Antonio Isla Mangabat

Antonio Isla Mangabat was born to Francisco Mangabat and Gomersinda Isla on April 25, 1945 in Paco, Manila, Philippines. He grew up with his mother and only sibling, Lilian in a house they occupied along with his aunts, uncles and cousins. Being a single mom in Post-war Manila, Gomersinda was working as a dressmaker to provide for her family.

To help his family, Tony started singing at some of the clubs along Dewey Boulevard in Manila when he was just 15 years old. Now already in high school, He knew that college was just around the corner and he had to exert effort if he wants to progress further with his education. One inspirational story he shared was how he got influenced by a group of students from the neighbouring Paco Catholic School. Being unable to afford attending a private school, he told himself that one day when he has kids of his own, he will send them to this school. Fast forward to the year 1998, his youngest son Paul was graduating from Paco Catholic School. Three years prior, his older brother, Mark and four years earlier, their oldest brother, Anthony were doing the same...Yes! Tony's dream of sending his kids to a good school is now a reality.

Tony studied at the Philippine College of Criminology in Manila taking up BS Criminology to become a police officer. At the same time, He also started working with a private company in Manila as a warehouse laborer. Tony successfully graduated in 1968 and started with his police training immediately thereafter. The important thing was that he was doing what he loved. It would eventually be the start of a career that would span more than 30 years.

In 1971, While Tony was at a gathering at the house of his friend Erning's girlfriend Luz, He was introduced to a lovely lady student from the Philippine Women's University, Mirla Santos. His life was changed forever.

After that chance acquaintance, Tony began courting Mirla - and it was a long courtship. It took him two years and a lot of persistence before they became a couple. The two exchanged their I do's on November 9, 1974. The couple was blessed with three lovely kids - all boys!! Joe Anthony, Mark Anthony and Paul Anthony.

Yes! The Anthony's in their names is for Antonio...

The couple built a home filled with love and laughter as there is nothing more that Tony loves than to spend his free time with his family. They made sure to bring the kids to mass every Sunday and to go out whenever possible. Tony would call his kids the "Three Barakos" a term coined from a popular Philippine movie back then starring three brothers. "Darling" or "ling" were the terms of endearment he used to refer to Mirla.

In 1981, Tony, due to his perseverance, hard work and honesty, won the distinguished Most outstanding Policeman Award for the whole city of Makati. By 1983, Tony was able to secure for his family a house of their own in Makati City. This was also the same period when his service career slowly progressed from a junior officer role culminating in a senior officer position (Chief Inspector) in 2001.i

Along the way, Tony accomplished what he deemed was his and Mirla's biggest achievement - having all their three kids get their university degrees. Joe (1996, B.S. Criminology), Mark (1999, B.S. Commerce) and Paul (2002, B.S. Medical Technology).

"I'm accomplished and job finished, I'm a happy man." quipped Tony. Not bad considering all his three sons finished school without having to secure part time jobs to support themselves unlike what Tony had to resort to back when he attended school.

In 2002, Tony and Mirla along with their son, Paul decided to migrate to the United States. With a history of working in law enforcement, He worked as a security officer in Los Angeles for more than ten years. Living in the US, He enjoyed meeting with his friends and fellow retired police officers, going on trips with his family and of course playing slots in the casino.

Tony always says how proud he is of his three sons and how he loves his wife. He always says that "Life is not how long you've lived it, it's how good you've lived it".

He will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Mirla, his sons, Joe, Mark and Paul, his sister, Lilian, his grandaughter, Kaylee, his grandsons, Marty and Kyle, his daughters-in-law, Kathy and Kaye, his nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives, his friends and former coworkers. Everyone whose lives he touched just lost a very kind hearted, jolly and loving person. However, along with this loss is Heaven's gain. We love you and we will miss you.