Evangeline E. De Los Santos

Evangeline Esmane De Los Santos, known to many as Vangie, was born in Palauig, Zambales, Philippines in August 14, 1931. She lived in the small town with her parents, Pablo and Maria Luz Esmane with her nine siblings. While working at a fish market at age 14, Pablo De Los Santos saw her beautiful face and instantly fell in love. He has told the story many times of how he knew at that moment that he had seen the mother of his future children. At age 18, Vangie Esmane married Pablo De Los Santos on September 11, 1949. By age 31, Vangie was a mother to five beautiful girls and four handsome boys.

In the early 70s, Vangie left Palauig with her family for San Diego, CA. She worked briefly in a bottling company, and quickly adjusted to life in America. She watched her children grow up and start families of their own. She has a total of 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Vangie was the queen of the De Los Santos family and enjoyed spending time with everyone. She spent late nights with her in-laws playing cards. She enjoyed making her grandchildren laugh by singing her rendition of the Little Mermaid. She would take a grandchild aside and tell them, “you are my favorite, but do not tell the others.” As the grandchildren got older, they realized she said that to all of them.

Vangie is a fan of all desserts, and was often heard asking, “Is that dessert too sweet?” She is at her happiest when she is eating ice cream. Her husband loved spoiling her, and they travelled the world together. Vangie always said the best chocolate is in Switzerland, and the best desserts are in Austria and Germany. Vangie was an excellent cook and no one can beat her dinaguan, adobo and her Ceasar’s salad dressing. She will be remembered for her beauty, generosity and her kind heart.