Artemio P. Agbay, Sr. was born in Bataan, Philippines in 1933 to Francisco and Mercedes Agbay. His mother died at a young age. His father remarried; Rosario Ramirez was his stepmother.
Family, cultural heritage, religion, and the study of law were central to Artemio throughout his life.
ON FAMILY:
He married Chulita Garcia, the love of his life and mother of their three children, in 1964. Judicious parenting and a loving environment were among the hallmarks of the home they made for their family.
As a father, Artemio was devoted to his children: Cecile, Artemio Jr., and Anthony. He was a provider in every sense of the word. Alongside his wife, he gave their children every prospect for success and happiness. He was effusive with praise and applauded them for their accomplishments, while also reassuring them when they faltered.
He was more-than-generous on birthdays, Christmas, and other celebrations. Likewise, he was generous with his time. When the children were young, he took them to playgrounds and gave them a strong push on the swing when they couldn't propel themselves, getting them to soar higher and higher. He encouraged them to do their best at school and offered additional support by attending their extracurricular activities.
As the children grew up, he fostered their independence by providing driving lessons, which he conducted with guidance and patience.
He brought the family to see exciting and breathtaking places like Baguio and many beach resort destinations in the Philippines. The family also visited major cities in the United States such as Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as amusement parks and other local attractions in Southern California.
Artemio's affection for the family unit extended beyond his wife and children. He had a lifelong, unbreakable bond with his brother, Ricardo Agbay, Sr. He also relished the role of loving grandfather to Belle; they brought much joy and happiness to each other.
His great regard for family was cemented by the decision that he and Chulita made to immigrate to Los Angeles, California in 1983, which paved the way for a life filled with countless opportunities for their children.
ON CULTURAL HERITAGE, RELIGION, and PERSONAL INTERESTS:
In addition to taking pride in his family, Artemio was immensely proud to be a Filipino. From the proper to the popular, he valued and upheld many aspects and traditions of Filipino culture.
He was a faithful Catholic, who practiced the religion and adhered to its liturgical principles. The seven sacraments, holy days, and festive occasions were observed and respected.
Artemio read and watched news reports habitually, staying well-informed of the state of the Philippines, Filipino civic life, and the country's political landscape.
When a Filipino triumphed on the world stage, especially in areas that were of great interest to him, such as basketball, beauty pageants, and boxing, Artemio beamed with pride and joined a galvanized nation in celebrating the joyous victory.
In America, he expressed his passion for the sport of basketball through his loyalty to the Los Angeles Lakers. He followed the team closely over decades, marveling at the marquee players and cheering on the entire team throughout the regular season, playoffs, and championship parades.
In addition to enjoying sports, Artemio had a love of literature and he was a voracious reader. He was constantly absorbed in mystery novels and spy thrillers. He favored stories at the cinema that offered similarly gripping and purely entertaining plot lines.
He also had a wide-ranging appreciation for music and took much delight in karaoke, singing the songs of popular Filipino, American, and other international recording artists with much enthusiasm.
Despite being a busy father and husband, Artemio, nevertheless, dedicated time to his friends by participating in many of their social gatherings. He recognized that friendship is built on the sharing of knowledge, the cultivation of mutual interests, and the enjoyment of each other's company.
ON THE STUDY OF LAW:
Artemio received his law degree from Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law in the Philippines. He would go on to practice in his field until his early retirement in 1983, right before the family moved to the United States. However, his lifelong interest in the study of law did not end with his retirement. He would go on to find meaningful work and friendships at Bet Tzedek, an organization in Los Angeles that advocates for underrepresented individuals and provides them with expert, free legal services.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Agbay family is very thankful to everyone for their sympathy and for helping us honor the life of Artemio P. Agbay, Sr.
We are particularly grateful to the entire staff of Monrovia Post Acute for surrounding Artemio with compassionate care, good humor, and for ensuring his safety during his residency.
-Thank you to the diet and nutrition and dining services teams for providing Artemio his meals and beverages with always a kindhearted word.
-Thank you to the social activities team for keeping Artemio engaged and thoroughly entertained with a variety of games, the trips to Walmart, and the holiday parties, among many other entertaining activities.
-Thank you to the housekeeping, laundry services, and maintenance teams for their gentle and kind words to Artemio and for making sure he always had clean clothing and linens, and a clean personal area.
-Thank you to the business office and administration personnel for their efforts on behalf of Artemio and his family, especially with navigating the complexities associated with Medicare, Medi-Cal, and long-term care.
-Thank you to the other residents of Monrovia Post Acute who befriended Artemio and kept a watchful eye on him to guarantee his well-being.
-Most of all, THANK YOU TO ALL THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AT MONROVIA POST ACUTE, former and current, who treated Artemio with dignity, offered their friendship, told him jokes that made him laugh heartily, sang to him, fed him, bathed him, dressed him, kept him warm, made sure he got plenty of exercise, administered his medications, and kept his best interest in mind. The Agbay family is keenly aware of how challenging your duties are, especially during a global pandemic. Please accept our deepest gratitude and admiration for your tremendous efforts.
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We are also very thankful to all the friends of the family who asked about Artemio and his well-being, those who kept him in their thoughts and prayers, and those who provided him with great care throughout his life.
-Thank you to all of Artemio's lifelong friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. He often spoke fondly of the good times he spent with each of you. Thank you for sharing your friendship and good company with him.
-Thank you to all of the healthcare professionals who cared for Artemio at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care systems, and other patient care settings outside of Monrovia Post Acute. They dispensed valuable medical advice and conducted life-saving treatments.
-Thank you to all of the emergency services professionals who ensured Artemio's safe transport to a medical facility in times of emergency.
-Thank you to Michelle Andrea Antineo, Julita Dizon, Marcelo Monte, Don Rodriguez, and Edith Rodriguez. Prior to Artemio's residency at Monrovia Post Acute, they cared for him with much affection and kept him safe. They cooked for him, joked around with him, and kept the family's Filipino heritage and history vivid in his mind.
When attributes for being a wonderful father and husband come to mind, they may include the ability to provide for his family, to offer guidance, to show extraordinary patience and understanding, and to display an immense capacity to love. Artemio exhibited all those qualities and more. On behalf of Artemio and his family, THANK YOU again to everyone for giving us some measure of comfort with your kind and generous support.
INTERMENT SERVICE (modified service due to COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings):
Friday, May 8, 2020, 2:00 P.M.
Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. 90068
***PLEASE DO NOT SEND FLOWERS. THE INTERMENT SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED PRIOR TO THE CREATION OF THIS TRIBUTE PAGE.