Arcelie de Guia Llamado

Dr. Arcelie “Cely” de Guia Llamado was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, teacher, physician, and a faithful servant of God. Cely departed this world on September 15, 2024 at age 95 years and 8 months old.

Cely is the firstborn of Delfin and Maria Asuncion de Guia. She was born in Samal, Bataan on January 25, 1929. Her siblings are Abner de Guia Sr, Lydia Rigos, Miriam Bautista, Delfin de Guia Jr, Benjamin de Guia, Lucy Bustamante, Oscar de Guia, and Nomeriano de Guia.

Cely met her husband Jesus Llamado, a lawyer, when she was the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) in the town of Subic, Zambales. Together, they had an only child: Jescel May, now married to Jonathan Esteban. Cely was blessed with two grandchildren, Jomaiah Ellie and Jenamae Lizelle.

Cely is a fighter and a survivor. Being the eldest, she helped her parents take care of her siblings during World War II and liberation. During World War II, the family needs to leave their home and stay on the mountain of Hermosa, Bataan. She has witnessed what war can do to a “country” and “families.” At an early age, she understood the meaning of death, communicable diseases, and other illnesses brought by war.

After graduating from high school, Cely chased her dreams to serve her country, the Philippines, as a physician. She graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Manila Central University and earned her Master of Public Health from the University of the Philippines. To serve in the rural areas as a rural physician was inspired by the challenge made by President Ramon Magsaysay when he said, “GO TO THE BARRIOS!”

God prepared her and sent her to Subic, Zambales. The municipality of Subic has seventeen (17) barangays where she served for sixteen (16) years and considered those years to be the best years of her life as a public servant! Her hard work, good ethics, and dedication to public service made her achieve the following positions: Assistant Provincial Health Officer (Integrated Provincial Health Office) Province of Zambales, Hospital Director, San Marcelino District Hospital, San Marcelino, Zambales, and Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Province of Zambales. She contributed greatly to the people of Zambales on health education, immunization, family planning, maternal and childcare, and in the implementation of the various programs of the Department of Health (DOH).

The pinnacle of her career was during the time of Mount Pinatubo. She collaborated with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), government officials both local, national, and international levels and other organizations. Together with the other agencies, she monitored several evacuation centers within the province of Zambales, making sure that the community had good sanitary conditions, potable water, medications, and means of evacuation if the volcano erupts. On October 4, 1991, the Republic of the Philippine, DOH, issued a special citation to her “for her heroic efforts in saving EPI vaccines during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.”

After she retired, Cely devoted her time to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Olongapo City, Philippines, to which she belonged. Teaching is her passion. Like her mother “Inang Maria,” and grandmother, "Inang Uban," she teaches during Sunday School. As a member of the church's outreach program, Cely offers her services during the medical and dental missions. She was a church historian and had been an active member of the church council.

Cely loved spending time reading the bible, as well as inspirational, biographical, and autobiographical books. She enjoyed doing word search or playing with her grandchildren. When she was young, she loved gardening and going to the farm, river, or beach.

Cely loves the green color. In keeping with Cely’s love of all things green, we would request that family and friends wear at least one item of green clothing at the funeral service.

Family and friends can visit her before she will be finally laid to rest on the following dates and time:

October 16, 2024 (Wednesday) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

October 17, 2024 (Thursday) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

at the Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary located at

3838 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on

October 18, 2024 (Friday) at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista located at 1200 East H Street Chula Vista CA 91910.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary located at 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the Orchid Pavilion

from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary located at 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902.