This memorial was created in memory of our loved one, Pastor Augustus Rod Llorente, 66 years old, born on April 17, 1944, in Tayug, Pangasinan, Philippines. The son of Ramon (Monching) Llorente and Dr. Veneranda (Floring) Pastor Llorente, Rod died of a heart attack in the Bay Area on the morning of February 8, 2011, twelve hours upon hearing of his wife Rica's death. They were married for 39 years. They left behind their son Andrew, daughter Joanna, and grandchildren Marius, Anastasia, and Marina.
Rod had a colorful youth in the Philippines. He was the bass guitarist of a Beatles-inspired band called the Firedons, which produced many records, and was comprised of his beloved brothers Ceasar (Chay), Julius, and David. Compelled to work at a young age to help support his family, Rod first worked as a cameraman for Channel 5, a television station that was eventually shut down by President Ferdinand Marcos under Martial Law. At Channel 5 he met the future Philippine senator and national hero Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino Jr. Ninoy served as the Principal Sponsor for Rod's wedding to Soledad Rica Reyes, whom he also met at Channel 5. Rod and Rica raised their children in Pillar Village, Paranaque.
Rod became politically active after the assassination of Ninoy and participated in the 1986 EDSA Revolution. In 1991, Rod immigrated to the United States with his family. In the Bay Area, he became a pastor and a businessman, founding a successful and long-running business in Sacramento, Plaza Soledad Independent Living Room and Board, which he named after his wife.
Rod's family and friends remember him for his humor, entrepreneurial zeal, and musical interests. A staunch Republican who loved watching Fox News, Rod had a "distinctly Filipino" sense of humor. (Joanna: "Dad, papatayin ko yung ilaw pag labas ko." Rod: "Isara mo lang -- wag mong pataying; makikilibing pa tayo.") He took great pride in his children. But his enduring passion was to express the message of Christ through music.
Rod had a colorful youth in the Philippines. He was the bass guitarist of a Beatles-inspired band called the Firedons, which produced many records, and was comprised of his beloved brothers Ceasar (Chay), Julius, and David. Compelled to work at a young age to help support his family, Rod first worked as a cameraman for Channel 5, a television station that was eventually shut down by President Ferdinand Marcos under Martial Law. At Channel 5 he met the future Philippine senator and national hero Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino Jr. Ninoy served as the Principal Sponsor for Rod's wedding to Soledad Rica Reyes, whom he also met at Channel 5. Rod and Rica raised their children in Pillar Village, Paranaque.
Rod became politically active after the assassination of Ninoy and participated in the 1986 EDSA Revolution. In 1991, Rod immigrated to the United States with his family. In the Bay Area, he became a pastor and a businessman, founding a successful and long-running business in Sacramento, Plaza Soledad Independent Living Room and Board, which he named after his wife.
Rod's family and friends remember him for his humor, entrepreneurial zeal, and musical interests. A staunch Republican who loved watching Fox News, Rod had a "distinctly Filipino" sense of humor. (Joanna: "Dad, papatayin ko yung ilaw pag labas ko." Rod: "Isara mo lang -- wag mong pataying; makikilibing pa tayo.") He took great pride in his children. But his enduring passion was to express the message of Christ through music.
Tributes are short messages commemorating Augustus, or an expression of support to his closest family and friends. Leave your first tribute here, and others will follow.
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Gallery
A year before he would be detained for seven years under martial law, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino served as Rod's wedding sponsor. Young Giovanni Alviar was ring bearer.
The extended Llorente family, with the Ricarforts and Pillar Village neighbors.
With Rica
The Firedons
The house where Rod raised his family, 11 Palosapis Street, Pillar Village, Paranaque, Manila
Visiting the grave of his father Ramon (Lolo Monching) Llorente
With daughter Joanna
At Joanna's graduation from Rutgers
With his brother David Llorente and his family (Lynn, Daniel, Abigail, and Joshua) in Anaheim, California
