ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in loving memory of our father, Josefino "Penoy" Ligaya, 67. He was born on January 25, 1949 in Manila, Philippines, and passed away in his home on August 11, 2016. He is survived by his oldest son, Joseph and wife Christine; daughter Caroline and husband Adam; youngest son Jeffrey; grandson Evan; his sister Violeta; and brothers Manny and Eddie. 

Burial Information
If you'd like to visit where our dad rests, he is in Fairfax Memorial Park (9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax VA 22032) in the Garden of Serenity, Colombarium Wall 1, Section 1 - right in the middle of the wall as you come up the path. 


SERVICE INFORMATION
Funeral Mass
Friday, 16 September 2016 at 11:00 am
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
3901 Woodburn Road, Annandale VA 22003

Burial at Fairfax Memorial Park to follow
Mass
9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax VA 22032
Meet at the Memorial Park Office by 1215pm to process to site


Celebration of Life lunch reception to follow Burial Service
St. Ambrose Parish Hall 
3901 Woodburn Road, Annandale VA 22003, next to Church
Upon arrival from Memorial park, or around 1:00 to 4:00pm


January 27, 2022
January 27, 2022
Penoy, we, your highschool classmates, remembered you fondly on your birthday. Be our guide in our journey through the remainder of this life till we all get reunited in the afterlife. Rest in eternal peace with God and illuminated by His perpetual light.
August 14, 2021
August 14, 2021
On behalf of our high school classmates, I visit your memorial website to leave a note of remembrance. Happy 5th Heavenly Birthday, Penoy! God be with you always! Guide us in our journey towards eternal joy, peace and love. Till we meet again.
January 25, 2021
January 25, 2021
Penoy, your high school classmates remember you fondly today, your birthday on earth. Please guide us in our journey to the heavenly place where you are now, so that when we are called to meet our Creator, we will all be reunited once again! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
August 17, 2020
August 17, 2020
We remember you, Penoy, on your 4th Anniversary of leaving us behind to go to the best place there is - where eternal peace, joy and love reign, where you sing praises to God without fear of being out of tune, where you laugh as much as you want without disturbing anyone, where there is no limit to what you can see and hear and feel and smell and taste, where you can get as busy as you want without getting tired, where you can get careless and carefree without embarrassment.

Visit us in our sleep and tell us in our dream if that is what it is like and how it feels like to be in heaven. Most of all, help us to dedicate all the activities of our remaining lives to the greater glory of God.

We miss you but we are happy for you where you are now.
- your Classmates in MSHS Class 1964.
August 10, 2017
August 10, 2017
You will always be a part of MSHS1964 here and there. We will remember you for your quick and intelligent reply. You can be funny but ever willing and helpful. I am saddened by your passing on but one day we will see you again. Till then just keep smiling down on us. We love you.
August 10, 2017
August 10, 2017
We, your high school classmates, remember you fondly, Penoy, on the first anniversary of our life here without you! Pray for us and guide us until the time we shall get reunited eternally.
September 13, 2016
September 13, 2016
Dear Friends,

My thoughts and prayers are with Joe's family and friends at this very sad time. I'm sorry I am unable to attend the services this Friday, along with some of our PAHO/WHO fellow Toastmasters (TM).

My daughter, her husband, their two year old son and newborn daughter require my support for a bit longer, so I'm unable to return to the DC area this week. TM gave me great experience wearing many hats: every hat from cook to laundress, nanny to maidservice, not to mention a proud grandmother's undivided, endless love and affection. Joe and I shared thoughts on the joys of grandparenthood just last year.

Joe Ligua was an incredible leader and role model. Our TM club certainly will bear a major loss without him. Because of his dedication, wisdom, experience and exemplary speeches, he inspired countless members and guests over the many years we were fortunate to have him as an active member and officer, at every level.

After stepping down from my two years as club president, I then accepted the role of area governor. It was a no brainer that Joe could successfully lead our club to new heights. Even though he was not a PAHO employee, he had been dedicated and committed to attending and participating in all regular meetings in every role on the agenda and fulfilling each club officer's role. Despite all of his work, family and other TM commitments with different clubs, he willingly allowed me to twist his arm to accept the responsibility of club president. 

Joe offered all our members a fresh perspective and had a clear vision for individual and club success. We all benefitted greatly from his insight. When the club initiated new meetings with TM manuals in Spanish, Joe was one of the first to become involved and he showed a keen interest in this endeavor.

In typical PAHO tradition, I refuse to say goodbye. Instead, I prefer to say, "Hasta la vista, Joe, or until I see you again, Joe." 

Respectfully,
Linda
September 3, 2016
September 3, 2016
From Joe's ESOL co-teacher at St. Matthews.
My sincere condolences to the Ligaya family. Teacher Joe was wonderful with the students. We would exchange weekly emails about student progress and ideas for the class. He was always excited to see what students were learning and what new subjects we could present. A number of times when I couldn't teach my class on Thursday, Joe would graciously volunteer to help out. I so appreciated his enthusiasm and steadfastness.

