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital, Fountain Valley, California. She is remembered by her children, Bebot, Tony Boy, Arnel and Aileen; her children-in-law Alvin, Becky and Aura; and, her grandchildren Michael, Michelle, Alyssa, Alexander, Anna and Arianna. Norberta turned 85 in June 2010.