Roberto L. Arce

Roberto was born on October 20, 1948 in Loreto, Castilla, Sorsogon, Philippines. He was delivered at home by a school nurse visiting Loreto Elementary School where our father teaches. Mother said he was so cute and light skinned, almost transparent his veins underneath were so visible, Mama’s words. Roberto was the 3rd child of Elisa Lasala Laban of Castilla, Sorsogon and Bernabe Lucero Arce of Magsingal, Flocos Sur. He has 6 sisters Gloria, Sonia, Arletee, Chotima, Bernalia and Aileen. He has 1 brother Jessie. Another brother, half brother Bernabe, Jr. have been deceased for many years.

Roberto was raised in Castilla, Sorsogon, PI. His elementary education started in Castilla, 1-4th grade, but took 5th + 6th grade in Magsingal, Flocos Sur. Our father, seeking for greener pastures for his family, moved the family to his hometown in northern Luzon. But it didn’t work out, so moved back to the south in 1960. High school education was in Divine Wored College, High School, an all boys Catholic High School in Sorsogon.

After high school, he continued his education in Aquinas University in Legazpi City, Albay taking Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He graduated in 1970 but unfortunately there was no graduation ceremonies due to the turmoil from the declaration of the Marshall Law in the Philippines. Right after finishing his college education, he took & passed the Board Exams for Civil Engineering fueled with his acquired knowledge he ventured in Manila and landed a job in FF Cruz Engineering Co., where he worked from 1970 until he came to the US in 1980. While in Manila, he also tried getting in to the U.S. Navy, with the help of my husband, Victor. He got a calling card for the U.S. Navy but unsuccessfully was unable to meet the requirements, so he has to wait until Mama’s petition for US visa was approved. I was able to accomplish that with Mama arriving here in 1977. We right away filed petition & Roberto arrived here in the US with 3 other siblings in June 1980. He successfully got a job with the McDaniel Engineering in 1980. He passed the Board Exam here for Civil Engineering because of his previous experiences with FF Cruz, he was not required to do anymore internships and was granted a Bridge Engineering license. He was so proud to have contributed with planning and designs of many bridge projects here in San Diego. To name a few, his very first one in Hollister St. in South San Diego; Mission Bay Bridge; overpass bridges in I-15 (the University Ave. & El Cajon areas) and the overpass bridge in Woodman St. He stayed with McDaniel Engineering Co. until it changed ownership. He also worked with TY LIN Engineering & later in the Simm Wong Engineering where he retired in 2010. Roberto has an excellent work ethic. He was very knowledgeable, efficient and hard-working. He was very focused, perfectionist in performing his job or whatever task that’s presented to him. He doesn’t want to wasted time, continue working on projects almost continuously until it’s done. He was a fair, respectable, considerate individual and wanted to be treated as such in return, by co-workers, friends & famiy.

Family was immensely important to Roberto. He first married in mid 1970’s with Dolores Yambao, had 2 children Bryan & Katrina. In October 1996 he met and fell in love again with Salvacion Ortega & got married in 1999. They have three children; Sean 11, Angela 10, and Aaron 8 years old. He loved and adored all his children so much. He provided for their needs the best way he could. He guided & taught them to a better life; encouraging education and to be a good productive human being and be a responsible loving and caring person to family and community.

Roberto, himself, was a very caring and responsible person. He carries this sense of responsibility to help make a difference in peoples’ lives. As a young boy, he constantly & voluntarily performed a variety of tasks around the house to help our parents. He had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing and expecting for the oldest members to be most respected. To maximize his assistance to our parents and make it easier for his siblings in getting education. He suggested to our parents and asked all to go with him to Manila for their studies.

He once told me, he was like a father to them in Manila. He was the only one with a job there, providing their daily needs and worrying for their financial needs in school. Although some assistance was coming from here, it doesn’t always come on time (no electronic transfers back then) when this critical need comes, he usually asks for advance pay at work or travel all the way to our aunt’s in Flocos to ask for assistance. He also worries for their safety, helps his brother whenever he gets into dire situation. He was quite strict with his sisters, expecting them to be home on time. When someone stayed out late, he went out looking for them. Later on 2 more sisters joined them to study High School & eventually college in Manila. But in 1980 he had to leave because his immigrant visa along with 3 other siblings were approved. Occasionally he expressed regrets that he was not around to monitor his 2 youngest sisters when they started going out with “friends”.

Although he already started a family of his own he continued to provide assistance for the education needs of his siblings until they completed their degrees here in the U.S. He was also very generous and caring to our needy relatives in the Philippines. He was successfully in sending a cousin to school in college. Whenever a relative asked for assistance like for medicines & hospitalizations, Roberto sends monetary help right away & encourages his siblings to help also. He was very sympathetic and kind to needy people, more so with relatives.

Roberto loved music and danced very well too. In his younger days he won dance competitions. He loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. Everyone enjoys his Karaoke singing on family get togethers. Because of his passion, he encouraged his daughter Angela to sing, enrolled Sean & Angela to piano lessons & Angela voice lessons. Just yesterday (he already passed away) here comes in the mail the songs and microphone he ordered on-line for Angela. His work & encouragement to his kids on this area is very fruitful. Angela had important parts in musical plays at Discovery School for 2 years in a row. The latest one the part of Molly in a Musical Play “Annie” this year. Roberto was indeed very proud, and so as Sally and whole family.

He loved sports, played as a team captain in basketball in his younger days. Their team “Esgruire” in our town frequently win games. He was also very good in Badminton and table tennis . He also likes boxing especially with Pacquio winning all the time. He enrolled the boys every year in sports. This year Sean is in baseball playing catcher most of the time & outfield at times. He is very good at it & Roberto was very proud. Aaron plays soccer also very good in his position as goalie.

In his young days Roberto was very good at Art constructions. During May church activities in town, he was very active with constructing paroles for Fieta de Mayo. Mama was a seamstress & gets so busy with sewing dresses especially when we were in Flocos. Roberto helps mama with all the finishing touches like covering belt buckles, pulling belt holes & finishing button holes. He also designs & constructs beautiful lanterns which he sells during Christmas time.

Roberto was diagnosed with blocked arteries last year and underwent bypass surgery. His recovery had minor complications but overcame it and feeling now to almost his old self. He started hitting tennis balls with his son and his friend. He was very happy, having a great time in the park for Memorial Day celebration. Somehow suddenly his heart gave up and our brother Roberto left us; awfully fast & so suddenly.

He had many plans & dreams for his wife and children. He was very enthusiastic and hopeful that they will be accomplished & come to reality, and that he and Sally will see their lives as good human beings, law abiding citizens and successful in their studies which was very important to him; his ultimate goal for them; to see success in their personal & professional lives.

But God has other plans for my brother Roberto, not anymore with his family on earth, but up in heaven with our dear ones who have passed on before us; and with His angels and saints. We are praying, confident and hopeful, God will take care of our brother Roberto. God, our Lord knows Roberto’s kind and loving heart, mind & soul. He was a precious gift to us all – his family, friends and all people touched by his kindness and love.

We thank you so much Lord for our brother Roberto’s life with us. In this we pray, Thy will be done. Amen