Balbina Nazareno Espineli's Obituary
Balbina Nazareno Espineli January 9,1926- December 10, 2016 Balbina Nazareno Espineli fondly referred to as “Bing” was born on January 9th 1926 in Naic, Cavite in the Philippines before its independence from the United States in 1946. She passed away quietly in her sleep on the evening of December 10th 2016. Bing was a loving and compassionate wife, mother and grandmother. In her professional life, she was an accomplished dentist, military veteran, investor, realtor and entrepreneur. Bing is survived by her loving and faithful husband, Heliodoro “Ted”, her sons Reynaldo and Christopher, her daughters-in-law Betty and Cindy, and her grandchildren Erica, Karina, Evan and Elicia. She is also survived by her sister Eufrocina Nazareno Mangaoang and her brother Guillermo Nazareno. She was preceded by her brothers Pedro Nazareno and Jose Nazareno, and her sister Rosario Nazareno Poblete Bing was the third child and eldest daughter ofMariano Nazareno and Eufrocina Garcia. She was born into a large extended family with three brothers and two sisters. Her early years were a tumultuous period. She and her siblings were orphaned at a very young age, and in her mid-teens in the midst of World War II, she joined the underground resistance against the bloody Japanese occupation of the Philippines. She received recognition for her service by the United States Government as a veteran with full benefits and honors. She is part of a special group of Filipino war veterans recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded by the U.S. Congress. After the war she went on to complete her bachelors degree and further obtained the professional degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. She established a successful dental practice in the Philippines and then on April 14, 1957 married Heliodoro “Ted” Espineli, of Indang, Cavite. Bing and Ted immigrated to the United States in 1962, and then in 1966 moved to Taiwan. They returned to San Diego in 1970 and finally settled in the South Bay. It was in San Diego where Bing started a new and successful career as a realtor. She continued to be a licensed and practicing real estate agent in good standing well past her 80’s, and continued to effectively manage her investments throughout her life. Bing had a number of hobbies but particularly enjoyed cake decorating and cooking Chinese and Filipino cuisine for her family and friends. Her family and friends benefited from her unique experience of receiving culinary training from Fu Pei Mei, one of Taiwan’s world renowned Chinese chefs. Ever enterprising, however, she managed to turn these hobbies into small business ventures. Bing maintained her generosity and philanthropy though out her life, She believed in the best in everyone she met and was willing to teach, mentor and share her experiences with others. She always remembered her origins, the people of her hometown and her greater San Diego community. She was one of the founders of the Naic Association of the San Diego, Inc., a nonprofit philanthropic organization providing scholarships to indigent students of Naic and engaging in civic projects in San Diego and her hometown in the Philippines. Bing had a strong, charming, and no nonsense character. She believed in focusing on solutions rather than on problems; in always maintaining a positive perspective on one’s circumstances; and always remaining confident of overcoming whatever challenge life places before you. She had a strong spirit and a flexible mind, and was never ever afraid of hard work and never ever afraid of success. She will always be remembered and loved for her quick wit, generosity, compassion and kindness, and will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of her family, friends and community. We will all miss her kindness and warm smile. However, we take comfort in knowing that she is at the side of our Lord in heaven watching over us and always willing to intercede on our behalf
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