Claro Valentino Rábago

Claro Valentino Rábago was born on April 26, 1938, at the now-defunct Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City to mother Rustica Galano Mangapit Rábago and father Trinidad Lagasca Rábago. Claro’s parents met while studying at Columbia University in the late 1920s – a time when Filipinos held status as US Nationals following the Spanish-American War and thus could more easily live in the continental US. Claro’s early life was shaped by an extraordinary journey when, at just 5 months old, he and his family, including older brother Trinidad Junior, crossed the North American continent and then the Pacific Ocean to visit his ailing grandmother in The Philippines. What was intended as a brief visit became a pivotal moment in young Claro's life when his grandmother’s health rebounded and his parents decided his family would remain in The Philippines.

While the Rábagos found themselves caught in the turbulent dawn of World War II and the Japanese occupation of The Philippines, his immediate family expanded with the births of his younger brothers, Victor and Florendo (Rendy). Despite desperate pleas to the US government for help returning to America, only Claro and Trinidad Junior as American-born citizens, along with their parents, were granted permission to leave. So the Rábagos made the heart-wrenching choice to keep the family together and stay in The Philippines. This decision shaped Claro as a boy living in the Pasay neighborhood of Metro Manila.

Claro’s childhood was centered around a home on the corner of Williams and Roxas Boulevard, later moving to Pat Senador Street in San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City. Even as a young boy, Claro exhibited an insatiable curiosity and drive. He was active in the Boy Scouts, contributed to his school paper, and developed a lifelong love of learning.

Claro attended the University of The Philippines, earning a BS in Chemistry in 1967 and an MBA in 1974. His university years were a testament to his dynamic, multifaceted nature. He threw himself into extracurricular activities at the University: he joined the “Y” Club and Mathematics Club, and took on leadership roles in organizations like the Photographic Society, the UP Chapter of the Chemical Society of The Philippines, and the University Union/Student Council. Most proudly, Claro became a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) International Service Fraternity, where he served as a Delegate to the National Biennial Convention, Scribe, and then Grand Chancellor. His APO brothers, which he affectionately called “brods”, became lifelong friends, with gatherings and reunions continuing until the COVID-19 pandemic. These connections reflected Claro’s enduring value of loyalty and the joy he found in fraternity and fellowship.

After graduation, Claro’s career began with promise and adventure. In 1967, he traveled to Tokyo to negotiate and finalize Philippine distributorship agreements with Japanese companies for Rejuvenators Company and Negaton Company. This was the beginning of many foreign business trips that lead to many countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. His knack for leadership and relationship-building soon led him to an executive management role at General Textiles, Inc.

It was during this time as a manager that fate’s serendipity stepped in. While leading a field trip of fifth graders on a tour of the facilities, he caught the attention of their young, humorous, and vibrant teacher, Teresita (Terry) Angelica Reyes Teves.. The children, excited and hopeful, saw a spark and declared that the handsome tour guide would be perfect for their beloved teacher. Two years later, on August 28, 1974, those children’s prediction came true. Claro married Terry, beginning a loving partnership that would span just beyond 50 years.

1975 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Claro, as he balanced his new role as an executive at Delta Motor Corporation with a passion that would define much of his professional life - teaching. Claro was appointed by the University of The Philippines Board of Regents as a Professional Lecturer, and later Senior Lecturer, in Public Administration and Business Administration at U.P. College Baguio. Claro found fulfillment in shaping young minds at his beloved alma mater. These years held special meaning for his growing family, as weekend lectures transformed into cherished adventures - with Claro behind the wheel, navigating the winding mountain roads to Baguio, creating memories his young family would treasure for decades to come. He continued sharing his knowledge with students while building a successful career in management consulting.

During those years, Claro and Terry had three daughters, all born in Manila: Vania first in 1975, then Dione in 1977, and finally Noëlle in 1980. In 1985, Claro and Terry made the bold decision to immigrate with their three children to the United States, seeking new opportunities for their family and marking a return for Claro to the country of his birth.

The path of immigration demanded both courage and humility. Claro arrived first in Los Angeles in early 1985, taking work as an accounting clerk at the Los Angeles Unified School District - a stark contrast to his executive positions in Manila. When Terry and their three young daughters finally joined him in the US later that year, they converged in San José, where they all squeezed into a single bedroom at his cousin's home.

During these early days, Claro and Terry worked quietly and steadily to establish their new life in America. After a brief detour as an agricultural inspector for the Department of Food & Agriculture, Claro found his footing at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, starting as an office clerk (while not letting this temporary position define him).

The Rábagos’ patience and perseverance began paying off in 1987 when the family moved into their own one-bedroom apartment on Park Avenue in the historic Shasta-Hanchett Park neighborhood. By 1989, Claro had secured a position with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency, where he would spend the next 25 years building a legacy of dedicated service until his retirement.

Throughout their years in San José, Claro's natural gift for building community and nurturing connections continued to flourish. He and Terry became fixtures in their daughters' educational lives, from serving on the School Improvement Program Committee at Fred Marten School to chaperoning many Lincoln High School choir trips. At work, Claro brought the same spirit of engagement, dedicating many years to the VTA Annual “Roadeo” Competition planning committee and helping strengthen the VTA Filipino employee resource group.

Claro and Terry reached a major milestone in 1991 when they purchased their first home in North San José. Even as they established their own piece of the American Dream, they remained committed to serving others, particularly through their weekly volunteer work at St. Leo the Great Parish. In addition, Claro found special contentment in his role as a Master Volunteer at the San José Municipal Rose Garden, where he tended to the gardens, pruning and nurturing the roses with the same care he brought to other aspects of his life.

In 2002, life came full circle when Claro and Terry made what would become his final move - purchasing a home in the Berryessa neighborhood of San José, next door to their very first landlord from their Park Avenue apartment days.

During these years, Claro’s family tree blossomed with the arrival of three cherished grandchildren: Mia (2003), Joseph (2005), and Layla (2012). His home became a lively gathering place, filled with laughter and love during countless celebrations—Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and birthdays—graciously hosted by Claro and Terry. They also extended warm hospitality to visiting friends and family, often taking them on memorable road trips to iconic destinations like the Golden Gate Bridge and Mission Carmel. Through these trips, guests experienced the Bay Area’s beauty and Claro and Terry’s deep pride in their adopted home.

Claro was known for his sharp wit, his willingness to debate about anything big and small, his ability to spend hours at an all you can eat buffet, his roguish, disarming sense of humor; and his love of 1970s music, especially Neil Diamond and John Denver. To his daughters and grandchildren, he will be remembered for the common refrain he said to them for years: “You know what? Daddy/Lolo loves you.”

In his final year, Claro enjoyed some experiences with his family that provided a capstone to a dynamic life well-lived. In August 2024, Claro and Terry celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a memorable family trip to Maui. Just two weeks before his unexpected passing, Claro and Terry attended their first NBA game as an early Christmas gift, excitedly cheering for the Golden State Warriors on Filipino Heritage Night.

Claro Valentino Rábago passed away on December 22, 2024, in Pleasanton, California, with his loving family by his side. His 86 years were marked by dedication to family, service to community, and an unwavering commitment to building a better life for those he loved. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Teresita; his daughters Vania (Mike McAllister), Dione, and Noëlle; his grandchildren Mia, Joseph, and Layla; his brother Victor Mangapit Rábago, and numerous extended family throughout the US and The Philippines.