Dr. Manuel N. Baculi

Dr. Manuel Noble Baculi passed away the evening of June 22, 2024, with Myrna, his wife and soulmate, by his side. His health had slowly diminished over a number of years, with a sudden downturn over the last nine months. He was 85.

Manuel was born on December 17, 1938 in Manila, Philippines to parents Mr. Macario and Mrs. Corazon Baculi. 

He was educated at the University of Santo Tomas from grade school to college, and graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine in 1961. He had his orthopedic residency at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Philippines and then migrated to the United States in 1967 with his young family.

He started his solo practice in the Los Angeles area. He was Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice and a Fellow in Family Medicine. He was active professionally, serving in different levels of leadership at various hospitals, and was elected Chief of Staff at Hawthorne Memorial Hospital. After 38 years of practice, Dr Baculi retired in 2010. He loved practicing medicine to the point where he decided to go back, serving as Medical Director at Ziba Hospice, at BioHealth Laboratory, and at UnifiedCare Medical. He continued to work until December 31, 2023.

Even with a busy medical practice, Dr. Baculi always had time to spend with his family. He had been married to his wife, Mrs. Myrna Mecija Baculi RN, for nearly 60 years. The love and devotion that they shared throughout their marriage was unmistakable as they were rarely seen without each other. They have five children, Maria, Manuel Jr., whose twin brother Manuel Macario died in infancy, Raymond, and Frans who they raised with so much love and affection. They also have a total of seven grandchildren who Dr. Baculi adored. He loved making memories with them by either joining them in their activities or going on adventures together.

Dr. Baculi stayed active within his community. He served as a one of the Board of Directors and then was President of the Philippine Disaster Relief Organization (PeDRO). He was also President of the Luisianians USA of Southern CA. He joined medical missions in Los Angeles and in the provinces in the Philippines. He served as President of the UST Medical Alumni Association of Southern CA and the Philippine Medical Association of Southern CA. He also spearheaded Filipino cultural arts awareness by presenting musical extravaganza “Nostalgia” productions and sponsoring the award winning “UST Singers”.

He was a Major in the US Air Force Reserve, a Commissioner in Aging in Los Angeles, appointed by then Supervisor Kahn, and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. 

He also volunteered at St. John Fisher Church in Palos Verdes.