Camilo Mendoza Tagulao Sr.

Camilo Mendoza Tagulao, Sr. was born in Manila, Philippines on July 18, 1928 to parents Roberto Padilla Tagulao and Juliana Mendoza Tagulao. He was the eldest of ten children, and his siblings were Tomás, Rosenda, Nicasio, Lita, Florentina, Roman, Jovita, Ceferino, and Alfredo “Totoy”.

Camilo met his wife Corazon when they were young, living as neighbors on opposite sides of the same duplex home in Manila. Corazon had many sisters, but Camilo said that she was the one that caught his eyes. On March 16, 1952, Camilo and Corazon married in a double wedding with Camilo’s brother, Tomás, and wife Celerina “Laling”.

After the birth of their first and second children, Josefina and Reynaldo, Camilo and Corazon moved to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, after Camilo’s Uncle Panyo Mendoza invited him to teach at a vocational school for auto mechanics. Cabanatuan became the birthplace of Camilo and Corazon’s remaining children. Camilo and Corazon had nine children – Josefina, Reynaldo, Ramon, Cezar, Camilo, Jr. “Jun”, Evangeline, Luis, Ferdinand, and Joseph. Camilo and Corazon also had two additional sons, Cipriano and Angelito, who died during birth complications.

In Cabanatuan, Camilo taught at a vocational school for auto mechanics and helped start an auto mechanic shop for his brother Nicasio to support his family. Over time, Camilo earned his bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in automotive services while working full time and with small children at home. Upon completing his degree, he became a teacher at the Central Luzon Polytechnic College (CLPC), San Ysidro branch (now the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology – NEUST). Camilo acted as the branch head of CLCP, San Ysidro branch, and eventually became the department head for auto mechanics at the main school in Cabanatuan. He maintained two jobs, both at the college and the vocational school, working day and night.

Camilo was a strong Catholic and would pray the rosary every night with his family. Even when it was very late, he would wake up his wife Corazon and the children to pray the rosary. Camilo was devout to Jesus Black Nazarene of Quiapo and Our Lady of Antipolo. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish Cathedral, Cabanatuan. Camilo would also take his family to visit Antipolo City every year to pray for protection from Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Our Lady of Antipolo), even though Antipolo City was far from Cabanatuan.

When Camilo and Corazon immigrated to the United States in 1982, Camilo continued work as a mechanic on boats and then as a structural technician for General Dynamics working on aircraft wings in San Diego, California. After retirement, Camilo stayed active by working as a security manager and driving his grandchildren to and from school and other activities. Camilo was also a skilled gardener. In his first house in San Diego, he had a large backyard where he planted calamansi, sunflowers, and corn, which he sometimes sold to the local Seafood City. He continued gardening in his home in Murrieta, CA, where he also grew calamansi, as well as guava, tomatoes, and grapes.

Camilo was a hardworking and humble man that made God and family the center of his life. Camilo was a patient and kind husband, Tatay (father) and Lolo (grandfather), and taught by example that family is the most important thing in life and to always trust in the LORD.

Camilo died peacefully on April 23, 2022, in Murrieta, CA, in his home surrounded by family. Camilo joins his wife Corazon, children Josefina, Cezar, Cipriano, and Angelito, sons-in-law Artemio Manga and Villy Ragudo, parents, and deceased siblings in Heaven. Camilo is survived by three siblings (Florentina, Jovita, and Cerefino), his children and their spouses, 12 total (Reynaldo and Neriza Tagulao, Ramon and Norma Tagulao, Jun and Pat Tagulao, Evangeline, Ferdinand, Luis and Cez Tagulao, and Joseph and Rhoda Tagulao), grandchildren and their spouses, 24 total (Arlene Manga, Renee and John Onate, Christine and Michael Simpson, Raymond and Myrlene Tagulao, Christian and Jaclyn Tagulao, Norman and Mariefe Tagulao, Dianne and Mark Pangilinan, Carlo Tagulao, Vincent Tagulao, Ivan and Ivy Ragudo, Jayvy Ragudo, Angelly Ragudo, John Luis “Johlo” Tagulao, Christopher Tagulao, Leelan Tagulao, Lawrence Tagulao, and Coracelyn “Coryn” Tagulao), great-grandchildren, 17 total (Andrea, Andrei, and Ashley Manga Bernardo; Madison and Abel Onate; Stevan, Zoë, Riley, and Sarah Simpson; Emily, Ivy, and Camden Tagulao; Chloe and Leon Tagulao; Kurt Tagulao; Zion Pangilinan; and Leanna Ragudo), and many other close friends and relatives.

Funeral Mass at Saint Martha Catholic Church
37200 Whitewood Rd. Murrieta, CA on Wednesday, May 18 ,2022 at 10am

Home Visitation – 2 days

Tagulao Residence
40425 Erica Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562

Wednesday, May 18,2022 – 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
and
Thursday, May 19,2022 – 3:00 pm -11:00 Pm

Funeral Mass and Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum
4470 Hilltop Dr.
San Diego, CA 92102
Saturday, May 21,2022 at 11am