Alexes De Asis

Whenever Alexes smiled, he would light up the room. His grandchildren had fun with him because he was very silly. He would make them laugh at the shocking things he would say and do. He was their Funny Grandpa! His laughter was infectious, so you could never stay upset with him for long. If he had an epiphany, some crazy idea, or a plan for you, his eyes would beam with delight.

Although Alexes might have been known for his fiery temper, he was simply protecting his kind and vulnerable heart. Even if his feelings were hurt or his heart was broken, he would be quick to forgive. He was brutally honest, even when his opinion was particularly unsolicited and possibly upsetting.

Mostly, Alexes was incredibly generous, worriedly consoling, and passionately protective over those he loved and those in despair. If he thought you were in need, he would be quick to give you shelter in his tiny, humble home, and he eagerly would offer his last dollar, the shirt off his back, and his last meal to you.

Alexes died after sheltering an elderly relative from desperate circumstances even if his own life was placed at risk. He remained protective of his relative and never told his children about his vulnerable situation. Being elderly, Alexes and his wife should never have been asked to place themselves at risk. In fact, during the cold January nights, he offered his only heater to his relative because she was ill.

Alexes passed away during his sleep, his face was peaceful, much like a sleeping baby. While he had been in pain off and on from his underlying, but controlled conditions, he mercifully began his journey to Heaven in peace and without pain.

Alexes was born on Saint Valentine’s Day in 1945 to his devoted parents, the late Jose Pajantoy de Asis and Esperanza Legaspi Pluma.

Alexes is survived by his loving and doting wife Anita;

Their four adoring children and children’s spouses: Alita & Gary, Mary-Grace & Tom, Alexes, Jr. & Joan, and Meryl & Luis; and

Their twelve cherished grandchildren: Isabella, Alexis, Jenna, Joseph, Gary, Jr., Ammie, David, Ryan, Isla, Ace, Liam, and Axel.

If asked, he would be the first to tell you that his greatest triumph were his cherished grandchildren, each and every one of them. More than anything in the world, he was most proud of being their Grandpa!

Alexes and Anita were married 50 precious years as they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at home on January 23rd due to the pandemic. Alexes passed away only 4 days later. As a true romantic and guided by St. Valentines, he held on to life for as long as he could because Anita was the love of his life and he wanted her to know how much he treasured her.

Alexes graduated from College at University of the East in Manila, Philippines earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering.

His career opened up opportunities all over the world for him as he worked for major manufacturing companies in different countries including Philippines:
ABS / CBN and Philippine Blooming Mills; Zambia on the Continent of Africa: Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd.; and United States of America: Container Corporation of America; Seven Up Bottling Co.; and other major manufacturers, for approximately 40 years.

In his younger years, Alexes was a basketball enthusiast as he enjoyed playing on his High School Basketball Team and became an avid fan of professional basketball in the Philippines and the USA. He was a loyal Lakers fan. In his later years, he became a skilled poker player as he joined and ranked in Live Poker Tournaments. During the last several months of his life, he enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching movies on Netflix with his wife; he especially relished true stories, action and adventure movies, and historically significant movies.

As a teen, Alexes proudly represented his Boys Scouts Troop of his hometown province of Catubig, Samar as he was exclusively selected to travel to their renowned 1959 Jamboree in Laguna, Philippines. This key moment in Alexes’ life ignited his passion for travel, eventually leading him to explore or visit 4 out of the 7 continents.

He worked at and/or visited the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. He sojourned to Zambia in Africa in search of a better livelihood for the sake of his young and struggling family. He intended to return to Philippines after a couple of years of working abroad. He toured Europe, specifically London, England and Rome, Italy, with his eldest child before immigrating to the USA. The difficult decisions involving both relocations to Africa and the USA haunted him for the rest of his life as it caused his young family to be separated for health reasons and an excruciatingly lengthy immigration process. The separation was traumatic for the entire family, especially his children, and caused him his deepest regret.

In his later years, his passion for travel meant more to him than simply exploring adventure and securing a livelihood in foreign lands. Between 2013 and 2017, Alexes traveled approximately 8 times to Hawaii, which reminded him of his birthplace in the Philippines. He discovered Paradise, a Heaven on Earth, on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii. There he played in the sand and ocean with some of his grandchildren as they were surrounded by the tropical flavors, flowers, and birds. His passion for travel also brought him back to his much-loved siblings in the Philippines. He was incredibly proud of their accomplishments and savored every moment of his last luxurious visit to his homeland, the Philippines, in 2018. Alexes had many more travel plans before the pandemic changed the world. His last trip on Earth was his most recent travel to Texas during Christmas of 2019 to visit some of his grandchildren.

In between travels, he delighted in Christmas celebrations and kept his Nativity Set next to him all year long, keeping the twinkling light on for his adored Baby Jesus. You might even hear him singing Little Drummer Boy or White Christmas throughout the year.

He especially cherished celebrating his Birthdays with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He celebrated his 75th Birthday in 2020 surrounded by his youngest grandbabies. His favorite part was blowing out his candles and sharing his birthday cake with everyone. He was prevented from sharing his birthday with his children and grandchildren during the pandemic. He could not bear to be without his precious children and grandchildren on his 76th Birthday. Therefore, about two weeks before his birthday, the Lord brought him Home to celebrate with his late parents and siblings. His last journey is his travel to Heaven, beyond the oceans and continents, to join his mother, father, brother, and sisters, and especially our Heavenly Father.