Armand L. Rubio

Armand Lina Rubio, 89, passed away on May 7, 2025. He was at home with family at the time of his passing in Los Angeles, California.

Armand was born on September 15, 1935, at St. Luke's Hospital in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. His mother was Saturnina Ynsiong Lina of Lipa, Batangas, and his father was Professor Hilarion Francisco Rubio of Bacoor, Cavite. He was the eldest in his family and had three younger sisters — Adelina R. Aquino, Evangelina R. Millar, and Anita Rubio.

Armand received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology when he was only 19 years old and passed his licensing exam soon after that. He obtained his Master of Business Administration at Ateneo de Manila, which propelled him to start his own business.

He was a brilliant man who managed a manufacturing company of 300 employees in his early twenties. He rose to the ranks of management of a British company called The English Sewing Cotton Co. Ltd. by scoring the highest in the British IQ Test taken by all management candidates up for promotion. Armand was charismatic and influential throughout his career, qualities which gained him a trip to England to meet and dine with the President of Rolls-Royce in the early 70’s.

In addition to his professional life, he was a devout Roman Catholic. He regularly visited the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, which helped him through challenging times in his life. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus at the Simbahan ng Pagkabuhay in BF Homes in Parañaque, Metro Manila where they raised their family. He carried a crucifix daily.

When it was time to migrate from the Philippines to the United States, Armand was a visionary and strategic planner. He executed a well-planned migration of his family with his wife Norma over the course of 10 years, ultimately settling in Los Angeles, California in the early 1980’s.

In his free time during the later years of his life, Armand spent his days painting and engaging in the arts. He was a prolific painter, voracious reader, engaging storyteller, and a jack of all trades. He completed his memoir, and we look forward to getting it published soon.

To many he was an engineer, entrepreneur, inventor and artist. But most of all, he was a family man.

Armand was a beloved husband, devoted father, doting grandfather, protective older brother, supportive cousin, godfather and uncle, loyal friend and dependable colleague.

He is survived by his wife Norma Grino Rubio, their seven children, and their children’s loving spouses. Armand’s eight children are: Dr. Agnes Rubio Joaquin, Ethel Rubio, Eric Rubio, Maria Lourdes Rubio, Catherine Rubio (spouse: Eric Trillo), Armand Rubio Jr. (spouse: Jill Rubio), Arnel Rubio, and Allan James Rubio (spouse: Tiffiny Rubio). His sole surviving sister is Anita Rubio. His grandchildren, from oldest to youngest, are: Aldwin Joaquin, Paolo Joaquin, Valory Rubio Banashek, Christopher Rubio, Vincent Joaquin, Azaclarisse Trillo, Leandro Joaquin, Jeremie Rubio and Bexley Rubio. He is also survived by many more family and friends he dearly loved.

In addition to his parents, two of his sisters, Adelina and Evangelina along with his eldest son, Eric, passed away before him.

He will be greatly remembered for his positive views on life, including, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” which loosely translates in Tagalog to “Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, may dahilan.”

Funeral Services have been arranged as follows:

Visitation: Thursday, June 5, 2025, 10 am - 9 pm, Forest Lawn, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Funeral Mass: Friday, June 6, 2025, 1 pm, Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana, 923 S. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA.

Celebration of Life and Interment: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 3 pm, Forest Lawn, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive Hollywood Hills, CA

Reception to follow after Interment.