Perpetua Zuniga Roxas

Perpetua Zuniga Roxas was born on March 7, 1944 to Egmedio & Magdalena (née Mendoza) Zuniga of Paco, Obando, Bulacan. The second of seven children was the apple of the eye to not only her parents and grandparents, but particularly to the several women in the family enjoying their single blessedness referred as “matandang dalagas”, that raised her to be the ever loving, God-fearing, and the thoughtful person she was. Fondly called as “Petring” or “Pett”, she truly lived up to her namesake of being the most favorite amongst family, relatives and friends.

Her education began at Paco Elementary School and onward to San Pascual Institution for high school in her hometown. During these formative years, her favorite pastimes and interest were playing the piano, baking and cooking. She volunteered heavily in church functions designing floral arrangements, assisting to the needs of the altar, and singing in the church choir. She was president of The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, established in Rome since 1562 to provide religious instruction to children and adults not attending Catholic schools, for more than ten years starting since her high school days to her late twenties. At one point, she did consider entering the convent and become a nun as she was very close to mother superior of Sta. Clara where she was a devotee to the cloistered order.

She grew up in a very conservative upbringing with the godmothers and aunties watching over her like a hawk during her college days at Far Eastern University where she studied medicine and became a pediatrician. Even up to her days as a grown professional woman working at Ospital Ng Maynila, she was constantly chaperoned by one of the aunts or old maids. Little did they know that a relentless young lad with a notorious reputation for his truthful wit and semi-bad boy image for fighting for what is right, also from a prominent family of Obando, Bulacan would court her during her graveyard duty at the hospital. He would always bring food which made coworkers happy, too. They first met while she was caroling at a gathering he happened to be at. Friends present at the affair raised the stakes by announcing that “Dra. Pett will sing a solo song to the highest bidder” and of course the young smitten fellow obliged and won the fundraiser bid. Many were shocked that the once chief of police of Obando and lawyer, Atty. Reynaldo S. Roxas, received the blessing of the Zuniga family allowing their princess to be wed upon his return from his first visit to the United States.

On her birthday in 1972, in the gardens of Monasterio de Sta Clara in Quezon City, Rey and Pett got engaged. After more than eight months of sweet long distance correspondence, the absence became unbearable, On May 6, 1973 at The Manila Cathedral the couple took the sacrament and vow of marriage with an unforgettable celebration at The Manila Hotel. Their marriage of almost 45 years with God as center of their love brought forth 6 children and 8 grandchildren. Throughout their lives of triumphs and tribulations, they inculcated upon their family the importance of God and the Catholic faith, moral values, and principles of character.

With a honeymoon baby in the oven, the newlyweds left behind successful legal and medical practices to embark on a new chapter of their lives; immigrating to the United States. In August 1973, they arrived in Los Angeles, making Carson their home. Pett started her medical study reviews to take the board exams as she promised her Tatay that she would continue her medical practice abroad. They welcomed their first born, Maria Reyza, on February 5, born exactly nine months after their wedding day. While enjoying her new role of motherhood, Pett had passed the first exam series of testing. They welcomed their second daughter, Maria Regina, on April 21, 1977.

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During these years, Rey, while working at Crocker Bank, was also receiving 20 and 40 footer container loads of Bangus (milkfish) Pangasinan imported directly from the fishfarm or Plaisdaan of Pett’s family as a joint venture. As business was grew, so did their family. Maria Reyda was born in February 1979 and the trio were soon called Tres Reinas. Pett styled the Reinas in matching dresses during Sunday Mass. Export Import lead to their own family product line fittingly named “Tres Reinas” of Philippine made goods like bagoong, coconut milk, and many other goods we see in today’s grocery stores to this day. Together, they worked diligently selling as wholesalers distributing to retail stores and catering to small Filipino communities across Los Angeles. They also did direct selling from their Ford yellow van at parking lots of churches, banks, and pop ups to eventually opening their first of 3 grocery stores in 1976 called “R.P. Trading” named after them, “Rey & Pett”, as well as “Republic of the Philippines” They were the first Filipino grocery stores in Carson, San Diego, and West Covina.

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The beloved couple became Fil-Am pioneers and the movers and shakers of the Carson community as well as the greater LA and Southern California. Pett continued her reviewing for the medical boards and was itching to work in a medical field environment. She then worked at Blue Shield but truly wanted a hospital setting thus worked as a phlebotomist at Harbor UCLA Hospital. Soon after, as Rey wanted for a son, Reynaldo Jr was welcomed in August 1980.

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With a growing family, and a demanding schedule to grow their businesses, they never failed to help anyone around, l especially their ministry of charity work and giving. At one point their residences were filled with many “bagong dateng,” or folks displaced and no where to go, all aside from her own family and relatives already living with them. Of course, Pett was ever ready and excited to entertain visitors all year round. A cousin of hers aptly called it, “International House of Immigration” and as always she would cook all meals for everyone and making sure she gave the “feel at home” vibes.

