Concepcion Silvano Valera

CONCEPCION SILVANO VALERA, 89, (daughter of Marcelino Edralin Silvano and Adelaida Agcaoili Sambrano of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and wife of the late Judge Elpidio B Valera of Bangued. Abra), the inspiring, energetic, always smiling and good-natured Mom of almost everyone in the Fil-Am community in Metro Washington D.C., joined our Creator on August 12, 2018 Sunday at 5:07 a.m. She met her untimely demise after sustaining multiple injuries in a car crash accident on August 3, 2018, Friday, along West Broad St (Route 7/Leesburg Pike) corner Virginia Ave. in Falls Church, VA, U.S.A.. Mama Connie had always been picked-up at home by her Health Service car everyday Mon to Fri at 6:50 a.m. /7:00 a.m. to bring her to Lewinsville Adult Day Health Care Center (along Leesburg Pike in Mclean/Falls Church, VA) for her daily/ happy/ educational senior activities. Please pray for the eternal repose of her soul.

Mama Connie hailed from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte and was the only child of Marcelino Edralin Silvano and Adelaida Agcaoili Sambrano on Nov 5, 1928. Connie’s father with the Philippine Scouts which was later absorbed by the U.S. military & USAFFE, belonged to the 2nd wave of Filipino Migrants to the U.S.A. Connie’s mother died when she gave birth to her.

Concepcion was a former School Teacher, a former Fashion model, a Swimming and Dance Instructor, an orator and a young beauty queen . She was a colegiala-bred student from elementary to High School at Sta Isabel College and La Concordia College in Manila , Philippines. She finished her BS Education degree at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) and her Master’s Degree in Education in MLQ University. She also studied ballroom dancing, ballet and folk dancing and was a member of then just starting but now world famous BAYANIHAN Philippine Dance Company.

In 1956, she met Elpidio Barbosa Valera who just passed the Bar Exams then. The young lawyer never let go of Connie or Conching and practically tricked her into marrying him by requesting her to accompany him to attend a hearing/trial . Little did the lovely /naïve Connie or “Conching” know that the papers she’s signing were already the application form for a wedding license. As expected, Mama Connie’s family was furious over this matter having lost their over-protected daughter to a young budding lawyer. It was indeed a hectic life for Connie having married Pidiong, a lawyer/ politician who also, later became a Judge and a Commissioner for Agrarian Relations/ and Board for the Board of Review for Motion Pictures and Television under the Marcos government.

Mama Connie was given an honorable recognition as the 2009 MOTHER OF THE YEAR by the Sunflower Cultural Institute in the U.S.A. and was also presented the 2013 GRANDMA of the Year title. During her younger years, she was a Miss Maria Clara and had graced many events and had modeled fashionable clothes for high-end Dept Fashion store called “Aguinaldo’s” .

The Valera couple was blessed with 5 children (4 sons/ 1 daughter) : Dr Rodelo S. Valera, Lawyer Arnedo S. Valera, Businessman Samuel S Valera , former diplomat Grace Divina Victoria Valera and Nestor Valera (deceased)

Mrs. Concepcion S Valera had joined her only daughter Grace in her diplomatic tours of duty abroad (Tokyo, Madrid and Washington D.C. ) as well as her studies (in Australia) and tours of other parts of the world. All throughout her life, Mama Connie refused to feel old with her fashionable dressing, sweet smile, contagious laughter, graceful dancing and thinking always that she’s only between 65 and 75 and was even surprised to learn lately of her real age of 89.

Together with her daughter Grace and son Arnedo, she had frequented many community events, dancing, meetings etc. in the U.S. Arnedo is in the process of finalizing Mama Connie’s Bio cum Recipe CookBook (mostly Ilocano homecooked recipes), a surprise gift supposedly for Mama Connie’s 90th formal birthday event on Nov 5, 2018. The family, relatives, friends in the Community and the Lewinsville Adult DayCare Center and the Atlantic Medical Transportation had filled her life with all the love, care, fun and laughter. She had indeed “LIVED A LIFE THAT MATTERS” , an adopted slogan of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), founded by her children Arnedo and Gracia and other community leaders. Concepcion “Mama Connie” Valera’s sweet smiling face, happy /energetic disposition and fashionable style and good-natured personality had touched many lives inspiring many to live her LEGACY OF HAPPINESS and LOVE FOR FAMILY to stay young forever.

For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected] . Official mailing address : VALERA LAW OFFICE/ MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION , 3900 Jermantown Rd., Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Mama Connie Valera passed away at 5:07 am , August 12, 2018 , Sunday. She gripped her grandson Alex's hand, moved her lips a bit as if to say goodbye, then finally succumbed to the multiple injuries sustained from the August 3, 2018 (Friday morning) car crash accident in Falls Church, VA .Pls pray for the eternal repose of her soul. The family highly appreciates 9 day novena prayers, holy masses and/or your personal prayers for her so she would follow the bright light into the doors of heaven and enjoy God's KINGDOM forever. Our profound gratitude to everyone for keeping her happy at all times.