Conrado Dabu

Conrado B. Dabu is survived by his wife, Nellie Fedalizo Dabu of Norfolk; daughter, Jayne F. Dabu of Virginia Beach; son, Pacifico M. Dabu Jr. and wife Tina of Chesapeake; four grandchildren, Connor, Cameron, Matthew, and Benjamin Dabu; sisters, Emerenciana Dabu Altares of San Diego, California, Illuminada Dabu, Marcelina Dabu and Erlinda Miguel of Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines; a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Julian & Hermogena Dabu; siblings, Pacifico Dabu Sr., Julian Dabu, Alejandro Dabu, Arsenia Dabu, Rosa Dabu Leoncio, Lorenza Dabu Macapagal and Soledad Dabu Vitug.

Conrado B. Dabu was born on November 4, 1932 in Del Carmen, Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines to Julian and Hermogena Dabu. He had 11 siblings, 7 sisters and 5 brothers. In 1951-53, he pursued a Mechanical Engineering degree for two years at University of the Philippines. In 1953-1960, he worked as a diesel mechanic for a shipping line and an overhauling mechanic for a large transportation company, Halili Transit in Manila, Philippines. His older brother, Julian who retired from the US Navy recommended that Conrado join the US Navy as well for a better life. Conrado chose to join the military instead of finishing the mechanical engineering degree. He enlisted into the United States Navy and went to bootcamp on November 14, 1960. During the height of racism in the 1960’s, a majority of Filipinos were classified to be stewards in the Navy. Despite the job given to him, Conrado quickly worked his way up through the ranks. He served on the USS Forrestal and USS Canisteo. He was awarded Meritorious Mast, given a commendation letter for Presidential Guest Cruise on the USS Forrestal, took part in Cuban Missile Blockade, Awarded Good conduct award for Service, was Initiated as a Shellback in the Pacific Ocean, and awarded a letter of Appreciation on the USS Canisteo. His awards in the Navy were Battle “E” Ribbon, Two Good Conduct Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and a National Defense Medal. He even survived a collision with his former ship the USS Forrestal with his then current ship the USS Canisteo.

He excelled in the military and moved up quickly through the ranks with evaluation comments such as these in 1963 and 1964, “Dabu is extremely effective and reliable; needs no supervision. His military behavior shows that he always acts in the highest traditions of the Navy. He gets along exceptionally well with others…. promotes good will…[he] is outstanding and leaves nothing to be desired. He is the favorite of the officers and is well liked by all the men in the division.” In 1972, it was written of him, “His professional knowledge and expressive imagination have proven to be invaluable in obtaining the best possible service for the Canisteo Wardroom in the face of serious personnel shortages. Working long hours and displaying timeless effort, Dabu has inspired his men to give their best performance at all times. He gets along exceptionally well with his shipmates and has proven to be a diplomatic handler of delicate situations in the Wardroom. He wears his uniforms with pride…. his striving to do a good job has produced exceptional results.” It took Conrado only 7 years to make Petty Officer First Class. He is what the Navy would call a 4.0 sailor, according to his records. He was stationed in Norfolk, April 20, 1961.

In 1960, a young woman by the name of Nellie Gajeton Fedalizo arrived in Buffalo, NY as an exchange student. Formerly a pharmacist in the Philippines, she took a chance coming to United States as an exchange student for this new career field in Medical Technology. She was first Filipina student at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Her classmate was Conrado’s cousin, Benjamina Dabu Castro. Benjamina was determined to introduce them and she did. It was from there, courtship happened.

Numerous love letters from Conrado were sent to Nellie everyday. This lasted for 2 years and eventually he asked her to marry him. The couple got married in Buffalo, NY on March 28, 1963 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. As being the first Filipino couple to get married in Buffalo, they made headlines in the newspapers and a part of history. After working for a year at Mercy Hospital, Nellie moved to Norfolk, VA to be with Conrado and it was in Norfolk, they built their lives together.

They owned a duplex house on Bossevein Avenue in Norfolk, where EVMS currently stands. Their house became a haven for many Filipinos coming to United States. They gave many Filipino families a place to live to begin their lives in United States. It was then, Conrado and Nellie began their custom and tradition of taking care of their own here in the community.

As time went on, they welcomed Pacifico “Jun” Dabu in 1969 into the family. In 1974, they welcomed Jayne Dabu. Steward First Class, Conrado Dabu retired honorably from the Navy in 1974. He began his Real Estate Ventures by purchasing various apartment buildings in Ghent and Downtown Norfolk.

In 1979, Nellie was approached and asked to run for the Mrs. Philippines of Virginia Pageant which was a fundraiser to build the Philippine Cultural Center. She raised $15,000+ which rightfully earned her the title of Mrs. Philippines. With that money, the Council of United Filipino Organization of Tidewater bought a small house and lot on Baxter Road in Virginia Beach, VA. Conrado was enrolled in this mission and saw a greater vision to build that Filipino Center. This vision breathed life into him. His goal was to bring all Filipinos together to unite and build this cultural center where we can all be in community with each other.

He was one of the founders and Presidents of the Pampango Language Club. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Filipino American Veterans of Tidewater, Asian Fest, United Ilocano Association of Tidewater, Lions Club, Filipino American Community Action Group, Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau, Urban League of Hampton Roads, served as a Board of Director of Bank of Tidewater and served on the Board of Trustees for Council of United Filipino Organization of Tidewater (CUFOT) and he was the past Chairman of CUFOT for 12.5 years.

In 1986, he ran for Norfolk City Council. Unfortunately, he did not win enough votes, but he created it so that the political arena became accessible and not as intimidating for Filipinos to enter.

To demonstrate what kind of man he was, Conrado was so selfless, motivated and dedicated to the vision of unity, community and the building of the Philippine Cultural Center, he mortgaged all his apartment buildings, his own real estate to secure the financial backing for the building of the Philippine Cultural Center. He was the true definition of a selfless leader. Today, the Philippine Cultural Center is an extraordinary venue for the Filipino Community and the community of Hampton Roads to gather and hold several events.

Through the years, he became the grandfather to four boys: Connor, Cameron, Matthew and Benjamin. They were his pride and joy. He loved spending every bit of time with them.

Eventually he retired from Real Estate. He continued to be a quiet force for the community allowing his wife, Nellie to be his representation. His legacy and his vision for what he stood for all Filipinos in Hampton Roads lives on at the Philippine Cultural Center on Baxter Road. Conrado Dabu, from humble beginnings to making his mark in America has impacted and inspired many lives, politics and businesses here in Hampton Roads. His memory will live forever. He was a humble man and never forgot his roots.

Conrado B. Dabu, an extraordinary man, dedicated husband, loving father and grandfather, fearless leader, founder and visionary. His smile, his spirit and heart lives on our memories. What an amazingly huge contribution and legacy he bestowed upon the Filipino community of Hampton Roads. Let us all honor his memory, his legacy, the great contribution and gift he has been for each one of us and for the community.

In traditional Navy retirements, orders called “The Watch” is read to the retiree.

Steward First Class, Conrado B. Dabu, we are here to say, Dad, "The watch stands relieved… Relieved by those You have Trained, Guided, and Led. Dad you stand relieved… we have the watch..

Boatswain…Standby to pipe …Steward First Class, Conrado B. Dabu departing.”