LUNA 1ST FAMILY REUNION

September 11, 2010Kennedy Park, Hayward,

CA

Produced by: Leona “Lennie” Luna Delos Reyes

AN INTRODUCTION OF THE

LUNA FAMILY

The handsome prince

Jacinto Galan Luna

was born on

02/10/1882

We referred to him as “Apung Cinto” (aa-pong)

and her charming princess

Encarnacion Gaviola

born 10/20/1906

We called her “Inang” (e-nung)

ABOUT GRANDPA, APUNG CINTOApung Cinto was known for being an intelligent man, one who was a disciplinarian, and one who pushed education to his children. He grew up in the Spanish era, hence spoke the language fluently.

Grandpa, was the only music professor in their town. He taught from violin, piano, name it, he did it all. However, when it came to his children, he waited until each of them were inspired to learn on their own. Some picked it up while others chose not to.

To add to their livelihood, he also ran a pawn shop from their home. Town people would hawk from jewelries (to you “bling-bling family members, you know where you got it from). In addition, some of the town people would hawk their land. This is how grandpa was able to acquire many properties at the end.

.

When it came to spending money, he was very conservative even to the point that he would hold back giving lunch allowances to his children. However, if his children wanted to buy books, they didn’t need to ask twice as reading was one of his passion.

Needless to say, Apung Cinto provided very well for his family until the Japanese invasion of WWII where they had to leave everything behind to move to another barrio.

After the war, grandpa had to sell some of the properties he acquired in order to get back on their feet.

Grandpa passed away in 1950 at the age of 68. Sadly, none of us grandchildren got to meet him and the only photo shown earlier is our only memory of him.

MORE ABOUT GRANDPA, APUNG CINTO

OUR GRANDMA, INANG

Inang was one devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a stay home mom for many years until the Japanese invasion and after grandpa passed away.

Grandpa was a simple person. She had very few dresses and only got dressed up when she went to church or when she was expecting visitors.

MORE ABOUT INANG

Inang was always surrounded

with her grandchildren. We

love her dearly. The house was

never empty, especially on

weekends. Would you

believe she enjoyed watching

boxing! Every Friday night, in

front of the television, that’s

where you would find her.

Forget about the fight…just

watching here was a show

as she really got into it!

Hilarious!

MORE ABOUT INANGOk, so she had one bad habit and that

was chewing betel nut with some

wild leaves, called nga-nga. Here’s a

picture of her preparing her nga-

nga.

As Inang got older, she enjoyed

playing cards and she would wound

up neighbors to play in the backyard

until she could no longer stay

awake.

Inang passed away on 12/28/1985

and we’re very blessed to have

spent many years with her.

NOW, LET’S MEET THEIR

EIGHT CHILDREN

VENERANDA “MARING”

Veneranda was born on 11/14/1924. Being the eldest, she played a major role in helping grandma take care of her brothers and sisters. Tita was one of the children who learned how to play the piano. She also performed on many musical stage plays in town, with her younger brother, Dading, to bring in some extra income for the family.

During WWII, Tita and grandma set up a sidewalk stand to sell food to the Japanese, food such as hard boiled eggs, tomatoes and watermelon.

So, how did Tita meet the love of her life?

Leon Otis Beck, a Private in the U.S. Army and a handsome Americano escaped from the Japanese during the Bataan Death March and found a home with our grandparents. The two fell in love and were married on August 15, 1944.

VENERANDA “MARING”Tita and Tito were devoted parents and

provided well for their children. Tito Leon

retired as a city worker while Tita

retired from an electronics company in

Silocon Valley.

In 1970, Tito and Tita opened their door

to two brothers; Tony, Dading, and two

nieces, Magara and I, to come to the

U.S. We will forever be grateful

Tito Leon passed away on 12/28/1999 and

Tita Maring on 12/01/2009

Read this amazing history on Tito Leon

http://www.zambalesforum.org/rebirth.htm

Tita was the first of the Luna to migrate to the United States in April 1945. Together they raised four children:1. Vyvian2. Marty3. Leon4. Mark

Tito has 6 grand children and 8 great grandchildren

DIOSDADO “DADING OR SOL”

Tito Dading graduated from the Feati University in Manila and became one of their outstanding math professor. He also became one of Grandpa’s best violinist.

He migrated in the U.S. in 1970 and worked for Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in San Francisco until his retirement in late 1990’s. Him and Shirley are now residing in the Philippines. His children are:1. Alvin2. Alma3. Rey4. Jennifer5. Patrick6. Christopher7. Portia8. Nora

Tito has 16 grand children and 7 great grandchildren

Dading was born on 11/30/1926. His wife is Shirley Gonzales.

ANTHONY “TONY”His wife, Tita Viring did her share of work by selling fresh fish in the market and working part time as Chief Traffic Collector under the direction of the town mayor. Tito first migrated in the U.S. in 1970 and then returned in 1982 with his wife and most of his children. It took many years for the rest of the children to come to U.S. but they all made it. They both reside in Sacramento, CA.

