Felipe R. Buenviaje

Born September 13, 1931, in Polangui, Albay, Philippines, Felipe Ribaya Buenviaje, is the third among five children of Andrea Ribaya and Joaquin Buenviaje. “Pepe “ or “Philip” to friends and family members. He spent his grade school at St. Agnes Academy, Legaspi City, Albay and proceeded to take his secondary studies at Ateneo de Naga. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree with a major in Literature at the prestigious Ateneo de Manila. With encouragement from his mom and inspiration from his grandfather who was also a medical doctor, he took up medicine at Far Eastern University in Manila. In fact, he placed 2nd during his Medical Board exam for licensing among the thousands of examinees throughout the Philippines. His parents celebrated this accomplishment by welcoming him with a fiesta-like celebration in the town of Ubaliw, Polangui, Albay.

In 1951, Pepe met his one true love, Angie and courted her for eight years. His smart, quiet and gentle ways won his true love over and they exchanged " I do’s on July 8, 1959 at the Ermita Catholic Church in Manila. Their union brought forth eight children namely: Jose Joaquin (Jay), Felipe Ismael (Moppet), Stella Maria (Stella), Victor Domingo (Vic), Ma Rita (Maita), Alexis Alejandro (Alex), Tessa Andrea (Tessa-deceased) and Dennis Raul (Dennis).

Pepe and Angie started their family at Buendia, Makati where they lived in a compound with Angie’s six other siblings and their families in separate houses. At the compound he was the beloved family doctor to everyone. In 1968, they left Manila for Sorsogon, Sorsogon so Pepe can work at St Peter and Paul Hospital. Pepe left for the United States in 1971 and 1972 to take up his residency in Surgery at Hospitals in Milwaukee and New Jersey but came back to the Philippines to be with his family soon after Martial Law was declared in September of 1972. After seven years, the whole family relocated to Legaspi, Albay. By 1987, the family moved back to Manila to settle in the house of Pepe’s sibling, Vitit, who at that time migrated to the United States. By May 2003 Pepe and Angie also left Manila for good and had since then settled in San Diego, California.

Always simple in his ways, Pepe would never impose on anyone. He played basketball, tennis , ping-pong in his younger days and has always been a great chess player. His favorite pastime though was to spend quality time with his loved ones, but with eight growing kids and being the sole breadwinner of the family he had to sacrifice his time from his children and beloved wife to work abroad. Despite having been to many places, his humble and gracious demeanor never dimmed. He was happiest when he was at Angie’s side--- supportive, always smiling and always ready to assist.

Pepe is survived by his seven children and their spouses, sixteen grandchildren and two siblings