Ester R. Papa

Ester R. Papa, affectionately called “Mamang” by every relatives, friends, and strangers alike, was born on December 14, 1919 in Olongapo City, Philippines. She was raised in Cavite City, Philippines with three siblings, Armando, Adelia, and Avelino Delos Reyes.

Married in January 3, 1938 to her childhood sweetheart Librado Papa who himself was fondly called “Papang”, the couple brought into the world a total of 12 children, 2 of whom died in infancy. Mamang and Papang immigrated to the United States in 1974 where they resided in San Diego, CA. Mamang lived for the most part in Oxnard, CA after Papang passed away in 1998, although they were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary prior to his demise.

Religion was a very vital aspect of Mamang’s life. She was a devoted member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and was the first to introduce the church to the Papa clan. She served as a deaconess for 35 years.

Mamang was an expert seamstress by profession. She was a virtuoso with a sewing machine and dressmaking that most if not all of her daughters learned the basics of needlecraft early on and during their formative years.

When it was time for Mamang to retire and lived a life of happiness and fulfillment with her love of her life Librado, she became interested in a few hobbies she learned to love with a passion until her passing away on February 28, 2011. Mamang was an avid riddle solver whenever she gets hold of a crossword and word search puzzles. She loved traveling to her sons and daughters’ homes and enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of which Mamang has too numerous to count.

Mamang also loves to cook unforgettable dishes many relatives would crave and beg for whenever they are around her. One fact that many do not know of Mamang was that she

was an aficionado of Filipino drama television series. She watches each and every “teleserye” everyday where she can tell stories from memory of who and what and why and how are things going on with all the actors and actresses who perform in all of these television series.

And speaking of children, Mamang and Papang had an equal number of boys and girl borne out of them. They, (with their children who are now Mamang’s 3rd generation grand children) in chronological birth order and their places of residences are:

Herminio Papa, with 6 daughters and 1 son) (San Diego, CA)

Julie Robles – Cavite City Philippines, Ellen Navoa – New York, Timi Garcia – South San Francisco, Carole Poblete – Las Vegas, Nevada, Cecile Frilles – Corona, CA, Lisa Simon – San Diego, and Rob Papa – Pensacola, FL

Lamberto Papa, with 1 son and 1 daughter (San Diego, CA)

Robert Papa – San Diego, CA, Ralene Isidro – San Diego, CA

Danilo Papa deceased

Levita Papa deceased

Benjamin Papa, with 3 daughters (Silver Springs, MD)

Ronette Nolasco – Silver Spring, MD, Rhoze Angeles – Silver Spring, MD, Chie Daprosa – Silver Spring, MD

Leticia Papa Llagas, with a daughter (Hayward, CA)

Lauren Llagas – Discovery Bay, CA

Josefina Papa Vasquez, with 1 son and 2 daughters (Seattle, WA)

Don Vazquez – Virginia Beach, VA, Jennifer Brioso – Seattle, WA, Joe Ellen Vazquez – Seattle, WA

Emelita Papa Guzman, with 2 daughters (Bellflower, CA)

Irisha Guzman – Bellflower, CA, Vanessa Guzman – Bellflower, CA

Elizabeth Papa Galvante, with 2 daughters and 1 son (Cavite City, Philippines)

Nadia Lugue – San Diego, CA, Kimberly Galvante – Cavite City, Bruce Galvante – Cavite City

Andres Papa, with a son (Temecula, CA)

AJ Papa – Long Beach, CA

Erano Papa, with a son and a daughter (Seattle, WA)

Jacob Papa – Seattle, WA, Megan Hoang – Seattle, WA

Cynthia Papa Tanghal, with 2 sons (Oxnard, CA)

Ryan Tanghal – Oxnard, CA, Kevin Tanghal – Oxnard, CA

Mamang’s 4th generation grandchildren are:

Brian Robles, Tim Robles, Jerald Robles, Charlene Lee, Melanie Navoa, Erick Navoa, Nathan Garcia, CJ Garcia, Nico Poblete, Kiana Poblete, Neveah Poblete, Bianca Frilles, Marc Frilles, Marcel Frilles, Justin Simon, Jake Simon, Tyler Papa, Alliana Papa, Samantha Papa, Kaylin Isidro, Chase Isidro, Amber Nolasco, Aaron Nolasco, Brandon Angeles, BJ Papa, Jian Daproza, Gabrielle Daproza, Sarena Vasquez, Laila Vasquez, Jowen Brioso, Keilyn Kapina, Blake Lugue

Mamang's 5th generation great great grandchildren are:

Erielle Frilles, Kayden Frilles, and Vivian Lee