Ruben Seeckts Constantino was born on December 21, 1951 in Tarlac, Philippines. He was the second child of Antonio Bustamante-Constantino & Dely Seeckts-Constantino. He had five siblings: Rolando, Cleofe, Irene, Antonio Jr, and Pamela. In his younger age, Ruben became an “Altar Boy” at St. Michael Parish. Ruben grew up in Orion, Bataan, where he finished Sixth Grade in Orion Elementary School.
In 1964, the family moved to Angeles City, Pampanga and attended High School at Mother of Good Counsel Seminary. In 1971, he transferred to the University of Santo Tomas to continue college years. He decided to discontinue his Priesthood Vocation and finished AB Philosophy Degree in 1973.
On June 6, 1974, Ruben joined the United States Navy and was assigned at USS Mahan in Charleston, South Carolina. In less than a year, the ship had an urgent need to find a qualified Quarter Master personnel aboard the USS Mahan. Ruben was chosen by the Commanding Officer because of his College Degree. The CO later realized that his Filipino Citizenship disqualified him for the QM position. Due to the Ship’s urgency, Ruben’s immigration status was processed aboard the ship and he was sworn in as a US Citizen in just a few days. He served in the US Navy for 20 years and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer on June 10, 1994.
On April 1996, he joined the U.S Homeland Security, as a Custom Border Protection Officer. He was assigned at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California. He served for 18 years and retired in December 2013.
On October 7, 1975 he married Evelyn S. Rodriguez and were blessed with three children: Reginald, Michelle, and Michael and two grandchildren, Amerie and Reggie Jr.
Ruben became a member of different organizations such as, Orion Community Organization of California, Music and Friends, and Gawad Kalinga. He loved gardening, camping, singing, watching movies, sports, other outdoor activities. Ruben & Evelyn had traveled a lot during their retirement years. Places they had been were Rome. Spain, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Alaska, Australia, Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Peru, New Zealand, and many more…
Ruben was a very simple, humble, generous, kind, sincere, intelligent, resourceful, and very knowledgeable in history, sports, current news and religion. He was well liked by all his relatives, and friends. In the last 10 years, Ruben & Evelyn spent most of their time taking care of their 2 grandchildren and doing a lot of travels, dining-out, simple and fun things.
On November 2019, he was diagnosed of advanced stage 3 liver cancer. After months of treatment and appointments, his health started to decline. He died peacefully in his home on May 22, 2020 at the age of 68. Ruben prepared himself to join his Creator with acceptance, faith in God and understanding. Ruben will be greatly missed.
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