Alberto C. Mendoza

Attorney Alberto C. Mendoza ("Bert" to his friends, "Kaka" to his siblings and "Dad" to his children) was 85 years old when he passed away on January 1, 2020, in Los Angeles, California after suffering a massive stroke and related complications.

Bert was born in Malolos, Bulacan in the Philippines on May 3, 1934. Bert was the son of Jose and Monica Mendoza and they had 7 children together: Bert, Sally, George, Carmen, Jose (One), Jose (Two), and Antonio "Vic". When Monica passed away, Bert's father subsequently married Belen V. Mendoza and together they had 3 children: Joji, Alex and Melanie. There is a 25 year gap between Bert, the oldest, and Melanie, the youngest, sibling. Despite the disparity, the 10 siblings remained close to one another and to this day they have annual gatherings to celebrate milestone birthdays, Christmas and other joyous occasions.

As a child, Bert was exceptionally smart. At the tender age of 16, he was admitted to the University of Philippines. At 21 years old, Bert graduated the U.P. College of Law. During his tenure at U.P., he joined the prestigious law fraternity, Sigma Rho. For over 20 years Bert practiced law in the Philippines and became a successful lawyer. In 1968, Bert married the love of his life, Lourdes Sayson Mendoza who is also affectionately known as "Baby." Bert and Baby had three children: Christine Mendoza Andries, Attorney Jose "Poch" Mendoza, and Alberto "Junjie" Mendoza, J.D.

Despite his accomplishments in the Philippines, Bert wanted to give his children a better life. Thus, in the early 70s Bert left his beloved home and moved to start a new life in the United States. He passed the California State Bar in 1975 and started practicing law in Los Angeles beginning at Shepherd & Daza and thereafter opening a law firm with Joe Lauchengo. He practiced civil litigation involving personal injury, family law and business disputes.

In the 70s Bert knew that Filipino Americans were underrepresented racial minorities, which spurred him to become involved in community activism. His community involvement include being a former president of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles; founding president of the Filipino American JCI Senators of California; former president of the Philippine Lawyers Association of Southern California; former president of the U.P. Alumni Association of Southern California; member, Optimist Club; co-chair, Filipinos for Good Government (Bradley for Governor Committee 1982); chairman, Filipino American Advisor Committee to L.A. County Supervisor Ed Edelman; former member of the Board, Council of Asian Pacific Organizations-Oriental Service Center; member, National Panel of Arbitrators-American Arbitration Association; member, American Bar Association; former member, California Board of Optometry (only second Filipino member at that time); former Commissioner of the Los Angeles County Commission on Obscenity and Pornography; and former Director of the California Overseas Bank.

As in the Philippines, Bert became a successful lawyer in the United States. He earned the praise and respect of his peers and was given numerous awards and accolades for his professional accomplishments and contributions to the legal community.

Bert was also a devoted Methodist. He was a member of the Rosewood United Methodist Church for over 30 years. In fact, Pastor Mark Marcos, was the presiding Pastor for several years at Rosewood along with Pastor Mike De Guzman and Pastor David Jamir. From 2009, he demanded that Cal-Pac United Methodist take a stand for justice in the Philippines. In 2010, he accompanied a delegation of missionaries to the Philippines who stood on the front lines at the gates of a military camp when 43 health workers were being unjustly detained for protesting against the government.

Thereafter, Bert helped lead the charge to petition to the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles to attend to the needs of various trafficked survivors who had fled their trafficker in Mississippi to Los Angeles. He persuaded his son, Attorney Jose "Poch" Mendoza, to open his home and host Thanksgiving dinner for these refugees. Bert continued on in his advocacy for justice and peace. In 2012, when Church and Society again began talking of another pastoral and solidarity mission to the Philippines, this time to the Lumad (indigenous) communities of Mindanao to learn more about their struggle for education for their children and protecting their ancestral land, Bert again joined. At 78 years old, he fearlessly joined the mission team members riding the habal-habal (local motorcycle transportation) up into the mountains of Mindanao in Davao del Norte. The Cal-Pac Philippines Taskforce made him their "Datu" (leader of the Lumad) in recognition for his leadership in ensuring the advocacy and work for justice and peace. In furtherance of his mission work, Bert returned in 2014 to Mindanao to spread the word on justice and peace for the Lumad and people everywhere.

Although his first stroke in 2015 left him wheelchair bound, his commitment to the fight against social inequality remained strong. An inspiration to the United Methodist and community members alike, Datu Bert, was recognized in 2016 when Lumad leaders, visiting the United States, held an event in Los Angeles for his dedication and solidarity working for justice and peace in their communities.

In May 2019, Bert celebrated his 85th birthday at Castaways Restaurant with his family, his siblings and their extended families. Although his wife "Baby" died in 2012, Bert was survived by his three children, his seven grandchildren (Erin, Mia, RC, Nico, Lauren, Phoebe, and Justine) and one great grandson (Jericho).

Bert was a man of noble and good heart. His parents and his faith planted the seeds of hope, and love, and compassion, and righteousness in that good soil of his.
He has harvested all the crops that he could, for the Lord has now called Bert home, to give his humble, faithful servant rest. All it now falls on us to continue his work, so that others in the United States and the Philippines might too have a chance to grow and to flourish without fear of oppression and injustice. That's how we will honor him. That's how we will remember him. That's what he would hope for. May God Bless the memory of Attorney Alberto C. Mendoza.