Together they raised 11 children:

1. Magara2. Antonio Jr.3. Chito4. Arnel5. Manny6. Alan7. Angie8. Lito9. Pura10. Jim11. Erwin

Tony was born on 01/17/1930 and is married to Virginia Razon. He retired as an educator in the Philippines; from elementary teacher to school principal to school district supervisor. He too became one of Grandpa’s best violinist.

They have 27 grand children and 6 great grandchildren

FELICES “CESING”My parents were married at young age and both worked full time; him as a bookkeeper and collector for a local bakery and later moved to managing a local theatre in while mom owned a clothing store in the town market.

All of my brothers and sisters were blessed to live with grandma, Inang, since we were little. Mom and dad migrated to the U.S. in the early 1980’s and his first job was working a galley at the NAVY base in Maryland until he moved to California. He then worked for an electronics company and Fuji Film in Fremont until retirement while mom worked for JC Penny. They now reside in Hayward, CA. There are seven of us children.

1. Lolita2. Anthony3. Leona 4. Albert5. Lorna6. Arthur7. Ariel

They have 19 grand children and 6 great grandchildren

Cesing was born on 11/29/1931 and is married to Alicia “Ising” Reyes (my parents). Growing up, Dad shared many stories about living thru WWII and the hard life their family endured.

BETTY Betty passed away when she was only

two years old

DARIO “DORING”He then worked as one of the few National Statistician of the Philippines and worked for many years as the Regional Director for the Bureau of Census until his retirement.

Tito was known to be the comedian of the family and he can make you laugh until you see tears rolling.

He was one devoted and loving father and his children miss him very much.

Tito Doring passed away 09/28/2008

Tito Doring ‘s wife and children reside in the Manila surrounding area,. Their children are: 1. Brenda2. Gigi3. Darius4. Janus5. Gretchen

Dario was born on 01/27/1936 and married to Solome Taguba. He was known to be one intellectual student who completed his elementary grades in four years vs. six. Genius? Definitely. He received his BS Degree in Deodetic Engineering from the University of the Philippines under full scholarship.

They have 7 grand children and 1 great grandchild

PATRICIA “PAT OR PATSY”

Patsy was born on 02/10/1938 and is married to Ernesto Almario. The two met at Tito Tony’s house in Guagua, Pampanga and ran into each other in Manila the following day and that was the beginning of their love story. Similar to Tito Doring, Tita is also one intellectual person. She too was excelled during elementary school. She earned BSBA, in Accounting from the University of the East in Manila.

Whenever you see Tita, the smile on her face is from ear to ear. She was one of siblings who learned to play the violin as well.

She and her husband worked for the government in Bataan until their retirement and provided well for their family. They reside in Balanga, Bataan. Both travel back and forth to the U.S. and Paris to visit their daughters. Together they raised three children:

1. Sheryl2. Darwin3. Alma Lou

They have 7 grand children and 1 great grandchild

AND THE YOUNGEST OF THEM ALL…ZENAIDA “ZENY” Tita earned her BS degree in

Education from Guagua National College. She then taught for three years until her husband swept her away to live in the U.S.

Tito Joe retired from the U.S. NAVY after 22 years and continued his career with the U.S. Postal Service for another 20 years. Needless to say they lived in many different States.

Tita worked for Woolworth’s for 18 years and then at an imaging center for five years.

Both of them are gourmet cooks so if you plan on visiting them, go hungry.

They found Las Vegas to be their retirement home. They raised three children:

1. Nancy

2. Joanne

3. Mark

They have 7 grand children

Zeny was born on 05/14/1944 and is married to Jose Reyes, who happens to be Alicia “Ising” younger brother.

L-R: Tito Joe, Dad Cesing, Mom Alicia, Tita Viring, Tito Tony, Tita Shirley, Tito Dading; (center L-R) Tita Zeny and Tita Maring

2002 visit in P.I. L-R: Dad Cesing, Tita Maring, Tita Zeny and Tita Patsy

2002 at a resort in Balanga, Bataan.L-R: our dad, Cesing, Tita Patsy, Tita Maring, Tita Zeny, Tito Tony

Beck Family

Tita Maring so happy to be with brothers and sisters at Tito Joe’s Retirement dinner. Check out Tita Viring and her stylish hat (u-la-la)

Tito Leon and Tita Maring , 50th Wedding Anniversary photo

50th Wedding Anniversary of Tito Tony and Tita Viring Immaculate Conception Church, Guagua, Pampanga

Family Photo

Tito Tony and Tita Viring’s

Family

Tito Cesing & Tita Ising’s family

Alvin Luna with his family

Tita Pat & Tito Erning Family

Tito Doring & Tita Sol’s Family

Tita Zeny and Tito Joe’s family

READY TO MEET THE REST OF THE LUNA FAMILY? SEE

YOU ALL ON SEPTEMBER 11.

IT’S GONNA BE A BLAST!

HINT! WE’LL BE PLAYING FAMILY GAMES, LET’S SEE HOW MUCH YOU’LL REMEMBER OF THIS BRIEF INTRODUCTION :O)