Darlito Gomez Lantano

He is survived by his wife, Prescila, daughters Darlene Abigail and Kathleen May (her husband, John Noel), his sister, Virginia, and his niece, Samantha Rose. There are also two pets, Nuggets (orange male tabby cat) and Nido (gray male Persian cat).

Darlito was living in his home in Spring Valley for eleven years with his wife, Prescila and daughters, Kathleen and Darlene. During his last moments, his loved ones constantly stayed with him by his side, sang songs to him, recounted beautiful memories, held his hand, and played his favorite music to him at his bedside in Sharp Grossmont hospital. He passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025 at 3:08 pm. He is a devotee to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Divine Mercy (3 o’clock habit) and his favorite number is 8.

Darlito was born on August 8, 1956 to the late Jose Gaco Lantano and Gloria Gomez Lantano in San Juan de Dios hospital at Pasay City, Philippines. He resided with his parents at J. Gabriel street in Baclaran, Paranaque with his parents and sister Virginia. His mother, Gloria, was a meat butcher and vendor with her small business at the local marketplace and his father, Jose, was an aeronautical engineer who worked for Philippine Airlines. They also owned rental properties and a small sari-sari store business.

After Darlito graduated from Malate Catholic school, he went on to study Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at San Juan De Dios College. After graduating, he started his first job at Philippine General Hospital (PGH) as a Medical Technologist at PGH Blood Bank, kickstarting his 32-year career. He also worked at the Surgical Pathology department and PGH Outpatient Department and helped countless people, patients, and families needing services and referrals at the hospital.

In 1974, Darlito met Prescila as a classmate at Far Eastern University (FEU) in their Biochemistry class. Ten years later, they met again and fell in love at their shared workplace, Philippine General Hospital. They got married at Our Lady of Grace Church in 1988 and they received God’s blessings of three children, Jose Darlito +, Kathleen May, and Darlene Abigail.

In 2013, Darlito retired and migrated to the USA and spent quality time with his family, friends, and relatives in San Diego and LA. He loves to drive around, picking up and dropping off his wife and daughters to work, school, and for errands. He is a very stylish man, a gift giver, and enjoys taking leisurely walks at the mall, by the beach, and at lake Murray in La Mesa. He enjoys shopping at the local malls and outlets. He is a simple, kindhearted man, a movie buff, jokester, storyteller, concert/music lover, and a foodie. He traveled to his favorite states, cities, and several National Parks with his family. He also went back to his hometown, Philippines, to visit friends and his family, Gloria, Virginia, and Samantha.

Darlito was predeceased by his parents Jose Lantano (2004), Gloria Lantano (2019), and his son, Jose Darlito Lantano (1990). He will be greatly missed and forever remembered. He left a legacy of love and generosity to each individual he encountered.

Services will be held at Funeraria Del Angel National City on September 4, 2025. A Funeral Mass will be held on September 5, 2025 at Santa Sophia Catholic Church at 11:00 am and graveside service at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum at 12:30 pm to be officiated by Fr. Corey Tufford.