Virgil Sales Yalong Jr.'s Obituary
Virgil was a lot of things to many people but to everyone he was the man with the heart of a champion. Early Saturday morning of 11/12/2016, this champion fought his last fight.Virgil was important not only to his family but to the community at-large. He envisioned a community united through a collection of ideas and the arts. Virgil spent the last 18 years of his life committed to this vision. He was an educator, a mentor, a leader, an activist, an uncle, a brother, a son.Virgil was a teacher at the non-profit ARTS (A Reason To Survive) where he inspired many youth to find their voice and passion through art. He was the former assistant festival director of the Filipino-American Festival (FilAmFest) and was referred to as the “heart of FilAmFest.” Additionally, he was a playwright of the Old Globe Community Voices, Malcolm X Library Playwright workshop, and more. He also sat as Advocacy Chair of the Rising Arts Leaders of San Diego. All of this, among many other accomplishments speak to the legacy that Virgil is leaving behind.Virgil is survived by his parents, Virgilio and Teresita, his younger brother, John, his sisters Beverly Mae and Trisha.
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