Daly City hosts Fil-Am leader’s 90th birthday party at City Hall

Ibarrientos family beams as 180 guests sing birthday song for Perla Ibarrientos. Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

DALY CITY, Calif. – Superlatives tumbled from the lips of this city’s leadership on March 21, when the community gathered en force at City Hall in praise of the beloved Filipino American many consider their second mother.  

Say “Tita” here and Perla Gange Ibarrientos immediately comes to mind.  Since making Daly City her home in the late 1970s, the retired pharmacist has advocated for parity and representation for Filipinos and immigrants, ready to show up and speak up, especially on her 90th birthday.

From City Manager Tom Piccolotti’s generous praise for “the greatest community leader in the history” of the municipality with the highest concentration of Filipinos on the United States mainland, to Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual representing his proclamation from the Feb. 10 council meeting, elected officials poured thanks and enumerated Ibarrientos’ countless accomplishments at the grand reception.

On behalf of the Colma Council, Helen  Fisicaro, the longest serving Council member in North San Mateo County with eight mayoral turns, expressed “eternal” gratitude for the honoree’s “passion and dedication” in the “many years of service and volunteer work…that make Perla an integral part of our community.”

Daly City Mayor Rod Daus Magbual watches as Colma Council Member Helen Fisicaro commends celebrant. Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

New District 19 representative in the State Assembly Catherine Stefani echoed the sentiment and wished Ibarrientos good health. 

Fitting recognition

Though unable to attend due to a commitment in Sacramento, California Attorney General Rob Bonta offered congratulations for “90 years of love, joy and accomplishment” in a certificate overnighted by his office.

His mother Cynthia Bonta, however, crossed two bridges with her Alameda-Dumaguete Sister City co-chair Flor Ventanilla to join the festivity.

“Ate Perla’s life is a testament to her enduring service to her beloved community and an inspiration to the generations that come after her,” noted Ibarrientos’ sister in service.  “How fitting indeed for the city to recognize her milestone achievement by celebrating her 90th birthday at the Daly City Hall!”

The celebration would have unfolded last Valentine’s Day, when she was born in 1935, but Ibarrientos requested postponement pending her primary care physician’s green light after she had tried to break a fall with her arm.

For a few weeks, she was forced to slow down and stay home, where she kept her phone abuzz hearing from and guiding residents on accessing resources or strategizing with fellow leaders on responding to constituent needs.

Honoree welcomes fellow pioneer activists Rodel and Edna Rodis, Goya Navarrete, Cynthia Bonta and Flor Ventanilla. Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Surgery was considered in mid-February spurring the City Council to issue the proclamation before her milestone.

That proclamation condensed Ibarrientos’ over four decades of dedication to the community.  

Among highlights, Mayor Daus-Magbual underscored her “unwavering commitment to public service… exemplified by the critical role she plays on the Board of the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center” and her appointment to the Daly City Public Libraries Board of Trustees as its first Filipino American member.

He commended her “dedication to civic engagement and community development” and her “leadership in advancing the socio-political issues of Filipino Americans, including initiatives such as smoking cessation programs, legal clinics, voter registration drives, and leadership development workshops.”

He stressed how her work in humanitarian causes “extends beyond local efforts, as she has actively participated in relief initiatives for natural calamities in the Philippines, showcasing her deep-rooted connection to her heritage.”

The proclamation was co-signed by Vice Mayor Glenn Sylvester and Council Members Manalo, Pamela Giovanni and Teresa Proano.

Healed and revitalized 

Eventually her care team recommended physical therapy and medication over surgery, allowing Ibarrientos to resume her daily self-imposed duties.

Whoever says 90 is the new 60 has only to see Ibarrientos in action, and stand corrected.  For the woman born on Valentine’s Day in 1935 has proven 90 in 2025 is the new 90: Strong, active, visible, engaged and, more significantly, proud to be blessed with purposeful longevity.

As if she had not suffered excruciating pain in her shoulder, their Tita Perla quickly began collaborating with PBRC president Marie Villarosa, office manager Liza Rebortura and volunteer Lou Padua on the logistics of what was to be the only time anyone remembers City Hall was hosting a party for a private individual, Filipino American or otherwise.

Last year’s Mayor Juslyn Manalo gave Inquirer.net USA the reason behind the city leadership’s decision to open the rotunda for the celebration.

“Tita Perla is one of a kind,” Manalo singled out Ibarrientos, whom she hailed as “extremely amazing…a pioneer who consistently serves with fervor.”

Noting her “ninang,” which Ibarrientos became after standing as principal witness at Manalo’s wedding, had “not skipped a beat” since her mishap, Manalo wished her “continued blessing and light.” 

Twenty-two tables began filling by 5:30 pm March 21 as family, friends, associates and admirers arrived bearing flowers, gifts and effusive well wishes.

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Feast for friends

The celebrant greeted each one lovingly – some 180 people with whom she had campaigned for social and political empowerment after she transitioned from PTA mom to community advocate, supporting diverse causes, including family and intimate partner violence prevention with ALLICE (Alliance for Community Empowerment) and resources for older adults with Peninsula Family Service Got Wheels! affordable transportation program.

Daly City Council Member Juslyn Manalo (left) greets her role model and real-life godmother. Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

She positively glowed in her white and pink terno as she made her way to each table, posing for the cameras capturing every moment, while across the crowded hall, Mig Ibarrientos’ eyes followed his bride of 61 years with much pride.

Guests feasted on traditional Filipino food served up by the woman of the evening’s favorite caterer Willy Carandang, who debuted his wife Chef Norie’s baby bibingka.  

The “jumbo one,” Ibarrientos said of the two lechon centerpieces, was a gift from Ibarrientos’ dentist Dr. Marilou Cuasay.  Both of her birthday cakes were a double present from her doctor Tony Wong.

North County Fire Authority Chief Ron Myers sent three dozen blush pink roses and department swag plus a standing offer of a cruise on a fire engine.  Definitely a safer alternative to the skydive President George H. Bush chose to mark his entry into his ninth decade.

“I’m so thankful for all my blessings,” the new nonagenarian told Inquirer.net USA.  “I’m looking forward to in the new decade, to good health and, as I was telling my children, if I have 3 to 5 more years, I’ll be so happy.”

Perla Ibarrientos had one day to rest afterward before heading to Broadmoor Presbyterian Church on Sunday,  to sharing her fragrant bouquets.  On Monday there she was again, attending the State of the City ceremony. 

She was one of two commissioners who attended, proving once again that age is no barrier for someone whose heart truly beats for community service.