Roman Manandic Castelo

Roman Castelo was born on June 23, 1923 in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Philippines to Eusebio Castelo and Petra Manandic. The youngest of 5 children, Roman was only eight months old when his mother passed away at an early age of 36. Since his father worked away from his family, he was raised by his grandmother and uncle, Eusebio’s brother. Roman joined the Marking’s Fil-American Troops as an intelligence operative on October 16, 1942, covering and linking Nueva Ecija and their units in Manila. He shuttled from one town to another to provide timely and accurate information on the activities of the Japanese forces. During the Liberation period, he enlisted in the Philippine Scout (US Army) and was trained in Alabang, Muntinlupa, Rizal for the planned invasion of Japan by the Allied Forces. He later joined the Philippine Army and was assigned to the 13th Military Police Company that maintained security and initiated peacekeeping operations in the province of Nueva Ecija. Roman was honorably discharged from the US Army on November 7, 1946. In 1945, Roman married Rosario Legaspi after meeting through an arranged courting and had 6 children: Efren, Nestor, Manuel, Arlene, Lorna and Ruby. He started working for the Municipality of Lupao, Nueva Ecija as a Land Tax Clerk. He went back to school, taking advantage of the education benefits provided by the Philippines government, and received his teaching degree in 1951. He taught for over 24 years in the Lupao Public School System, successfully retiring as the school Principal. Roman migrated to the United States of America in 1975 with the help of their son Manuel, who was in the US Navy. They settled in California and sponsored their children. He worked for Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a bottling company for most of his working life in California and retired in 1985 at 62 years old. On July 23, 2019, Roman was awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal by Tracey A Betts of the US Department of Veteran Affairs - Manila at the AFP Officers’ Clubhouse, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines. Roman passed peacefully on January 13, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosario and son, Nestor. He is survived by his 5 children: Efren (Virginia), Manuel (Nydia), Arlene (Melchor), Lorna (William), Ruby (Eddie), 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2020 with a Vigil at 6:30 PM, Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020 at 1:00 PM, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. Burial will follow to Cedar Lawn Cemetery, 48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont.

Roman Manandic Castelo

June 23, 1923 - January 13, 2020