Share our celebrations of Rogelio's life

Rogelio “Rolly” Villegas Sr. was born on July 30th, 1933 in Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines to Pulina Torres and Alipio Villegas. He grew up with two brothers and four sisters. Rogelio dedicated himself to supporting his family by getting the necessary education and work to be able to provide for them. He attended 15 years of school against all odds with the little money and resources available to him. A full day’s work with his father and brothers selling magazines and empty bottles, commuting from his schools in Manila to his home in Malolos, and ending the day with a single candle to light up his late night of study was a standard school day for young Rogelio. Later he graduated from Mapúa Institute of Technology with double degrees of Bachelors of Science in Architecture and Civil - Engineering in 1958 and went on to work for Meralco Electric Company as an architect. Helping his family wasn’t his only goal as it was also his mission to help people in need, especially in his country. As a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, he was recognized with a medal of honor from President Ferdinand Marcos for his heroic act of entering the collapsing Ruby Tower and saving multiple lives during the 1968 Casiguran earthquake. In 1961, he welcomed into the world his eldest son Michael “Angel” Villegas with his wife Justina. Determined to give her the best treatment for her underlying illness, he sold all his assets and immigrated with them into the United States in 1970.

In America, his life changed as he lived through and overcame many ups and downs while finding new roots for his family. He lost his wife to her illness but found community in the Catholic church and a lifelong friendship with his brother-in-law and fellow military buff, Roderick McLeod Sr., who helped him and Michael settle in. In 1976, he gave us his middle child Rogelio “Roggie” Villegas Jr. with his second wife Aurora and her daughter Teresa. At this point, Rogelio had already begun to literally build his way through San Francisco by moving into new homes, renovating them, and even helping build out his neighbors' homes. In 1988, he welcomed his youngest son Nathaniel Villegas with his current wife Evelyn. Life finally settled down with the family he had made while working for the City College of San Francisco as a building superintendent and served 31 years until his retirement in 2007. In 1999, he welcomed his one and only, favorite granddaughter Angel Rose Villegas with Michael and Susana. Despite his fulfilling life in America, Rogelio never forgot his siblings, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews in the Philippines. He continued to provide and spend quality time with them as he traveled back and forth, still designing and building new homes for his family members in Guiguinto, Bulacan and San Francisco. 

Rogelio was a family man first and foremost. He always preached the value of family and how irreplaceable they are. He was first on everyone’s list to call when they needed help and he always answered. He was a fighter with only determination and hardwork in his vocabulary. Everything he did was to ensure a better life than he experienced for his family at home and in the Philippines. In addition to that, Rogelio was a self-less, resilient man of high values. He easily recognized peoples’ struggles, stepped in to support, and ensured that the same ethic was passed on to others. Like his carpentry, he knew personal relationships could last forever if built with care and received frequent maintenance. He helped build communities in his faith with Iriga Bicol Association and Everfaithful Prayer Group, built brotherhood in Daly City with The Box Club, and gathered countless groups throughout his life. Finally, Rogelio was funny and charming. With little words, he could win over and make a friend out of anyone. He somehow knew how to make people laugh and feel welcomed. His sense of humor and personality were infectious making him unforgettable to anyone he came across. To this day, his friends and family continue to reap what he has sowed ensuring his legacy lasts forever.

Rogelio now joins his oldest son Michael who are both watching over their family who will always love and miss them including his wife, Evelyn, sons, Rogelio Jr. and Nathaniel, Michael’s wife, Susana, and granddaughter, Angel Rose.