A eulogy to my Uncle Ikko

by Mario Ugalino

Naimbag a rabii tayo amin Kakabsat, Kakabagyan, Gagayyem ken Kakailian! Good evening family and friends!

For those of you who don’t know me, siak ni Mario.

Francisco Ugalino Sr was my Uncle! I am honored and appreciate the opportunity to eulogize my Uncle this evening. And it is so great to see you all here tonight!

Francisco Ugalino Sr was born on August 17, 1918 in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to the proud parents of Gregorio and Teodora Ugalino. He was the second child of 5 children consisted of Bonifacio Sr, Francisco, Epifanio,Juana and Faustina. He attended school and completed the 7th grade, which is equivalent to graduating high school here in the US.

He later met the love of his life and married Auntie Maria Urubio on April 3, 1940. He joined the Philippine and US Army during World War II. During that time, Uncle and Auntie had 1 daughter Manang Enriqueta and later would have 4 sons, Pedro, Francisco Jr, Candido and Tereso.

After World War II, Uncle returned home and managed a rice mill for 15 years. During that time, Uncle taught his children many values like punctuality, work ethics, and the importance of family quality time. He enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished eating dinner with them every night. My cousins said that Uncle was a strict disciplinarian, probably because of his military background. Uncle would set an 8pm curfew every night for his children to follow. But if anyone of his kids (my cousins) came home late, Uncle would be waiting for them at the door and would ba-ot them with anything within his reach. He would yell at them for being late. Followed by letting them wash the dishes after dinner, and would make them kneel in front of their altar for more than an hour. I wonder who among my cousins received the most ba-ot. I have a guess but I better not say.

On the weekends and holidays, Uncle would take his sons to work in his farm where they planted tobacco, rice, corn and vegetables. He also loved to catch fish and crabs with his bare-hands that he would trap in the creeks near the rice paddies.

On July 6, 1966 at the age of 48, he immigrated to Hawaii with the help of his brothers, Bonifacio Sr and Epifanio (who were Sakadas who came here 20 years earlier), to provide a better living condition for his family.

Upon arriving to Hawaii, he worked for the Dole Plantation for a while and later transferred to Hawaii Country Club where my Father worked. Uncle later found a job closer to home and worked at the Mililani Golf Course as a heavy equipment grounds maintenance worker. His prayers were answered and dream finally came true by finding a perfect and carefree job for him. He loved driving in his heavy equipment lawnmower cutting the grass. Some days he would doze off making the lines crooked. He worked there for 16 years and retired on December 31, 1983.

During retirement, Uncle enjoyed going to his garden across Wheeler Air Base to tend to his fruits and vegetables. He is a family oriented man who loved to care for his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Uncle was also a very devoted Catholic who would not miss church on Sundays and Holidays.

Uncle also enjoyed visiting the Philippines. On September 3, 1989, he was elected to be the Hermano Mayor for the Feast of the Nuestra Senora De Consolacion. In which he took care of the Blessed Virgin Mary for an entire year. He felt this responsibility with great pride and very honored to be given that opportunity. Uncle would reminisce this joyful event by watching his keepsake video many times.

His last visit to the Philippines was in 2006. Saw many family and friends, his house that he loves to talk about. Unfortunately, was unable to return to the Philippines since then because of his weakening mobility and vision.

On February 20, 2012, Uncle started to come down with a common cold that became severe and was admitted to Pali Momi Medical Center on the night of February 24 and diagnosed with pneumonia. He was discharged on March 4th. Returned home to be with his family. While at home, he continued to have a cough, congestion and loss of appetite. Within a couple of days, his family decided to have him under the care of St Francis Hospice at his home. During that difficult time, his children, his Sister Juana, nieces, nephews and grandchildren showed their tender loving care for him.

The hospice nurse, Val, would visit and check Uncle twice a week. Despite being weak and frail, Uncle was still trying to sing his favorite Ilocano songs to his family and friends who went to visit him. They would talk and laugh throughout the day, night and the wee hours of the morning. As the weeks passed by, the singing and talking would start to fade as Uncle continued to refuse eating or drinking anything. He eventually was only able to communicate by nodding his head or squeezing loved ones’ hands..

On March 26, Uncle’s loving wife and children were there to check up on how he was doing. He was not in any pain, he knew that his family was there and that he could finally let go and rest. Around 710am, Uncle took his last breath and joined our heavenly Father. It was truly a blessed day.

Uncle was a very loving Asawa, Tatang, Manong, Uncle, Lilong and Apong, is now a guardian Angel for all of us. We should not be saddened by a graceful passing, but celebrate and remember his life and legacy, and now a new beginning. Tonight, we can smile, have tears of joy that Uncle is now rejoined/reunited with his son, Pedro, who he had not seen in years along with his brother, Bonifacio Sr, sister Faustina, father Gregorio, mother Teodora and other loved ones, but now together once again!

We love and salute you Uncle, You are our hero, you will be surely missed but never forgotten. Aloha until we meet again!!!