Mr. Roberto Bobby D. Dungo Calara Sr.

Roberto D. Calara was born on June 6, 1934 to Manuela Dungo and Melecio Calara,Sr. in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines. He had 8 siblings: Milagros, Susana, Domingo, Florence, Anita, Melencio, Rosalinda, Martin and Elizabeth. Being the oldest son, Roberto’s childhood was spent in Laguna helping his mother take care of his siblings because his father was enlisted in the US Army during the American-Japanese War.

In the 1950’s, the Calara Family moved to Caloocan City where Roberto met and married his high school sweetheart, Atanacia Cunanan. They had seven children, Lilibeth, Albert, Belty, Estrella, Roberto Jr., Maria Besly and Blyth. Roberto and Atanacia already had the first five children when they received their college degree of Bachelor of Science in Education from Abad Santos Educational Institute in the late 60’s. Soon after graduation, Roberto started his teaching job at Colegio de San Juan de Letran until 1980. He also received his Master’s degree from the same institution in order to better provide for his growing family. He was able to teach in the high school department during the day and college at night. He enjoyed those days in Letran College where he was able to practice his profession as well as the time spent in the company of his co-teachers. However, he had to leave the Philippines, leaving everything behind, his five older children and his profession after the tragic death of his wife in 1979.

In 1980, Roberto migrated to the US, with his two youngest daughters, Besly and Blyth, where he met his second wife, Lucy Gutierrez. With this marriage, he gained seven more children. One of the happiest moments in his life was to see the last child, Belty with her five children, arrive here in the US.

Roberto worked at National Semiconductor/Fujitsu and then at San Jose Mercury News but the one job he loved the most was spending time with the grandchildren, babysitting, picking them up from school, going to the mall and all other activities that only loving and caring grandparents do.

He and wife Lucy became members of the Couples for Christ in 2000, where they made new friends. These same friends kept them company, prayed with and for them throughout his illness to the time he passed away.

Roberto loved life. He loved to clean his car, sing and dance, play cards, go to the casinos, go on vacations and cruises, cook and watch his family eat. Punctuality, excellent work ethics, good taste in clothes and love of family are his greatest legacy.