Ciriaca Marasigan Magbuhat

Ciriaca Marasigan Magbuhat (87) passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022. “Cery” as she was known, was born on May 4, 1935, in San Pascual, Batangas, Philippines. Her parents were Aniceto Marasigan and Bibiana Maranan. She was the third child of ten, with five sisters and four brothers. After completing her primary grades, she went straight to work to help her family. She had jobs at a food cafe, at her aunt’s storefront, as a nanny, and as a dressmaker.

At a young age, she was courted by Severino “Sebring” Cantos Magbuhat from Santa Rita, Batangas, whom she would later marry. Sebring joined the US Navy in 1956. For several years they had a long-distance relationship while he was overseas. In December of 1959, they married. Cery’s dressmaking skills allowed her to create the Barong Tagalog that Sebring would wear on their wedding day.

In San Pascual 1962, they welcomed their first child, Steven. In 1964, their second child Severino, Jr. was born. While living in San Diego, their third child Cynthia was born in 1966. Returning to San Pascual in 1969, their fourth child Simon joined the family.

As a Naval family, they lived in Coronado CA, Philadelphia PA, Norfolk VA, San Pascual PI, Jacksonville FL, Mayport FL, and Albany GA. In 1974, the family finally settled in south San Diego. Sebring would retire from the US Navy in 1976. Cery successfully raised her four children during Sebring’s overseas deployments. Cery is a breast cancer survivor having had a left-side mastectomy in 1973. Cery recovered by learning macrame, stitching pillowcases, and making ceramics. She also continued to make many of her children’s clothes.

Cery and family were involved with the Batangas Associations in both Albany and San Diego. In the late 1970’s, Cery spent several years working for Johnson & Johnson’s “A” Company in Sorrento Valley, making orthodontic parts. Cery attended Montgomery Adult School and earned her high school diploma in June 1980.

As devoted Catholics, Cery and Sebring were active parishioners at St. Charles Parish in Imperial Beach CA. She was part of the Filipino-American Cursillo, taught CCD classes, and was a Eucharistic Minister. Cery and Sebring enjoyed the international pilgrimage trips sponsored by St. Charles. At the annual St. Charles Bazaar, Cery could usually be found helping out at the Plant World booth or the Lumpia booth.

Cery and Sebring enjoyed going to local casinos to play Bingo with friends. She loved cooking and was well known for her pancit. Cery enjoyed entertaining and often hosted parties at the house. She also enjoyed gardening, playing solitaire, doing word-search puzzles and playing Connect Four.

When Sebring passed away in 2006, Cery dealt with health issues and found herself battling the progressively damaging effects of dementia, which led to her final years in hospice care. She lived a long and happy life serving the Lord and her church. She passed peacefully with her loved ones by her side during her final days. Cery is survived by her four children: Steve Magbuhat, Sev Magbuhat, Cynthia (and Franklin) Velasquez, and Simon (and Reynila) Magbuhat. Cery has four grandchildren: Alexi, Austin, Rianne, and Elijah.

For donation inquiries, please email [email protected]. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Magbuhat family.