Ethan Jaylib Soriano

“Sori” 

June 15, 2006 - November 6, 2023 

“You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.” 

-Author Unknown. 

Ethan was well-known for his basketball ability. He fell in love with sports at a young age and began playing basketball at the age of three. His parents recall that one of his first words was "ball." He proudly played for numerous teams, such as Marathon Hoops, The Truth OC, and the NYS Lightning, to name a few. It was on the Lightning squad that Coach Brian nicknamed him “Sori” due to another teammate who also shared his same first name. Ethan also participated in the City of Cerritos recreational program every year, where he played basketball, baseball, football, and soccer, and eventually ended up working as a scorekeeper for the city recreational services division throughout high school. After dislocating his knee in the eighth grade, which necessitated surgery and numerous hours of physical therapy, Ethan was sidelined from basketball for three years. However, through a combination of tireless effort and determination, he overcame these obstacles and secured a spot on the Cerritos High School JV basketball team, helping them win the 605 division his junior year. He later gained a spot on the varsity team and was looking forward to playing his senior year. Ethan was described as "the ultimate teammate, the epitome of hard work and perseverance" by Cerritos High. #soristrong

Ethan was not only a hard worker on the court but also an excellent student, taking AP classes and earning a scholar-athlete award for maintaining a 3.5 GPA. He was in the sports medicine pathway at Cerritos High School and contemplating a career as a doctor or starting his own physical therapy practice. His own physical therapy experiences from multiple sports injuries inspired him to want to help others get better. He aspired to be like his idol, Kobe, and was determined not to become another statistic. He wanted to recover from his injuries and perform at his best. 

When he was not playing basketball, Ethan enjoyed listening to music, playing video games such as NBA 2K, Valorant, and Osu, and spending time with his family and friends, making Tiktoks, drinking boba, and walking his dogs Suki, Illy, and Issa. He was also a member of several clubs, including the Key Club, where he served as an officer, and Club Kaibigan, where he learned traditional dances and performed at both Cerritos and Whitney High Schools' Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN). Ethan especially enjoyed performing modern dance routines with his friends. 

In solemn remembrance, we announce the passing of Ethan Jaylib, the second son among three siblings. Ethan was a loving brother and son. He is fondly remembered by his surviving family members, including his mother, Susie, father, Eric, and his brothers, EZ and Dre. Within the family, he held a special place as the middle child, and his departure leaves an irreplaceable void. Ethan's indomitable spirit and remarkable talents were evident throughout his life, earning him the admiration of his loved ones. His brothers lovingly described him as a person who excelled in every endeavor. Reflecting on their bond, Endre shared, “I could never win an argument against him, he always proved me wrong, he was so smart, I learned a lot from him”. In heaven, Ethan is reunited with his beloved grandmother, Mama Sue, and the cherished French bulldog of his uncle Adolfo, Heyzeus. 

Ethan is and will always be a beacon of hope, strength, and integrity. He applied this idea to all facets of his life, not just basketball. Despite his competitive nature, he possessed selflessness, kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion, always seeking to better the lives of those around him. In celebrating his life, we honor Ethan’s enduring legacy of wisdom, camaraderie, and love. And as his legacy lives on, he will continue to serve as a guiding light and inspiration to all. May he rest in eternal peace. #flyhighmyboy #LL22 #soristrongforever

“I see myself being a leader both vocally and through example, as I hope my work ethic will inspire my teammates to get better. However, I will stay passionate for any role to make sure the team wins.” 

-Ethan Jaylib Soriano “Sori” 
(CHS Senior Point Guard #22)

A mass will be held in his honor on December 29, 2023 at Holy Family Church in Artesia at 10:00AM with internment immediately following at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress. Viewings will also take place on Wednesday, December 27 and Thursday, December 28 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM located at the Patriot Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress.

A special thanks to Ethan’s loving family and friends for their support and contributions during this difficult and tragic time. All your donations will go towards Ethan’s memorial, celebration of life, and monument to his memory.