Bernabe G. Santos

“Bernie”

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather,

relative and friend,

Born on June 11, 1925 in Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines

Spouse - Purificacion Hermosura (deceased)

Children : Jean Santos Tampoya married to Eddie

Edwin Santos

Gilbert H. Santos married to Elizabeth Magno

Grace Santos Dominguez married to Conrad (deceased)

Arlene H. Santos

Grand children : Bryner, Brian, Jett, Katrina, Kenneth, Janine, Mary Gail, Denise, Jacqueline, Kristoffer, Byron, Lexus and Reggie

CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY

He was fondly called Bebeng or Bernie by friends and relatives. He was born and raised in the Philippines and was the youngest of four children of businessman Crispulo and housewife Esperanza. His siblings were Alfredo, Flaviano and Joaquina. He has surviving younger sister named Aurora from the second marriage of his father. He was close to his parents and got along well with his siblings.

At a very young age, he worked hard in helping his father in their family owned business. He served as a soldier with a rank of Major in Military Unit during World War II. He is an intelligent and hardworking man. Education is his priority. With the help of his eldest brother, he was able to go to school and at the same time worked at Clark Air Force Base, Pampanga, Philippines at age 16. When his soldier eldest brother died in line of service/duty, he decided to go to the big city (Manila) together with her older sister Joaquina to look for greater opportunities. He was a self-supporting student. They rented a small room in Sampaloc, Manila owned by the Hermosuras where he met Purificacion, the daughter of their landlord. Both fell in love. While still in college at age 27 years old and Purificacion at 22 years old, decided to get married on July 1, 1952. Right after their marriage, they rented an apartment and started a family of their own. Compassionate and devoted, Bernabe worked hard to make his new family happy. He is always generous with his time and Purificacion was all the world for him. He make sure that marriage and home ran smoothly. Bernabe decided to stop studying to support his wife who had only a few months from finishing her Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Centro Escolar University. When his wife finished her studies, he went back to school and finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce at Manuel L. Quezon University.

After Purificacion’s three miscarriages, they were finally blessed with a daughter, Jean born on June 16, 1954, followed by Edwin on June 21, 1956, Gilbert on April 1, 1958, Grace on May 8, 1960 and Arlene on April 29, 1965. His being a responsible and busy family man, Bernabe did not stop from pursuing another degree. He went back to school and finished Bachelor of Science in Law at Far Eastern University. As a father, he looked and attended to the needs of his children and wife. He always share his values and strong faith to our Lord with his children. He was a good provider and a generous man. He always think of his family first before his personal needs. He would always have something (pasalubong) whenever he came home from work. His children would always feel excited to wait for his arrival every afternoon.

WORK AND ACTIVITIES

Professionally, he started working at Veterans Affairs Office in Manila and he lasted for 37 years. He rose from the ranks (from Messenger, Clerk to Legal Officer to Department Chief) and his last position was Assistant Administrator. Being in the government service, one can have easy access and connections to gain more money thru illegal transactions and various corruptions but Bernabe remained cleaned and honest as he refrained from involving himself in any of the unworthy and illegal offers. Indeed, he was a principled and God fearing man, At work, he was very dependable and organized with his things and paper works. Everything was properly filed and arranged. He maintained the same at home too. It was easy for anyone who approached him to get his/her needed documents or files. He was tagged as the family bookkeeper because of his excellent organizations.

He migrated to USA to join with his daughter Jean in 1983. He worked in a textile company in LA for 5 years and then later on managed a car wash company until he reached his official retirement age.

RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CONDITION

In 2002 he started to have difficulty walking due to knee transplant and arthritis. He became heavy and had constant pain all over his body. During his worsening health condition, his family with hesitation and heavy heart, decided to take him to Mountain View Convalescent Center where he could have 24 hours and 7 days a week monitoring and proper care in addition to meeting people and enjoying various activities. Because of his great human and leadership skills, he became the president of all the residents. He was observed to had lots of fun with the residents, nurses, staff and everybody. His room was filled with hanging pictures of his family. His room looks like a convenience store. He got a refrigerator filled with food, He did not ran out of drinks and grocery stuff which he gave away to everyone who entered his room. He has his own television with cable and Filipino channel so he will be updated with news both in the USA and Philippines. He often bragged that he was the most well loved person because of excellent service being given to him all the time. He would generously share with nurses and caregivers whatever food his children brought. There were lot of times when he would be picked up by his children to watched every Pacquiao Boxing games and to eat in his favorite restaurants to be followed by shopping time. Eating out would not be complete without shopping for him. His children pampered him. He had enjoyable birthdays and Christmas celebrations every year with lavish food and gifts for everyone in the facility. His children made sure that he was visited and cared for.

On October 2015, he got confined at Henry Mayo Hospital for 1 week, after a day, he was brought back. His family got scared and thought that was his end but God was very good and extended his life on earth to give more loving bonding time and enjoyment with his children.

On October 20, 2016, his daughters Grace and Arlene came to visit him, they brought delicious breakfast. They spent the whole morning with him, sharing stories, reminiscing good memories and laughing. The sisters noticed that he looked different, he was emotional and kept on crying. Arlene asked him why and he said he was sorry for not doing enough for his children. The sisters hugged, kissed and assured him that he was perfect and doesn’t have any shortcomings. They assured him that he did his best and expressed their love for him. He was even asking when his life would end? Both Arlene and Grace replied “ Why? Do you want to leave us now?” And he said all of us will go on that same direction. At 1:00 pm , the sisters said goodbye to him so they can go home and sleep so they can go back to work at night.

The following day, his eldest daughter , Jean, came to visit him, he was sleeping and after awhile, she decided to wake him up to talk, unfortunately, he was not able to respond anymore. Paramedics came and tried to revived him but failed. He died peacefully in his sleep.

Bernabe with the help of his wife was able to raise beautiful and wonderful children. He was a highly respected, accomplished and well-loved man. He peacefully passed away to join our creator on October 21, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.

Behind him leaves a legacy of lifelong love, friendship and cherished memories. Bernabe will be missed so much. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember him.