Romeo Balacang Rosete

The story of Romeo Balacang Rosete, begins in the farming lands of Tabuk , Kalinga-Apayao, Philippines. A literature evangelist named Simeon, fell in love and married an elementary school teacher, Miss. Jovita Balacang. They raised five children together: Dominador, Romeo, Simeon, Jr. Milagros, and Mayflor. Despite the Rosetes' humble beginnings, their children achieved Adventist higher education in the fields of nursing, theology, medical technology, and accounting.

Romeo's first paid job was at the Subic United States Naval Base in Olongapo City, where he worked for 4 years after high school. Despite the well-paying job, his parents encouraged him to go back to school and earn a degree. He was persuaded, and Romeo enrolled at Philippine Union College. During a Harvest Ingathering Campaign, where his younger brother Simeon was a leader, he met a tiny, yet fierce working student teacher, Miss. Teresita Ocampo. After a 6-year courtship, they married in March of 1977, at the very college they met at.

Their first child, Jennifer, was born the next calendar year in September of 1978. When she was just 6 months old, Romeo made the difficult decision to move to America, and save enough money to raise his family in the Land of Plenty. Following the steps of his older brother, Dominador, he moved to Florida, and got his first nursing job in Avon Park. The separation between him and his new bride proved to be more heartbreaking than expected, and he had every intention to return to the Philippines and leave the American Dream behind. Dominador stepped in again, and gave his little brother wise advice: to stay the course, and continue to save money. He reminded Romeo that hundreds of Filipinos were desperate for an opportunity to come to America, and it would be foolish of him to throw that opportunity away. Romeo recognized the wisdom in that advice, and looking for a fresh start, he moved to Houston, Texas, where he met friends that would last a lifetime.

The happy reunion of Romeo and his young family was 4 years after his initial departure, in April of 1983.

Houston has been their permanent home, where he and Teresita raised three children: Jennifer, Ryan Jay, and Leslie Jane. Romeo served faithfully as an elder for many years at Houston Fil-Am and Metropolitan Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He worked as an IV Therapy Specialist for Rosewood Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital until cancer forced his early retirement in 2009. After a year of intense chemo and radiation treatment, God blessed him with an additional 15 years. His spine suffered permanent disfigurement from treatment complications, and although he knew he could never bowl or play tennis again, he was determined, that it would never keep him away from two of his favorites loves fishing and gardening. It was that same determination of spirit that ultimately led to his death, sustaining a traumatic brain injury after falling from a ladder. His family was eternally grateful for the three and a half months they were given to care for him during his last days.

He lived a wonderful life for 74 years, where he was able to see his children graduate, walk his eldest child down the aisle, bounce 3 granddaughters on his knees, and travel the world with his one and only wife. He was well blessed, and well loved by all who knew him.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford.

A Celebration of Romeo’s Life will immediately follow the visitation, also in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy in Houston.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.