Everyone in ESOL at St. Matthews, and especially the Level 2 students, will miss Teacher Joe. I will miss him most of all. He made a difference.
September 3, 2016
September 3, 2016
When my Tatay (Ben) was stricken with cancer, before he passed away in 1999, I remember reading a very touching letter that Tito Penoy wrote for him. Tito Penoy's message was "thank you for looking after my Ate Violy" (my Nanay).

This is the Josefino Ligaya that I know and will always remember. Tito Penoy - the thoughtful, intelligent, and well-spoken Ligaya who reached out and connected with friends and relatives at every opportunity he got.

Throughout the years, Tito Penoy visited family & friends in Manila, Laguna, Bangkok & Sydney. There was even a time when he rendezvoused with my Nanay in Europe just to give her company during her holiday.

While this message of gratitude didn't arrive on time, unlike the one Tito Penoy wrote to my Tatay in 1999, I wish to say:

Tito Penoy, you are forever in our hearts. You taught us a valuable lesson on how to be a true human being. Our prayers are always with you as you rest in eternal peace in the arms of our Lord.
September 3, 2016
September 3, 2016
Dear Caroline and Jeffrey,
My deepest condolence. I miss your dad so much. I know he is already at peace with the Lord.

-Love, Lola Tela
September 1, 2016
September 1, 2016
Tito Penoy! Our families may not have been related by blood, but we are all a part of a big beautiful family that we created. I miss you and will cherish all the memories we made.

Sleep in peace, Tito.
August 29, 2016
August 29, 2016
i was and still am overcome with profound sadness when i heard of penoy's passing, an old friend, a very good friend. another reminder that birthday and christmas cards are not enough; there's got to be more... like a phone call every now and then even just to say hello. busy should never be an excuse. i say that a lot but i am also first to admit guilt and i am so sorry...

albert, caroline and jeffrey... my heart grieves with you.

to my dear penoy... i was counting on you to find me if and when i got lost. you worried whenever you didn't receive your birthday card on time and always made sure i was okay. and now you're gone. I will miss sending those cards; i will miss you. rest in peace...
August 24, 2016
August 24, 2016
I always enjoyed socializing with Jose at our end-of-semester fiestas. Such a joyful person. He will be missed by all of his co-teachers at St. James, as well by his many students.
August 22, 2016
August 22, 2016
The Howard Family sent a note sharing about how kind and wonderful a neighbor my dad was. They lived just around the corner for as long as we can remember. They have offered mass at St. Ambrose Parish for the repose of his soul.
August 22, 2016
August 22, 2016
From the Cavalieri Family of Richboro, PA : Lee, Aurora,Vincent & Jay:
We were shocked to hear of dear Penoy's sudden demise and cannot even begin to imagine that he is now gone from this earth! We saw him last on Dec. 11, 2015, at the Memorial Service of our dear sister, Erlinda Caluag Dancer in MD and he looked just fine! We will be offering a mass for his eternal rest at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Church in Richboro PA. The world has lost one brilliant man, very kind and humble! Rest in peace, dear Penoy, where there is no more pain and suffering. Vaya con Dios!!! Love from us all!!!
August 22, 2016
August 22, 2016
Penoy was my bosom friend, more than a brother to me. Geographical distance separating us did not diminish, but rather strengthened, our friendship. I have been awaiting his homecoming after a long while since his last visit to the Philippines. Our last email contact was when I greeted him on his birthday. Insofar as the two of us were concerned, we knew either one of us had no alarming health issues. So we did not get a chance for a last goodbye. His sudden passing without a hint came as a terrible shock to me. My faith in the afterlife gives me the consolation that God will rest Penoy in His eternal peace and let His perpetual light shine upon him. And we shall meet again. Until then I will surely miss Penoy. Meanwhile, I have lots of fond memories of him with which to get by.
August 21, 2016
August 21, 2016
My sincerest sympathy and condolences to the family of Penoy Ligaya. I have very fond memories of Penoy when we were at UPenn. I remember his gentle demeanor, kindness, and very keen intellect. He was very helpful to us, generous with his time and advice to us, the Wharton newbies. He was like an older brother to us. Thank you, Penoy. You will be missed.
August 20, 2016
August 20, 2016
To the family of "Penoy Ligaya: Words cannot express what you all are feeling right now. Please accept our deepest sympathies and we pray that God give you strength, Love, and healing.
August 20, 2016
August 20, 2016
It is with deep sadness to learn of your passing dear Penoy. The memories our families shared from Philadelphia, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and Washington DC will always be with us. May God give you his Grace, Love, and Peace.
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to the family of the late Josefino Ligaya. We share your pain and sorrow. Praying for the eternal repose of his soul, and may you, his family, find the courage and strength to move on.
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
Penoy, you may be gone, but the memories you have created shall never fade. We will always cherish the moments our families shared together. Sleep well, our dear friend. May you find eternal peace in the arms of the Lord.
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
Sometimes you will never know the true value of a person until he becomes a memory.........such is the case with Penoy Ligaya.........he was one of our kuyas when we studied at the Wharton School.......he was very friendly and helpful, always with a smile on his face.......what impressed me about him was his very sharp mind ..........it was a mind that cut to the chase immediately ..........I will miss you Penoy ..........know that you will always be in my prayers .........may our Lord embrace you and bring you to that place where there is no more death and suffering.
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
In our sadness, allow me to borrow a poem,
"If a loved one has departed and left an empty space, Seek the inner stillness, set a slower space.
Take time to remember, allow yourself to cry, Acknowledge your emotions, let sadness pass on by.
Then center in the oneness, remember God is near, Death is but a change in form, our dear Penoy is still near.
Treat yourself with kindness, allow yourself to feel; God will do the mending, and time will help you heal." - - - from Manny, Chuchay, Anna, EZ & Charlotte and Seinna
August 18, 2016
August 18, 2016
A novena mass for the eternal repose of Josefino has been offered at ST. ANDREWS CHURCH Kalayaan Makati City. We deeply grieve at your demise. With so much pain that goes to our very core, we bid you goodbye Penoy and say hello to Mom and Dad in heaven. You will be missed forever........ Ate Violy and children

