Isabel Perez Tapales

She was born on January 13, 1933 to Juan Canals Tapales and Leonarda Perez Tapales in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Milagros Tapales Bote. She is survived by her siblings (Felicidad Tapales Dela Cruz, Juan P. Tapales, Jr., Fe Tapales, and Eva Tapales), her extended family, and close friends.

Isabel had a passion for teaching. She graduated with an Elementary Teacher Certificate and a Bachelors in Science in Special Education from the National Teachers College in Manila. Her career began as an elementary school teacher in the provinces of Davao and Mindoro. Once she completed her special education training, she worked in various schools with programs focused in special education such as the Jose Fabella Special Children Memorial School in Alabang and the NY Institute for Special Education in Bronx, NY.

Isabel was known by her siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews as “Chita”, “Tita”, “Isabelit”, and “Lola”. She was kind and generous. She not only gave her time but shared whatever she had. One of her many passions was cooking and she shared this talent with her family and friends. Sharing her delicious food with others was one of the ways she shared her love. She was known for her “pancit”, a Filipino noodle dish.

She had a flare for life and enjoyed it in full. She loved music and dancing. In her last years, she battled several ailments but she was a fighter. She persevered with optimism and faith.