Valentino Rigor Quiambao died peacefully last Wednesday morning, July 23, 2014, in his son's home in Artesia, California. He was ninety-two years old. Valentino is affectionately known to his loved ones as Val, Tinoy, Tatang, and Lolo. Val was born August 5, 1921 in Victoria, Tarlac, Philippines to Gaudencio Quiambao and Nestora Rigor, the second son of five children. His siblings were Mariano, Gerardo, Ramon, and Nimfa. He was raised in Victoria, and finished high school at San Beda College in 1941. Val met Gloria Talon Magbag soon after, and the two married on February 19, 1943 in Victoria. Val continued his education at the prestigious Mapua Institute of Technology, located in Manila, where he completed his degree in Civil Engineering in 1954. As an engineer he was employed by the Philippine government's Home Financing Commission. Val and Gloria inherited his father's land in the province and the family continued to manage their rice fields in the probinsya. Val and Gloria raised eight children: Bessie, Romy, Rey, Willie, Mariel, Raymond, Elma, and Nelson. Despite having established roots in their native homeland Lolo understood the U.S. offered greater opportunities for his family and their future families. In 1975 Val was petitioned by their eldest daughter, Bessie and her husband Art, to California. Gloria and the rest of the family followed two years later. He worked approximately fifteen years for the Savin Corporation where he was a distinguished employee-of-the-year. A self-taught handyman, mechanic, gardener, and carpenter, Val was a man of many talents but above all he was a family man. Through hard work and resourcefulness, Val and Gloria purchased their home on Elaine Avenue in 1980. For the last thirty-four years their home has been a gathering place and refuge for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Throughout Val's lifetime he was able to travel to the east coast, Canada, and Europe. Still, there was no place like home. He loved to sit in his favorite chair and watch ball games. He was a fan of basketball and boxing as well. In his later years Val looked forward to the family's weekly mahjong nights. Valentino is survived by his wife Gloria, 7 of their 8 children, 8 in-laws, 14 of their 15 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Valentino Quiambao will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn in Cypress, California on Monday July 28, 2014.
