Marietta Prudencio Edralin

Born in Bacarra, Illocos Norte, Philippines to Mary Rebollido Prudencio and Bernabe Espiritu Prudencio, Sr., Marietta (also known as Marie or Mariette) was born on October 25, 1940 – the ninth of ten children. Throughout her life, music was in every aspect and stage of her life. Marietta was an accomplished vocalist, performer, and entertainer, music teacher (voice and piano), and church choral director. Marietta was also successful in sales and marketing, and in church planting, all of which she partnered with her beloved husband, Vicente.

She had grown up in a loving home, where her family attended the Methodist Church. But it was not until she was 18 years old that she made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her faith positively influenced her relationships with her parents and siblings, but also influenced her to begin utilizing her musical gifts and talents for God’s glory and not for her fame and fortune. As she had made this faith commitment, she had also met the love of her life, Vicente B. Edralin, who preceded her into eternity in November 2011. All of her older siblings: Gloria (“Glory”) Blanco, William (“Will”) Prudencio, Estrella (“Estring”) de la Cruz, Humilde (“Eddie) Prudencio, Sr., Bernabe Jr. (“Junior”) Prudencio, Hermes (“Herm”) Prudencio, Romulo (“Loy”) Prudencio, and Marvin (“Marv”) Prudencio, have also passed on before her. She is survived by her youngest sister, Mele (“Mella”) Rabara.

Her love for God was evident in her commitment and devotion towards her family. In 1962, after she graduated from The University of the Philippines Music Conservatory in Manila, Philippines, she married her sweetheart, Vicente Baldevarona Edralin. They were blessed with children – Marivic (“Ivy”) Edralin-Justo in 1963, V. Mark Edralin in 1965 (married to Babylynn Dela Cruz), Melody Edralin in 1966 (married to Joseph Torralba), and V. Moses Edralin in 1970 (married to Lorraine Gapuz).

In 1971, they were presented with an opportunity to immigrate to the United States as ministers of the Gospel and to serve in a church located at Orange Cove, California. A few years later, they were blessed with their fifth child, V. Matthew Edralin in 1977 (married to W. Douglas Rees). Marietta regularly prayed for each of her children, read the Bible with her husband and family, and established a spiritual foundation for their home together.

Her spiritual legacy continues into the next generation, as she and her husband have been blessed with fourteen grandchildren, ranging in age from 34 to 10 years old. They are Jonathan Edralin Justo, Vanessa Edralin Justo, Trinity Nycole Edralin, Benjamin Edralin Justo, Jenesis Elyse Clark (husband, Zachary), Noah Blaise Torralba, Racquelle Edralin Justo, Selah Joy Torralba, Jioh Aziel Edralin, Vincent Moses Edralin, Jr., Odel Mark Dela Cruz Edralin, Zion Joseph Torralba, Austria Elon Edralin, and Ylia Dela Cruz Edralin.

Marietta was a well-traveled, diversely talented, and deeply spiritual woman. Without question, she was truly blessed. She loved to be hospitable to many, enjoyed telling stories of her adventures in life, and had an amazing memory. Marie never met a stranger, always had a song in her heart, or a word of advice in mind. Although her journey of faith on this earth measured 80 years, the impact she made on those God had placed in her life will last for eternity. It is only by the grace of God, which Marietta received, that the work of His Holy Spirit continues. And so it is with all those who remember her – that God still desires and calls anyone who will accept Him to come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and walk daily with Him.