Teodora Santiago

Teodora Guevara Santiago, 96, was born on December 27, 1922 in Obando, Bulacan-Philippines. She was the fifth child born to Gabriel Guevara and Modesta Suagao. She grew up in Bulacan where she married Pedro Santiago in 1940.

Teodora started her business selling sweet grated coconut meat (bukayo) around neighboring towns and then she became a fish vendor in the Arranque Market in Manila for 35 years. She loved helping people and being around people, yet again with that same love she nurtured and cared for her nine children. Teodora had a beautiful and loving spirit and always had a sweet smile and a kind word for everyone.

Teodora became a Christian and accepted and gave her life to Jesus Christ. In 1982, she then became of member of the Power of God Christian Church.

Teodora moved to the United States in 1984 staying in Pasadena with the family of Mike and Annie. She was very involved in taking care of their three children. She loved them so much and whenever they were having problems she would tell them “Don’t worry, be happy”. Years later she petitioned her children to follow her.

Teodora loved good food and she learned how to cook and her specialties were leche flan, pork rind (chicharon), relyenong bangus (stuffed fish), and smoked fish (tinapa), and most of all sinigang (sour tamarind soup)…the favorite dish of her grandchildren.

Teodora was preceded in death by her parents Gabriel and Modesta Guevara; husband Pedro Santiago; daughter Ileoleta Santiago; brothers Celestino, Mauricio and Melchor Guevara; and sisters Timotea, Bienvenida, Dominga, Petra and Pilar.

She is survived by her sister Leony; sons Bernie, Mike, Rey, Nestor and Renan; daughters Cleotilde, Ester and Alicia; daughters-in-law Diana, Annie, Arcy and Digna; sons-in-law Manny and Samuel; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends to mourn her passing.