Name: Funeraria Del Angel Delano
Address: Delano, CA

2 of 2 Then, they would butcher all of these animals and cooked many different types of authentic dishes - for the pig, they will cook chocolate meat, lechon cawali, pork michado - pork stew, igado, adobo, pancit, etc.  For goats, they cook kilawen, kaldereta, and papaitan.  Of course, while cooking, they chat, smoking, and drinking whiskey. By the time the party starts, they were already drunk.  But, my Tatay was still ready to party.  He would be there dancing with everyone.

Tatay was a hard worker. He had work as a carpenter. This was his additional job besides working full time as a Farm Laborer.  He built patios with cabinets, storages, and concrete blocks fences in many houses in Delano, Bakersfield, and Coachella.  He also built patio with cabinet in my old house in Delano and he built a tree house at my sister old house in Bakersfield. I did not even realize he had to prepare a project plan and turn it in the city to get a building permit. He did his job perfectly. He was a handyman and always available to repair things.

When he worked in Saudi Arabia, our mother recorded our songs and sent it to him. He has always mentioned that he enjoyed listening to our voices when we were like 8, 10, and 12 years old. So, we (my sister, brother and I are here to sing a song titled Pag Ibig Ko Sayo Ko lang ibibigay – I Love You.

We love you very much Tay and thank you for being our amazing father. We are so missing you, Tay!! All the memories we have from you will never be forgotten. You are forever in our hearts.  It’s so hard to say goodbye but you are okay now.  You are not in pain any longer. We know, Nanay is very happy to see you in heaven.  




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Good afternoon, Everyone!! I’m Zenaida, the youngest child of Ben my Tatay. Thank you all for being here and I know for sure our Tatay is here with us and hugging all of us now. What can I say about my Tatay!! 
Tatay was a happy go lucky. I remembered he stated that he was a lucky man of marrying my mother because we were able to come here in America. He stopped school in 3rd grade and just decided to help his parents working in the field. He did not like to go school because he gets in trouble from his teacher and the teachers were very strict then. I think, it’s either he did not do his homework or not paying attention in class. He would rather sling shot the birds for food or just playing.    Luckily, he decided to go to the Manila city at age of 18 and find a better job.  I don’t know exactly how he got hired in Saudi Arabia, but perhaps he used his magic talent.  
My Tatay was so easy going. He never worries about anything.  He truly enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was the kindness man ever; he was generous and hard worker. Here is some of my story of my Tatay (father).

He loved gardening. He has a huge backyard that can be built 2 more houses. So, every year in November, he would plant garlics that occupied the half of his backyard. Planting garlics was his specialty because his garlics were huge and perfectly round. After harvesting his garlics, the end of May, he would give it away to all his families, friends and anyone else. And yet, he would have more leftover and hanged it downstair in his basement. Usually, we would ask for more when we run out or if there are visitors coming. Hope my sister-in-law Mila will continue planting. Perhaps, our brother too.  

He loved parties. I remembered, when we had big parties like wedding, birthday, and baptism inviting over 300 people, he would take care of the food. His friends and him would purchase a 200lbs pig, 3 goats, and sometimes cows. 

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Ben and Monica made their home into one of encouragement and education, they nurtured their 
family and community with fresh produce and home cooked Filipino meals. Above all else they 
cherished their family with unconditional love and infectious optimism. Their memory and legacy 
lives on in the hearts of their ever-growing family, and we are immensely grateful for the 
foundation they built for us.

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Benigno “Ben” Salvador Fernando, born November 20th, 1937 in San Manuel Tarlac, Philippines, led a life of independence, levity, and devotion to both family and God. Ben was a shining light of joy to every person in his life. His magnetic personality and wit brightened every family gathering, and he was always quick to offer a joke, song, or shot of Johnny Walker. 

Ben spent much of his long life working with his hands. He labored in the fields with his parents as a child and, at 18 years old, moved to Manila where he worked in maintenance for a textile 
company for 21 years. It was there that Ben met his soul mate and future wife, Monica Fiesta. After two years of courtship the couple married on January 28th, 1963. Together they started a 
family and planted the seeds of a lasting love and adoration for each other. Their family quickly grew, as their children Rudolfo, Sam, Crisanta, and Zenaida were born. Their eldest, Rudolfo, 
tragically passed away at the age of two. 

In 1976 Ben spent two years working abroad in Saudi Arabia at an oil company to send money home to his family in the Philippines, and his family would record messages and songs on cassette tapes to send to him. They were always connected even though oceans apart. In the summer of 1978,  the family immigrated to Oahu, Hawaii and just three years later they established their home and community in Delano, California. After 55 years of marriage, Monica passed on December 29th, 2018 and Ben carried on his love and adoration for her in every moment of his life. 

Ben was a farmer, a carpenter, a craftsman, a chef, and so much more. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren grew up exploring the meticulously maintained home 
and garden that Ben passionately cultivated with an expert’s eye for precision. He loved taking care of his chickens, which were often prepared deliciously fresh on holidays or get-togethers. 
 

My dear Zeny, I’m so sad to hear that your father passed away. Grandpa Ben was a very fine man and I’m glad I got to spend time with him on Thanksgiving. Sending love to you, Cris, and the rest of the family. 😢💕  Debbie Layman

Condolences to the whole family!
Rest in peace Uncle Ben!
Thank you po for the unforgetable and happy memories with you and Auntie Monique! We love you! 💙🙏

Love, 
Alfredo and Melanie Cawilan 
And family 💙

OBITUARIO

Benigno S. Fernando

20 noviembre, 1937 – 3 mayo, 2022

Funeraria Del Angel Delano

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