Trinidad Gamban Baluca

Trinidad (Trining) Gamban Baluca, age 78, of Spring Valley, California passed peacefully on Friday, January 5, 2024. She was born on March 9, 1945, in Bato, Camarines Sur, Philippines. As the eldest daughter of Felix V. Gamban, Sr. and Soledad Guanzon Gamban, Trinidad was the beloved matriarch of the Gamban and Baluca families.

She grew up in Balatan, Camarines Sur and graduated from Balatan Institute. It was here that she met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Ernest (Erning) R. Baluca. After high school, Trining attended Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (now Central Bicol State University of Agriculture) in Pili, Camarines Sur and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.

Erning and Trining were married on August 16, 1969 in Daraga, Albay. In 1974, while pregnant with their second child, Trining emigrated from the Philippines to the United States to join Erning in San Diego, where he was stationed as a sailor in the US Navy. It was here in southern California that their family established roots.

For most of her life here in the US, Trining was a devoted homemaker, dedicating her time to supporting her husband's naval career and caring for their six children. She often volunteered to assist in her kids' classrooms and also carpooled them and their friends to and from school, sports, and events in the burgundy family van.

Her hobbies included sewing and crocheting. Trining and her mom often sewed costumes and fancy dresses for her children and others performing in the holiday variety shows put on by the Bicol Club and NSCI, organizations her family actively participated in for many years. An avid green thumb, she enjoyed gardening, and especially collecting orchids of different varieties and colors.

As a grandmother, Trining loved to cook for and feed her grandchildren their favorite foods, and did so with much joy and pride until her health took a turn and she could no longer do many daily tasks independently. Still she continued to look after her loved ones, ensuring they were safe and fed, even though she could no longer do the cooking.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Felix Sr. and Soledad, her siblings, David, Salvacion (Tampoco), Emmanuel, Jesus, Adan, and Evangeline (Turiano), and her granddaughter Sophie Elina.

Trinidad is survived by her husband, Ernesto; her children: Pete and wife Jennifer, Ernest and wife Rosanna, Ronnie and wife Gayle, Arnel and wife Andy, Francia, and Kevin; her grandchildren: Anthony, Kiel, Erin, Jonah, Elisa, Rinnah, Kristian, Isiah, Riley, Alijah, and Amelia; her siblings: Segundina (Senosin), Reinze, Nechita (Catig), Felix Jr., Job, and Ana Maria; as well as many beloved in-laws, nephews and nieces. She will be deeply missed.

A visitation for Trinidad will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Glen Abbey's Magnolia Room, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A Funeral Mass will occur Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 2643 Homedale Street, San Diego, CA 92139. Interment will immediately follow at Glen Abbey Memorial Park - Block 45, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.