Miguel Concha Rivera

Miguel Concha Rivera was born in Wailua-Honolulu, Hawaii, on April 16, 1931, to Benigno and Antonia Concha. He was the ninth child. Three other siblings did not survive. One relative said, “15-24 children.” There were more born later on in the Philippines, but he was the ninth child to have been born in Hawaii. He was his mom's favorite, as she often referred to him as “Dodong” while his best friends knew him as Mike. While he was still a baby, his parents decided to return to the Philippines by ship.

Raised in the Philippines, World War II had just started evacuating to the mountain regions and the family endured hardships. He met his wife Victoria Sabijon in Manila and went on to have two girls. His biggest dream was to come to America, so he prayed to the Black Nazareno (Jesus) in Quiapo. God answered his prayers. In 1966, he came to California. He worked and lived in the Bay Area for 58 years. A loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a diligent and hard worker with a photographic memory. He liked dancing the tango with his beloved Victoria. He loved playing the guitar and harmonica. He and his wife loved to gamble. At retirement, he happily enjoyed going to the casinos with his family. He lived a full life of 93 years.

Miguel is survived by his two daughters Teresita R. Ballesteros and Amanda R. Racuya, and their respective families:

Teresita 'Tessie' R. Ballesteros (daughter)

• Richard Anthony R. Ballesteros (grandson)

• Cesar ‘Tito’ R Ballesteros (grandson) + Jessica Campued (granddaughter-in-law)

• Jade & Jasmine Ballesteros (great-granddaughters)

• Gloria Victoria R. Ballesteros (granddaughter) + Orion Kantor (grandson-in-law)

Amanda R. Racuya (daughter) + Teonilo Racuya (son-in-law)

• Juliana Certeza (granddaughter)

• Michael Anthony R. Certeza (grandson) + Hoa Nguyen (granddaughter-in-law)

• Alexander Jaryd 'Chippy' R. Racuya (grandson)

Furthermore, he has four step-granddaughters: Maria Victoria Sabijon, Marilou Sabijon, Nanette Sabijon, and Helen Sabijon, who all reside in the Philippines. He also has one last surviving brother, Teofilo C. Rivera in Lomboy-Villiasis, Philippines.