Moises Tulabot Bleza

Moises Tulabot Bleza passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Known as "Eseng” to his family and his townmates, he was born in Tanza, Cavite, the Philippines on November 25, 1930.

Moises was the eldest son of eight children from Brígido Arcón Bleza’s marriage to Elpidia Tulabot. From Brígido’s two previous marriages, Moises had an additional four siblings.

Having been born in a rural, agricultural area, Moises' early life was that of a farmer. As a teenager, he survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He graduated from Cavite High School in 1951, married Mercedes Cenizal, had two sons, and enlisted in the United States Navy. In 1966 he married Fe G. Sol Cruz and had two children. Moises retired from the US Navy as a Petty Officer 1st Class after 20 years of service, and eventually settled in San Diego, California. He later retired as a Directory and Recovery Clerk having worked at the United States Post Office for 30 years.

Moises loved his family and friends. He assisted several members from the Bleza and the Sol Cruz families through the process of immigration. He provided financial assistance and housing to new arrivals. He helped his sons in the Philippines with seed money to start businesses and a grandchild with educational expenses.

Moises was steadfast in his Catholic faith. He was a parishioner at both Good Shepherd Catholic Church and Miramar Airman - Marine Memorial Chapel. He loved hearing homilies. If a homily were not to his liking, he would attend a second mass hoping to hear a better message.

Moises was also devoted to San Agustín, the patron saint of his hometown. He was an active member of the Tanza Augustinians of San Diego. He looked forward to the Tanza Fiesta each year more than any holiday. For Moises, it was the best way to reconnect with who he was. He was the life of the party on August 27, 2022 where he shared memories and jokes with fellow townspeople and family members.

Having been a farmer, it should come as no surprise that Moises was very fond of gardening. He grew all varieties of fruits and vegetables, giving his harvest away freely to friends and family. He enjoyed watching football and baseball and he was a huge combat sports fan. His favorite fighters were Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao. He also loved dogs and snuggled them for their warmth. There was a time when Moises was feeding steak bites to a neighbor's dog so much that the dog broke through the fence! Moises did not repair the fence for a very long time so that the dog could freely come and visit. Moises also loved listening to what he called “The Sweet Music” sung by artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Jerry Vale, and enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show.

One material possession that Moises cherished was his 1963 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. He loved the power and the smoothness that the car delivered whenever he drove it. The Impala was a far cry from the carretela he used to drive in the Philippines. He often recounted his high speed car trips between Long Beach, California and Houston, Texas. He would talk about cheap gasoline and tossing KFC bones out the window of the car while he drove. Strangers constantly asked him if the Impala was for sale. Unfortunately, that car was stolen. He missed it dearly and would occasionally dream of it.

Despite earning two federal pensions, Moises always worried that he had run out of money - not from excessive spending but rather from a fear that comes from having grown up poor. He accomplished his American Dream; he purchased and paid for his home in a community such as Mira Mesa while never forgetting where he came from.

Moises is survived by his children, Hilario Reuben, Alex Moises, and Annabelle; 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; and, his siblings, Norberto, Eustacia (Guinto), and Isagani.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fe G.S.C. Bleza; his children, Hermógenes C. Bleza and Baby Girl S.C. Bleza (who died at birth); and, his siblings, Rosita, Gabriela (Hoya), Teodora (Trias), Francisco, Felicidad (Mateo), Gloria (Arenas), Máximo, and Domingo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com for the Bleza family.