Belino Calderon Guzman

Belino Calderon Guzman, Sr., OG Guzman playa, world food critic, global vacationeer, snappy dresser, red wine connoisseur, and lover of desserts, finally decided to call it a day in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 11, 2019. One year short of his 80th birthday.

He married his main squeeze, the love of his life, a grade school teacher and beauty pageant winner (Miss B-BPSTA ’68), Miss Fe Ordoña Manlongat. That was a bit over 50 years ago. He loved everything she cooked, especially her chicken arroz caldo (bone-in!), chicken/pork adobo, and pinakbet. Dad was also a lover of steak -- with a juicy, mid-rare, ribeye being his go to. Also, he considered a meal incomplete unless it was finished off with a delicious dessert, because, screw diabetes.

On the home front, Belino loved making his signature spaghetti sauce. He typically made enough to feed a small village, so we would end up freezing a bit for later use. More than likely, we still have some in the freezer. Friends and family are welcome to swing by and take some home.

Always on the hunt for the perfect wine key, Dad boasted an impressive collection. These are also now available as working souvenirs to friends and family to free up Mom’s drawer space.

Dad also played Pacquiao and took on Mr. Stroke in 2000 and Mr. Heart Attack in 2015…and kicked both their asses. Unfortunately, the combined nefarious team of Old Age, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes & Dialysis, and Subdural Hematomas finally brought him down; but not without a heroic fight on par with Iron Man in Avengers, End Game.

Belino also hated using his blue handicap placard -- until it scored him some handsome-boy parking in front of his restaurant of the day.

A veteran of the modern world’s greatest navy, he dutifully served His God, His Country, and His Family for twenty-two years. He suckered his three sons, Jon, Brian, and Jason, into following him so he could meet his recruitment quota for the respective quarter, which no doubt contributed to him winning Area Recruiter of the Quarter each time. Joke’s on him, though. It was a point of pride for us to follow in his footsteps. Also, he never came to terms over the fact that Fe outranked him in his own house. Or did he? Now that Mom thinks about it, his hearing aids were conveniently not working whenever he was in trouble…

In closing, there are two last OGs, Eddie and Gilda. Dad reluctantly leaves behind his soulmate and life-love, Fe, and his three legacies, Jon, Brian, and Jason. He leaves knowing his granddaughter, Sarah, is well looked after by his daughter-in-law, Michelle. He loved all of us dearly. And we’ll miss him.

Finally, his family asks that you honor Belino’s last wish to somehow get his sons, Belino, Jr. (Jon), and Jason, married off so Fe can have more grandkids to spoil.

He also voted for Trump, but we won’t hold that against him.