Truly, Pett with her forever partner in life, would be known to people as their “heaven sent” or “answered prayer”, for being the stepping stone of new blessings and opportunities. She welcomed the countless dozens of people that came to her doorstep. Pett lived and breathed kindness, love, and compassion. Moreover, especially to the church.

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The eighties were bittersweet. After Pett’s parents toured Europe and the USA for the first time, her Tatay was concerned about her delayed and pending medical practice. It was then she decided she would no longer pursue that path. Rey assured her that their three RP Trading branches would suffice as livelihood as their faith in the good Lord always provides. Sadly, their Carson branch grocery store was arsoned twice in August of 1982. Pett suffered PTSD especially when hearing fire trucks pass by. Unbeknownst to all, it also was the start of a financial crippling taking twenty years to fully recover from. Their faith carried them in the worst of times.

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Rey and Pett recognized the time and need for a Filipino restaurant in Carson. Their vision led to the first turo turo (point point) style restaurant. It has been said they were the first to start the trend across SoCal. After the building construction was completed, they initially opened as an ice cream parlor to accommodate their Gold Label magnolia ice cream business, the first to manufacture with US grade milk solids using Philippine tropical fruits. Over strategic time, it became a full fledged restaurant and “Manila Sunrise” still stands today proudly as Carson’s first Filipino restaurant, established in 1983. Pett’s passion of cooking and baking contributed to the success with tested and tried recipes of old and new including her love of making cakes but by special order only. Pett was in labor when she was decorating a three tier birthday cake for her niece, the first to celebrate a debut amongst the Roxas families. With her commitment and dedication, she ignored doctors orders, but successfully delivered both the cake and Reyniere in February 1984.

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With her husband, Pett was one of the 7 founders of the Our Lady of Antipolo Block Rosary group circa 1975 l with Mama Mary visiting the families once a month to now once

every 3 years. They also played a key role in introducing and sponsoring

the Simbang Gabi tradition to St. Philomena Catholic Church with

then pastor, Rev. Fr. O’toole circa 1974 and carrying the tradition for over fifty years. Little did they know that since introduced, churches across Southern California today celebrate Simbang Gabi, coming together on the first day of the 9 day novena at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels representing their parishes.

Always serving God and his church, Pett was approached by Bishop Almario to support, fundraise, and organize what became the five (5) USA-Canada Concert tours of the

Levites, the all priest band of Bulacan from 1996 to 2005. She continued to sponsor Seminarians on their paths to priesthood. To date, she has

continually supported many charitable organizations including,

Emmaus, a place for homeless senior citizens in the Philippines to

catastrophes like Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Yolanda. She would often say, “we are merely God’s servants on earth.”

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Life was on cruise control and slowly but surely all the hard work, sacrifices, and seeds planted since the mid 70’s finally flourished for both RP Trading and Manila Sunrise. Pett thought she could finally l enjoy the fruits of her labor and enter what she thought was menopause; instead it was actually her last pregnancy. She welcomed Reymund in March of 1989.

Life is too short and with that, Rey and Pett started their world adventures starting with Acapulco in 1990 with a toddler in tow. Over time, it was just the two of them touring. They made sure they traveled the 7 continents of the world and checked their bucket lists like pilgrimages to Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, and Oberammergau. To wonders of the world like The Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer, and the Danube River to name a few. Her other favorite things to do was watching her Filipino teleserya, crocheting, bargain hunting for garment-tela at the local swap meet, dressing to the nines only for special occasions, eating at her favorite places and most of all, being telebabad with her besties, here and abroad.

Pett recognized her parent’s love and devotion to family that she discreetly took the role of provider and protector of her Zuniga relatives especially after their passing. She continued and preserved the traditions set forth like the altar for processions on feast days, specific celebrations, and in recent years, family reunions. She is the most beloved and favorite sibling, tita, ninang, and lola.

Of all the roles, titles, and hats Pett has worn and dutifully filled, the most cherished one she loved was being called, “Lola Pett.” She is proud to have 8 grandchildren. She loved making memories with them through the years. She has taught them many lessons and imparted wisdom to help the next generation and beyond be proud of the legacy she has left them with. She showed and instilled sacrificial love above all else.

Pett had a gift that few people are born with — the ability to make anyone feel seen, loved, and at ease. She brightened the hearts of everyone around her. She spread joy, kindness, and compassion. She preached her Catholic faith and covered everyone with prayers, hope, and unconditional love. She is now dancing and reunited with her beloved Rey and daughter, Regina. She will be extremely missed. It is not “good bye” after all, but until we meet again, in eternal life.

Pett is survived and loved by her children and grandchildren, Reyza and Miguel, Marlize, Marcelline, Marchessa, Reyda and Randy, JR and Leslie, Red, Lizzie, Reyniere, Benjamin, Dominic, Reymund, and Kingston. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rey and daughter, Regina.

Siblings: +Segundino Zuniga, Eliseo Zuniga,

+Geronimo Zuniga, Rosario Zuniga, Danilo Zuniga, and Lorenzo Zuniga