Eulogio Pagdilao, Sr.

Eulogio Pagdilao, Sr. was born to Nicolas and Pia Pagdilao in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on September 13, 1922. He attended Pinili Elementary and Batac Rural High School.

In December 1941, Eulogio met Sophia Layus at the religious conference grounds. They would later marry in Pinili on December 10, 1942.

Eulogio served his country, community, and family in many ways. During World War II, he helped the Philippine military as a courier. To support his family early on, Eulogio built a kalesa and became a cochero to drive people. In Cagayan, he worked at various lumberyards as a timekeeper and scaler. In addition to his work, he fished, planted vegetables, logged firewood, and hunted wild pigs.

In 1953, Eulogio and Sophia returned to Pinili, where they cared for poultry to sell duck eggs. They devoted much of their time and energy to raising their children, teaching their eventual nine boys and one girl to be followers of Christ and committed to family.

Eulogio started his career as Sanitary Inspector with the Rural Health Unit in June 1955. In addition, he and Sophia continued their duck egg business, sold tobacco, served as adoption advocates, and worked insurance. Eulogio also did some informal family planning advisement. In 1984, he retired from his role as Sanitary Inspector.

Seeking greener pastures, Eulogio and Sophia immigrated to the United States in June 1985, through the petition of their eldest son Eulogio Pagdilao, Jr. They settled down in Carson, California, and traveled between the Philippines and the US in order to spend precious time with their ever-growing family. In the US, Eulogio spent much of his time growing his garden, planting ampalaya, upu, kamote, and more. Eulogio and Sophia were also active members of the Annak ti Batac Association and devout members of First Filipino Christian Church (LA) and First Christian Church (Torrance). Eulogio also loved to play music on the saxophone and enjoyed fishing on the pier.

Over his later years, Eulogio had many medical challenges. Despite the physical hardships and the loss of his beloved Sophia in 2013, Eulogio remained faithful and resilient through it all. On July 9, 2019, Eulogio was admitted to Little Company of Mary Medical Center. After being surrounded by the love of his family and friends near and far, Eulogio passed away peacefully on July 23, 2019, at Palos Verdes Health Care Center in Lomita. Even to the end, Eulogio was sharp in mind and strong in spirit, always sharing his love of God and family.