Ernesto Mamaril Mangaccat Jr.

Ernesto Mamaril Mangaccat Jr. was born on January 1, 1939, to Ernesto Mangaccat Sr. and Conchita Mamaril Mangaccat. He was one of nine children, with five brothers—Orlando, Ronald, Robert, Ferdinand, and Marlon—and three sisters—Gloria, Lydia, and Marjorie. Alongside his siblings, Ernesto spent his childhood and young adult years in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, where his journey through life began.

In 1958, Ernesto attended Far Eastern University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance in 1962. It was during this time that he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Teresita Alicante Mangaccat. Their paths first crossed when Ernesto was a patient in the hospital where Teresita worked as a nurse. Little did they know that this meeting would be the beginning of a lifelong journey together.

Ernesto and Teresita were married on July 9, 1962. Together, they built a family filled with love, sacrifice, and devotion. They had four children: Errol Mangaccat (Sharon Mangaccat, wife), Terelyne Arcangel (Francis Arcangel, husband), Erric Mangaccat (Diane Mangaccat, wife), and Erwin Mangaccat. Ernesto also became a loving stepfather to Christopher Everitt.

After their marriage, Ernesto and Teresita, along with their growing family, made their home in Quezon City, Philippines. Ernesto was a hardworking and dedicated father who always put his family first. After saving enough money, he and Teresita were able to purchase their very own jeepney, a colorful minibus that became the source of their family’s livelihood.

For 22 years, Ernesto worked as a jeepney operator. He loved his work and took great pride in providing for his family. At the end of his shift, he would come home excited to count the money he had earned, often doing so with his children gathered around him. No matter how much he had made that day, Ernesto would always make sure that each of his children received a little something. It may not have been much, but to his children, it meant everything. It was one of the many ways he showed his love.

Together with Teresita, who worked as a registered nurse, Ernesto worked tirelessly to give their children opportunities they themselves had worked so hard for. Through their sacrifices and determination, they were able to support their children’s education and put all of them through college.

In November 1984, Ernesto and his family immigrated to the United States in hopes of building an even better future. They settled in Los Angeles, California, where Ernesto once again began working from the ground up.

He found a job as a parking attendant cashier at UCLA, where he worked for one year. Every morning, he would wake up at 5:00 a.m. and take the bus to work. His hard work and perseverance eventually allowed him to purchase his first car in the United States, a Mazda MPV—a small but meaningful symbol of how far he had come.

Ernesto later transferred to California Plaza, where he worked for 19 years before retiring. Throughout his years in Los Angeles, he found joy in the simple things. He loved reading the Los Angeles Times sports pages every day and faithfully followed his favorite teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

During these years, Ernesto and Teresita were blessed with six beautiful granddaughters: Raquel Trish Yoon (Ahram Yoon, husband), Justine Erika Rodriguez (Christopher Rodriguez, husband), Samantha Nicole Maldia (Jorge Maldia, husband), Monica Danielle Martinez (Mikhail Martinez, husband), Krystle Anne Mangaccat, and Haylie Angela Mangaccat.

His grandchildren brought tremendous joy to his life. He loved taking care of them, spending time with them, and watching them grow. To them, he was lovingly known as Lolo “Tong,” a name that will forever carry memories of his love, kindness, and presence in their lives.

In 2005, Ernesto retired and he and Teresita moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Retirement gave him more time to enjoy the things he loved. He continued watching his Lakers and Dodgers and enjoyed watching boxing, with Manny Pacquiao being his favorite boxer.

Ernesto also discovered great joy in caring for his indoor plants. He had a remarkable green thumb, and some of his plants grew all the way to the ceiling. Taking care of his plants was more than a pastime—it was something that brought him peace and happiness.

Every once in a while, Ernesto and Teresita would visit Red Rock Casino, where he enjoyed playing his favorite game, “Mister Ong,” On a couple of occasions, his luck was on his side and he even hit a jackpot.

Ernesto’s greatest blessings, however, were always his family. He was later blessed with three great-grandchildren: Lincoln Cole, Porter Francis, and Siena Rose with another great-granddaughter on the way. They brought another generation of love and happiness into his life.

In his final days, Ernesto was able to remain in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by the people he loved, with the help and care of Healing Hands Hospice.

On September 5, 2026, Ernesto passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. By his side was his beloved wife of 64 years, Teresita, who never left him—from the moment their lives first crossed in a hospital in the Philippines, through more than six decades of marriage, and until his very last breath.

Their life together was a testament to love, commitment, sacrifice, and family.

Ernesto lived a life defined not by wealth or recognition, but by hard work, generosity, perseverance, and love for his family. He came to America with hope and determination, worked hard to provide for those he loved, and found happiness in the simple moments of life.

Ernesto was preceded in death by his sisters. He leaves behind his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brothers. His legacy lives on through them. The lessons he taught, the sacrifices he made, the laughter he shared, and the love he gave will remain with his family forever.

Rest peacefully, Dad. You will always be loved, always be remembered, and forever be in our hearts.