Meliton Salon Salva

After graduating from Manaoag National High School, he ventured to the main city, Manila, to pursue his higher education degrees in Arts and Studies and Pre Law at the University of the Philippines and joining the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity. He transferred to Manuel L. Quezon University to complete his Law degree and passed the Bar Exams in 1961. He became both a member of the International Association of the Lions Club in 1963 and the General Auditing Office Lawyers Guild in 1966.

Tony met the love of his life, Maria Leticia (Letty) Tabayoyong, as schoolmates in high school. She lived in Manaoag’s neighboring town of Loaoc, Pangasinan. As Tony liked to tell the story with a twinkle in his eye, the locals in Loaoc did not take kind for neighboring “intruders”; however, he won her and them over with his charm and intellect and they happily married in July 7, 1956. They settled and started their large family totaling nine children in the city of Manila.

Tony was deeply devoted and dedicated to his wife, family and work. He worked in the field of Personnel Management and Employee Relations for most of his career in the Philippines working long hours to provide for their large family and striving always to be home by dinner time so the whole family could eat together. He provided well for his large family and as a noted disciplinarian he ensured the children focused on their respective studies and commitment to further education. He loved to drive to visit with family and connect with friends and often after Sunday mass would take his family to visit relatives or the younger children to an amusement park and treat them with a cherished snack. Throughout their marriage, Tony and Letty, kept an open house and warmly welcomed anyone in need of help or support and were always generous with their time. Tony also liked a good party and reveled in hosting coworkers, friends and relatives to their house for a night of eating, drinking, dancing and bonding until the wee hours. In public occasions, Tony was not shy with a microphone in hand and readily embraced being center stage to share stories at length.

In 1985 Tony, Letty and their youngest daughter Jay (Ay-Ay), immigrated to the United States to live in Los Angeles and Foster City, California respectively. He was essential in everyone quickly assimilating to their new surroundings and worked various jobs to establish footing and maintain financial support for his children and extended family in the Philippines. After many years of tireless effort, in 2005, he was successful in finalizing immigration for sons, Julius and Juvenal, happily reuniting with them in Los Angeles and the following year with son Joseph and his four children. An area that brought great joy and pride to his life, was his involvement in the gathering and organization of his wife’s family history which led to a first time ever family reunion gathering of over 300 relatives from all over the world in year 2008. His latter years were well spent deeply involved in family affairs all over the globe and enjoying visitations from his children and grandchildren.

Tony was preceded in death by sons Juvi (1990) and Juji (1975) and is survived by his wife, Letty, his children Jocelyn (Jorge), Jun (Zeny), Julius, Joseph (Enoy), Juvenal, Jumel and Jay “Ay-Ay” (Dane) and his 15 grandchildren: Rommel, Imee, Ryan, Bugs, Jai, Lance, Mark, Marvin, Tricia, E.J., J.O., McXine, Iah, Kysem, Coleen and 12 great grandchildren: Jemel, Janelle, Ramone, Andrea, Ray, Julian, Jillian, Amanda, Amara, Aeryn, Evie and expectant brother.