Family awards service-oriented youths in patriarch’s honor

Tala Awards organizers Edd and Vicky Aguilar Palomar (first and ninth from left) with awardees (center) Jizelle Oliva, John Bocaling, Krista Mananquil and their families. CONTRIBUTED

DALY CITY, California – Bulacan native Tony Aguilar lived a life of caring for others until his passing last year, according to his seven children. In his name, eldest daughter Vicky A. Palomar on Dec. 29 launched the first annual “TALA Awards” to honor his legacy of service.

“Tala” is “star” in Tagalog, a symbol of good in the Philippine culture and a universal emblem of excellence.  Tala also is an acronym for the name of the late patriarch, who was everyone’s “Tatay Tony.” Hence the name of the awards recognizing youths who emulate her that of her father’s example, Palomar, told INQUIRER.net.

Tatay Tony was “quietly” devoted to his nuclear and extended families as he was to his faith and his community,” said Palomar, a registered nurse for 40 years.

“He was not attached to wealth, giving every single dollar he had to someone he thought needed it more. He was also a servant of God as he was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Daly City, which he continued in the Philippines, where he retired. He served in every way he could, committed to improving the lives of others.”

The inaugural Tala Awards recognized three high school students who have demonstrated “their passion for community service.”

Teens in action

Art enabled Jizelle Trance Oliva to volunteer in her church and to overcome a major adversity.  She was 9 years old when she joined the Children’s Choir of St. Augustine Church in South San Francisco.  Five years later she was diagnosed with leg bone cancer that required a series of treatments.

“While in hospital I was encouraged to develop my skill for drawing,” she related.  Fate dealt another blow when the pandemic struck, further isolating the ailing teen, but also compelling her church to begin live-streaming Holy Mass.  A new opportunity opened for Jizelle.

“Our pastor invited me to help by creating graphic designs that accompany the daily responsorial psalms and prayers. For more than two years, this has been my way of thanking God and serving my community,” said the daughter of Oscar and Janet Oliva.

Jizelle is a junior member of the Praise and Glory Choir and the church’s Hospitality Ministry.  With her illness in full remission, she is able to assist parishioners especially in charitable engagements. The El Camino High School senior is also enrolled in the Middle College Program of Skyline College, where she tutors underclass members and organizes campus activities.

Krista Marie Mananquil also helps livestream church masses on the weekends at Our Lady of Mercy in Daly City, where she attended elementary school. Throughout the week, she gives of herself to her school by “helping my teachers with grading” and preparing for lab and then singing at school masses.

Reggie and Ronda Mananquil’s daughter extends service to the wider community. Aware of the importance of a healthy environment, Krista participates in “picking out invasive plant species and in beach cleanups” as a Girl Scout.

“Once or twice a year, I go with my mom to help administer flu shots,” said Krista, whose mother is an RN.  “I hope to do more impactful things for more communities,” said the Notre Dame senior, pointing to her participation in the Eagle Scout Project as an ideal platform for her intentions.

El Camino High School senior John Ethan Bocaling actively supports his church, Lighthouse San Bruno, by delivering food every month to families in Daly City, Pacifica and San Bruno.

“I am grateful for having grown up in a church that opens the door to youths like me to be of great service to the community,” said the son of Arline Bocaling. “Lighthouse collaborates with other churches in providing toiletries, clothes and food to the unhoused in San Francisco,” he said.

All three students received a plaque of appreciation and cash award as well as commendations from the City of Daly City presented by Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo.

Service is self-care

“Although we had hoped to launch the awards before my father’s birthday on Dec. 3, we held it on Dec. 29 after the holiday rush,” said Palomar, a veteran at mounting events as a longtime community leader.

Tireless “Tatay Tony” Aguilar found life unbearable without his wife, Lilia. CONTRIBUTED

Throughout her 32 years of employment at Kaiser Medical Center in South San Francisco, Palomar has served as president of SF Premier Lions Club Foundation and is Region 2 Zone 2 Chair of Lions District 4C4.  She is a board member of the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California.

At work, she sits on the executive board of Kaiser Permanente Filipino Association that awards grants to outstanding students and nonprofits as well as provides free health exams at community fairs.

Vicky and her husband, Edd Palomar, are themselves parents to five achievers in the service profession – two registered nurses, a construction project engineer, a manufacturing engineer and a radiology technician.

Vicky attributes their success to the example set by their grandparents. Tatay Tony and his wife, Lilia, had seven children including three nurses, a caregiver and a government employee.  Two children remain with their families in the Philippines.

As a newcomer in 2000, Aguilar, then 66 years old, found employment lasting 10 years as a baggage handler at San Francisco International Airport. He appreciated having a job and sought every opportunity to be of service on his free time.  Eventually he and Lilia returned to the Philippines to be with their other children and their families.

 “Last year was devastating for my family when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at 85,” Vicky looked back at what drove her latest endeavor.  “Five months later, my grief-stricken 88-year-old father, passed away too.”

From her sorrow arose purpose.

“I’ve learned to immerse myself with more work and projects to serve the community through my various civic and professional groups of affiliation,” she admitted. “In the  four times I flew to the Philippines last year to spend time with my ailing parents and attend their demise/funerals, I handled projects in the Philippines and coordinated projects remotely in the US to ensure completion.”

Her experience taught her that community service is an exercise in selflessness that can be self-healing.

“I guess it’s a way of alleviating the pain I’m going through or a therapeutic passage through the stages of personal grief,” she concluded.