Ponciano Ramos Sr.

When I think of Lolo, I would think of a hardworking man who sacrificed everything he had so that opportunities for the future and beyond could blossom. He made things happen. I’d think of a man who was willing to let go and offer so much for his closest ones. He was a man who constantly remained loyal to his family despite all the hardships or obstacles that blocked his view of his most prioritized goal. And that goal he always had his focus on was for us to come to America. This man put his family’s needs before his without a single thought of hesitation, doubt, or insecurity in his mind. He always had that gift of putting his eye on the prize even though external barriers struck, and he thought of his loved ones before thinking of himself. This faithfulness and work ethic that he had and kept through his whole life has impacted us in ways we would have thought were almost impossible or unthinkable.

Often times, we can forget how lucky we are to be in America. We live in one of the best countries in the world. Without Lolo, we wouldn’t even be here in this diverse and beautiful land. We wouldn’t have had the chance to live in such a place where opportunities are always peeking and saying hello to us from every corner we encounter. We also wouldn’t have had the chance to travel to many magnificent places. Florida, San Francisco, and the Grand Canyon, just to name a few. Most importantly, we wouldn’t have had the privilege of having the amazing freedom to pursue the dreams and ambitions that we always desired. Our dreams would have only been little constant fantasies remaining in the back of our brains, eagerly waiting to be achieved.

It is clear to say that our lives here would be so different without the accomplishments of Lolo. The relentless amount of time and effort for him to travel all the way from the Philippines to America for the very first time all by himself is what makes him such a respectful man we can all remember in our hearts. He took on ANY jobs he could possibly find for many years, with his main motivation being just for his family. That just shows how deep his devotion for his wife and kids. It is astounding how much commitment he had in his life. His strong determination is the result of who we are as people and where we are right now. Our lifestyles we have formed and goals that we have attained would have never been fulfilled without Lolo. He is truly an inspiration for leaving such an impactful mark in the world, especially for his family. No matter what, we will always recognize Lolo as the man who changed our lives for the better.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Valhalla, North Hollywood, CA.