Leonides Mendoza Manalo Sr.

Leonides Mendoza Manalo, Sr., 84, passed peacefully in his sleep on July 23, 2022. “Leo” or “Nading,” to those closest to him, was born the 2nd of four sons of Ireneo Manalo and Josefa Mendoza on March 8, 1938. He lived a life full of love, laughter, faith, and learning.

Young Leo/Nading grew up in the small provincial town of Mabitac, Laguna—in the middle of a war no less—where he developed his signature zest for life and adventure under the tutelage of his beloved grandfather, Nicolas. But it was his charm and intellect that would earn him his first taste of the wider world as the Provincial Scholar of Laguna to the University of the Philippines Experimental High School. Though, truth be told, he would likely have preferred it written that it was his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Vinia Manalo, where the real adventure began.

As with any adventure, there were some trials. The first was his passion for social justice and equity that led him to become the youngest elected konsehal (counselor) in his hometown. Next, he worked at ABS/CBN, dabbling in radio commentary, advertising, business, and was a political staffer during a very precarious political period of Philippine history. Moreover, as a spiritual man, Leo continued the healing practices he learned from his grandfather, paying homage to his cultural roots. The respect of which he instilled in his own family.

Luck struck the Manalos who reunited in 1972 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where they became mainstays in the Filipino community of North Philly. In Philadelphia, Leo’s strong commitment to community, camaraderie, and civic engagement manifested itself in co-founding the Filipino Athletic Association and made way for many Filipino men from the tri-state area to participate in the annual retreat for the Men of Malvern during the Lenten season. Participation now numbers over a thousand and is divided into two groups. This sense of communal spirit, especially one anchored in faith, followed him to Las Vegas in ventures large and small—whether that be in seeing to the flowering of the Las Vegas chapter of Couples for Christ or being a mainstay in his local parish and prayer group. Whatever the function, Leo always made his presence known—mostly likely with his boisterous laughter, steel wit, and, when still able, dancing. A man of impeccable style and unforgettable voice, Leo was always sure to leave any engagement with him memorable.

And while his great love will always be Vinia, he took great pride in family—especially his role as a grandfather, or “Lolo.” This sense of familial duty took him across the United States, from California to Texas, as well as to the United Kingdom. Though a seasoned traveler, it was these specific family visits that he kept closest to his heart. Luckily, most of his family eventually joined him in Las Vegas, where he was able to see his children’s families grow and watch as his grandchildren began their own.

Though from very humble beginnings, Leo lived a life rich with family and friends, the strength of which he always taught was the sign of a truly blessed and prosperous life. And for Leo in particular, this was punctuated by the sweetest end, a tender “I love you” from Vinia and a sweet kiss from one of his great-granddaughters.

A man of many hats, nicknames, and adventures, Leo lives on in the hearts and minds of those who are still with us, and happily joins his brothers and youngest son, Peter Bernard, in perpetual peace and rest.

Leo is survived by his family: mother of his children, Vinia; five of his four children: Vilma Manalo Gorre, Leonides Manalo Jr., Cecilia Manalo Croft, McNair Manalo, and Dennis Relucio, and their spouses; his eight grandchildren: Paul-John Gorre II, Hannah Pinzon, Leonides Manalo III, Irene Manalo, Joseph-Lorenzo Gorre, Eunice Relucio, Vanessa John, and Aliyah Relucio, and their spouses; and his four great-grandchildren: Caleb Isaac Pinzon, Kharlyle Angel Pinzon, Deviñia Maharlika Juna-Gorre, and Kai Benedict Pinzon.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 1st at 9:30 am, a Mass of the Resurrection and reception at Christ the King Catholic Church on Tropicana and Torrey Pines. A private interment with the family will be held at Palms at Eastern.