Jose Villanueva Arellano

Jose Villanueva Arellano, age 78 of Chula Vista, California was born on February 8th, 1945, in Cavite City, Philippines to Mercedes and Bernardo Arellano and was the third youngest child of eight children born to his parents. Jose was better known as “Peping” or “Ping” amongst family and friends for the last 78 years. Jose joined our Lord on December 19, 2023 after his courageous battle of cancer for the last 8 1/2 years.

Jose earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila with the financial support he received from his oldest brother, Ernesto. With his college degree, it opened career opportunities for him in San Diego, which landed him a job working for the Department of Defense at the 32nd Street Naval Base for 42 years before retiring at the end of 2015.

Jose was married to Josefina for 53 ½ years. They met when they were children as their families lived five houses away on the same street but didn’t date until Josefina was in college. After years of courting Josefina, they were married at San Roque Church in Cavite City on June 21st, 1970.

Peping knew he wanted to provide a better life for his wife and future children, so after he and Josefina were blessed with their first born, Anthony on September 2nd, 1971, at Bautista Hospital in Cavite City, Jose enlisted in the U.S. Army and left his brand-new family one month later to attend boot camp in Yuma, Arizona.

Josefina and Anthony joined Jose in Yuma ten months later and after he was honorably discharged after he served for two years, they headed west to San Diego in 1973 to be closer to family (that also immigrated from the Philippines to San Diego) and to build their future for their own family for the next 50 years.

Their daughter, Joanne was born in La Mesa a year after they settled their roots in the South Bay and from there, they continued with creating memories for their family with their new community – mainly through Los Chabacanos – fellow Caviteños that moved to San Diego, and with new friends made through the years. Jose and Josefina spent nearly 40 years building memories for their children and family at their home on Firethorn Street, which many parties were held over the years before it was time to sell their home and close that chapter in their lives.

Jose will always be remembered by his family and friends for his talented guitar skills, which he passed down his love for music and guitar playing talent to his son, Anthony. Jose showcased his happiness at the many gigs he enjoyed being a part of and with all the bands he played lead guitarist for through the years. His last band, Harana band performed often at the Knights of Pythius dance hall (known to others as “KP” for short) in National City for over twelve years. Playing his guitar was his passion, it was his therapy through his cancer journey, and it was a beautiful way to share his joy with others - through music.

Jose also enjoyed his time with his friends from Cavite High School, Class of ’60. Many have settled their roots in Southern California and managed to stay connected. Jose and Josefina enjoyed their time with Jose’s classmates at potlucks during the year, a cruise to Alaska, reunions back home in the Philippines, which included a fun field trip to a popular game show filmed in Manila called ‘Wowowee ‘, which Josefina was a contestant.

Jose is survived by his wife, Josefina, his son Anthony, daughter-in-law Michele, his only grandson, Ian, his daughter, Joanne, her husband Glenn and Jose’s two fur grandchildren, Mr. Simi and Mica. He is also survived by his siblings, his older sister Adoracion and her two daughters and their families, his youngest sister, Aurora, her three sons and their families, and youngest brother Armando, his wife and their children and families.

The family would like all of you to remember Peping for the music and laughter he brought into our lives. He lived with humility and often would help others in need. He truly enjoyed his time with his family, his friends, his high school classmates, bandmates, and the time he spent over 40 years as a parishioner at St. Charles Church in the South Bay. The last 8 ½ years of Jose’s life reflected how strong and brave he was with his cancer journey, but he also knew that God was calling him home as we come together to celebrate his everlasting life.