Teresita "Terry" Certeza Yap

In her youth, Terry was studious and devout in her religion. In school, she studied accounting and obtained her CPA license in the Philippines.

At the age of 18 Terry started dating Abel, her college sweetheart, they married 10 years later on May 4, 1974. In December of that same year, they both moved to the United States and began a life there, building a strong foundation for their family.

In 1976, they had one daughter, Khristine. As a mother, she loved wholeheartedly and unconditionally, always wanting the very best for her daughter.

Terry began her accounting career in the States. She worked for Zelman Development, a commercial real estate company, as a Controller, and the head of the accounting department. She was meticulous, accurate, and hard-working, commuting to downtown Los Angeles every day for 40 years.

Terry loved to travel. She saw many countries in all of Europe, South America, Asia, visited the Holy Land, along with several pilgrimages. She truly enjoyed being out in the world, seeing other places and experiencing different cultures.

She also loved to sew; she had a small period as a seamstress in Los Angeles before her career. She was talented, having sewn intricate dresses, curtains, and pillows, and her meticulousness showed in everything she did.

When Terry became a grandmother, the unconditional love she showed had no bounds. She was doting and caring, and somehow lost the ability to say “no” to anything her grandkids wanted. She gave so much of her time and love.

Terry had faith in the Lord and Jesus in its purest form. As a teenager, she wanted to be a nun. As an adult, she led every day with strong faith. She loved to go to church daily and say the Rosary with her Rosary prayer group every day at 5:00 pm. She was a true example of living her life by shining the light of Jesus.

She went by many names, Mom, Ama, Terry, Baby, Tita Baby, and Tita Princess. Similarly, she had many fulfilling roles in her life, touching people in ways through her guidance, support, and love.

Her impact as a matriarch to her immediate and extended family is widespread. She will be sorely missed. Her family trusts in the Lord that she is resting with her husband in peace and grace together forever.