Emelina Emy Salinel Yapdiangco

Emelina attended Ibajay Academy where she graduated as valedictorian of High School Class 1963. She completed her college education at the University of the East (Manila) with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, again graduating with honors - Magna Cum Laude. The same year she passed the CPA Board Examinations and became a Certified Public Accountant.

Emelina continuously strived to excel in life that led her to look for new and better opportunities in the United States. In 1973, she started her successful career as an Accountant for the City of Detroit, Michigan.

As she established her career, Emelina met a very handsome man, Juanito M. YapDiangco, Jr., who become the love of her life and whom she married on June 12, 1981. The happy couple is blessed with two children, Lyle born February 5, 1982 and Lezell born January 25, 1985.

In 1988, the family moved to Milpitas, California, which they considered home up to the present day. Emelina pursued her career and found a new job as an Auditor for the Department of Defense where she worked for 19 years until she retired early due to health conditions.

In 1992, Emelina was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and underwent a timely and successful surgery. However in 2006, medical tests performed on her confirmed that she had Ovarian Cancer and underwent a series of chemotherapy sessions using various types of chemo medicine. Driven by her strong will and determination, the treatment went on for eight long years which surprised her Oncologist who initially gave her only two years to live.

Emelina lived a very productive and meaningful life and spent waking hours being a good and ideal wife, mother and friend. She enjoyed gardening and baking, traveling with the family, singing karaoke, and dancing the night away. She also loved visiting casinos and shopping up to closing. Most of all, Emelina valued first and foremost her family and faith. With a big heart, she was always caring and thoughtful. During tough and trying times, she maintained a strong and brave stance backed up by her positive attitude towards life. In her last weeks of life, she showed her incredibly high spirits, as she reflected upon her life with great pride, peace and gratitude.

Emelina Salinel YapDiangco passed away July 27, 2014 with her family members by her side. Emelina will be remembered for her kindness and joyful love, given freely to all who knew her. She will be truly missed but will stay forever in our hearts.

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Emelina Salinel YapDiangco was born January 12, 1947 in Ibajay, Aklan, Philippines. She was the youngest girl of nine children.

Emelina lived a very productive and meaningful life and spent waking hours being a good and ideal wife, mother and friend. She enjoyed gardening and baking, traveling with the family, singing karaoke, and dancing the night away. She also loved visiting casinos and shopping up to closing. Most of all, Emelina valued first and foremost her family and faith. With a big heart, she was always caring and thoughtful. During tough and trying times, she maintained a strong and brave stance backed up by her positive attitude towards life. In her last weeks of life, she showed her incredibly high spirits, as she reflected upon her life with great pride, peace and gratitude.

Emelina Salinel YapDiangco passed away July 27, 2014 with her family members by her side. Emelina will be remembered for her kindness and joyful love, given freely to all who knew her. She will be truly missed but will stay forever in our hearts.