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Recent Tributes
January 27, 2022
January 27, 2022
Penoy, we, your highschool classmates, remembered you fondly on your birthday. Be our guide in our journey through the remainder of this life till we all get reunited in the afterlife. Rest in eternal peace with God and illuminated by His perpetual light.
August 14, 2021
August 14, 2021
On behalf of our high school classmates, I visit your memorial website to leave a note of remembrance. Happy 5th Heavenly Birthday, Penoy! God be with you always! Guide us in our journey towards eternal joy, peace and love. Till we meet again.
January 25, 2021
January 25, 2021
Penoy, your high school classmates remember you fondly today, your birthday on earth. Please guide us in our journey to the heavenly place where you are now, so that when we are called to meet our Creator, we will all be reunited once again! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
Recent stories

Remembering Penoy on His Birthday

January 25, 2018

Highschool classmates of Penoy remember him in their prayers on this day, the 69th anniversary of his birth.  May his soul rest in eternal peace and God's perpetual light shine upon him.

PENOY'S Favorite Songs

September 30, 2016

In the Summer of 1968, just after our graduation from college, Penoy and I accepted a teaching stint in the College of Arts and Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University, which was to last for a year for Penoy and three years for me.

Every day, after our classes, I was Penoy’s constant companion while he drove around the UP campus, Cubao commercial center and eventually home, in his Kuya Manny’s green Volkswagen Beetle car.  On weekends, we were joined by another teacher , from the Ateneo High School department, in various wholesome activities such as browsing bookstores, dining in affordable restaurants, campus touring, watching and cheering for the Ateneo team  in UAAP basketball games and hanging around with our girl friends (note the very significant space between the two words).

Music playing from the car radio kept us entertained as we drove from place to place. Our common favorite songs then were Bobby Goldsboro’s hits, “Little Green Apples” and “Honey”.  When I hear these songs now, my mind wanders back to those idyllic times and places and I remember all our dear friends who were part of our young-adult lives.

And the Volkswagen Beetle, which to this day, is my dream car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeTXZ5zPt7k

Ramon A. Panotes' remembrance of his Visit to Penoy

September 6, 2016

In 1981 I was travelling to the U.S. for the first time. After doing my stint in Wilmington, Delaware, I took the train to Union Station in Washington D.C. Penoy was there to meet me; we hugged and danced around. I was the first of our class that he'd seen since he left the Phils. in 1969. He hadn't been a balikbayan yet. He packed me off in his BMW, took me to his home in Falls Church, VA. There I met Lena, and Adelbert, who was just three years old or so.

After lunch, we drove around D.C., which impressed me as one huge park, parks here and parks there. We visited the Capitol, drove around the White House. He took me to Arlington National Cemetery, I said a prayer before the grave of JFK, with the perpetual flame. In the afternoon, we strolled around the banks of the Potomac. If you're not careful, you could actually roll over to the water. Jetliners were flying all over across the river most of the time. From the banks of the Potomac, you could actually see the Watergate Hotel, quite a famous or infamous landmark at the time.
 
He also took me shopping at Neiman Marcus (as if there's anything there I could afford!). After dinner at home, we went out again, ending up in an interesting place near Georgetown U. The place was full, and we were lucky to get a small round table. There was no stage, but a girl was always trying to dance on top of the bar, for reasons which soon became obvious. We stayed for an hour or so, just to see if the obvious would really become obvious.

The next day, Penoy showed me a small tree in his backyard, actually bearing oranges. And there was even a squirrel scampering about. After breakfast, it was out again, this time to the Smithsonian Institution. It was so huge, you couldn't possibly see all of it in a day. We  visited a few of the exhibits (dinosaurs, strange-looking fish, the first flying dinosaurs, etc.) But we spent the most time at the Air and Space Museum. Truly fascinating. the Wright Brothers first flying contraption, John Glenn's space capsule, various supersonic jet planes.

After that two-day holiday in D.C. it was time to go back to work. Penoy took me back to the train station to catch a train to New York. Leave-taking wasn't overly dramatic. It was just "thanks for everything" and "when are you coming back home to the Phils. For a visit? Soon!"

I don't know if Penoy liked Elvis, but this is song I dedicate to Penoy's memory:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5y6ONbf9pI

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