Rolando C Aquino

Rolando C. Aquino, our dad, Rolly, aka Kuya Boi, or just Boi. His story started on May 18, 1945 in Imus, Cavite, Philippines. Son of Emilia Sarao Colina and Cenon Reynante Aquino, and eldest brother to Berting, Iking, and Bernie; they lived in a Nipa hut in the small province of Imus in Cavite, where his mother made meals on a wood fire stove and drew water from a well. Near their home were mango, tamarind, siniguelas and duhat trees with salagubang beetles.

In his earlier years Dad was an officer in ROTC. He practiced martial arts, played basketball in a league, dived for oysters and barefoot climbed coconut palms to harvest green coconuts.

Dad married Letty (div. 1992) and had three children. After getting his Bachelors in Business from the University of the East, Dad worked as Executive Branch Manager and was a billboard and poster model for Banco Filipino. Many thought he was a movie star because wow our Dad was very handsome.

With his small family he immigrated to the US in 1975 and continued to work in banking and accounting. He worked for the largest bank in Israel, Bank Hapoalim and for GLAD (Greater Los Angeles Deaf Institute where he learned ASL) until he retired due to illness.

During summers when Dad could still drive he took us on road trips in our red Chevy Malibu station wagon. Dad took us to San Diego, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, Salton Sea. (No sea there just flies, worms and dead fish)

Our trip to Yosemite was with our family including our Lola and Lolo. All 7 of us squished into one car. Dad was at the wheel for 10 or more hours it seemed. Arnold was asleep in the cargo space. Our childish perception of time during those long car rides went hand in hand with the question — “are we getting close?” All of us barely fit in the tent cabin in Curry village. But we will always remember hiking with our Dad near the waterfalls and in the forest.

Our dad will forever be present in these memories— the time he took us to drive-in movies at Pico Rivera, or when we went cherry picking in the spring, or clam digging in the summer.

Dad also went to Hawaii—baby Samila was just a few weeks old— and Dad made our breakfasts every morning- fruit salad with bananas, papaya and pineapple, eggs and fried spam.

After overcoming significant adversity Dad became an invaluable member of the Holy Trinity Church, devoting much of his time serving mass and helping the clergy daily. He literally held the keys to the church! The Holy Trinity community family was such a big part of his life.

During holidays he would get excited about the candle fundraisers and tell us how much the community loved to buy candles. He also loved singing Christmas carols, sometimes with family (specifically his granddaughter Caitlin) and sometimes with the church. his voice was so deep and soothing as he softly sang “Silent night, holy night”, as Caitlin chimed in with a harmony.

Dad loved traveling to the Philippines with his cousin Hermie & his Brother Totoy (Bernie) and always brought home ube, pastillas & other goodies as pasalubong. He loved playing mahjong, getting together with good friends, his church and family, altar service for early mass, visits with his kids & 7 grandkids who were his heart and joy. Some of his favorite foods were cassava, ube, spam, halo halo and Kare-kare. When we were little he used to make fried spam and guinisang corned beef with potatoes and cabbage for breakfast! And his omelets. Also French toast! He was a master chef of breakfasts like no other.

Dad until the end was a source of comfort and inspiration and lived a simple life of peace and generosity. Always had something to give and never let us leave his place without treats. Our dad welcomed all to his home. Especially if you wanted to play mahjong. And was never too busy for a chat, visit or snacks. Never ever did he miss a birthday greeting usually sung! (or any special day) And often said, “I’ll pray for you and you pray for me”.

And so the story goes on until we see our dad again.

We love and miss you Dad.

Family left behind are: brother Bernie, half-brother Rolly G., cousins Hermie & Freddie, Vi, Mercy, Cely, other many cousins, ex-wife Letty, 3 children: Marianne in Santa Monica, Sonnette in Oxnard, Arnold in Covina, 7 grandchildren- Adante, Caitlin, Jasmine, Samila, Jaden, Christian & Keon.