February 5, 1927 - June 26, 2019
Monalisa Palicte Margaja Lubanga was born in Balambam, Cebu, Philippines on February 5, 1927. She was the third of four siblings and the eldest daughter (siblings: Domingo, Fausto, and Albina). She grew up in Balambam, Cebu where as a teenager pursued her secondary education at Cebu North Provincial High School where she met Francisco Naigue Lubanga. She went to the University of the Visayas and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science in Elementary Education.
On November 8, 1947, Monalisa and Francisco exchange wedding vows in Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines. Where they started and raised their family and at the same pursued careers in education. She taught at Saint Anthony’s Academy, a secondary school and taught Filipino subject. She then later transferred to Elementary Education in Tuburan District I.
Monalisa was a devout wife and mother and was blessed with five children, two daughters, Florabelle and Eva, and three sons, Danilo, Dennis, and Juan Guido.
In 1982, they migrated to the States and called San Diego their new home. Together, they enjoyed music where they were active with St. Michael’s church choir; they inspired other’s passion for music and arts, and they were passionate about family and friends. Monalisa loved to cook especially her specialty foods like torta and fish stew; she also loved entertaining guests and sharing memories and laughter.
Sadly, Monalisa passed away on June 26, 2019, in San Diego, California. She is survived by her children and their spouses; Florabelle Lubanga, Danilo & Rezenra Lubanga, Eva & Nilo Fulinara, Dennis & Josephine Lubanga, and Juan Guido & Anna Maria Lubanga; grandchildren and their spouses, Shelwyn & Doris, Gebi & Jiera, Madonna & Justin, Karen & Roy, Neil & Christine, Sean & Keena, Franz & Rica, Celeste & Alexine, Mark & April, Dennis & Dianne, Denise & Noly, Rainier John, Dean Paul, Francis Lester, Earl Julian & Chillsy and Alyssa; as well as great-grandchildren Sherry, Shawn, Shannen, Shane, Joden, Jieren, Ronan Lyle, Kaiden Leon, Alexandria, Aleck, Taylor, Matthew, Jacob, Keanu, Kenneth, Keanna Seanan, Van Kirby, Luan, Jemma Daenerys, Mason Joseph and Carter Fletcher.
Services will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in San Diego, California. And Monalisa will be laid to rest in Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California on July 9, 2019.
Monalisa was a good and kind person, who always encouraged everyone to eat first, whose smile brightens up everyone’s day, who opened her arms to everyone and loved them as part of the family. She was the matriarch of our family – strong, independent, and loved and will surely be missed by many. She will be reunited with the family we’ve lost and also, more importantly, her husband, Francisco.
