Julita Tiempo Libatique

Born on January 9, 1929, in Manila, Philippines, Julie was the third of four children in a family of educators. Orphaned at a young age after the loss of both parents, Enrique Tiempo of Manila and Fidela Espina of Batangas, to respiratory illness, she and her siblings were lovingly raised by an uncle on her mother’s side. Despite early hardships, Julie’s intellect, determination, and strong faith propelled her to great heights.

She graduated as valedictorian from high school and pursued higher education at Arellano University, encouraged and supported by her godfather, President Florentino Cayco. At Arellano, she flourished as a full scholar in the College of Education, earned a Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in English (Cum Laude), and found her voice both literally and figuratively — contributing to the campus newspaper, leading the Dramatic Club, and earning the title “Miss College of Education.”

Julie began her 30+ year teaching career at Arellano University before joining Mapa High School, one of Manila’s most prestigious public schools. Her love for the performing arts and communication eventually led her to a second career in broadcasting, where she became a radio announcer on DZBB and later a program director and acting news director at DZMT, the station affiliated with The Manila Times.

In 1968, Julie was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and traveled by ship to the United States to pursue a Master of Arts in Mass Communications and Broadcasting at the University of Oregon. Upon returning to the Philippines, she resumed her media career and married fellow teacher Prudencio Libatique — a devoted partner with whom she would share 65 years of marriage and three beloved children: Julienne, Prudiel, and Felices.

Her media career came to an abrupt end in 1972 with the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. Due to increasing threats toward journalists and media personnel, Julie made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States with her family. Settling in the San Fernando Valley, she continued her teaching career, first as a substitute, then as a full-time English teacher at Reseda and Cleveland High Schools, retiring in 2000.

Julie was more than an educator or broadcaster — she was a quiet trailblazer. A devout Catholic, she rooted her life in faith and service. In the late 1970s, she co-founded the Rosary Groups for Jesus and Mary (RGJM) in Reseda, which grew to 20 active groups and continues today as a recognized ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Later, upon moving to Simi Valley, she founded the Filipino Catholic Community Group (FCCG) at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, championing Filipino heritage and Catholic traditions through prayer, fellowship, and service.

Her unwavering devotion to family, her Church, and her community was a source of strength to many. She was an active volunteer in parish life and served on numerous Archdiocesan committees. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Julie’s legacy is one of humility, resilience, and generous faith.

Julie is survived by her devoted husband, Prudencio; her children, Julienne (Frank) Weathers, Prudiel Libatique, and Felices Libatique; and her five cherished grandchildren: Nathan, Emily, and Scott Weathers, and Alex and Jonah Davis.

She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, students, and the countless lives she touched — a true testament to a life well lived in service of others.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4