Wilfredo Bawagan Desquitado Obituary (1932 - 2023)

Wilfredo Bawagan Desquitado, 91 years old, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2023 in the loving arms of Our Lord, & with his children, in-laws, & grandchildren by his side physically and online. Papa or Mano Wil was born on July 29, 1932 to Pedro Desquitado & Maria Bawagan in Do-ong Bantayan Cebu. He is the eldest of seven siblings. He finished his primary education at Doong Elementary School and his secondary education at Bantayan Southern College. He studied Agriculture at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna. As an agriculturist he was hired by Philippine Tobacco in 1955 and then Tabacalera in 1962-63. He and his growing family later relocated to Tarlac to work for Hacienda Luisita for 2-3 years as farm manager. Papa Wil is a self-made man. He was born poor in a remote Cebu island but never complained of the hardships and would recount stories with self-deprecating humour and good nature. He would go out to sea very early and fish before he goes to school. His parents couldn’t afford to rent a toga for graduation that he contented himself watching the rite atop a tree. He is a dutiful son and brother. He supported himself as a working student juggling between studies and earning to help with his sibling’s education at the same time. He is hardworking, practical and a considerate manager. He was well respected by his subordinates. In fact they called him “Kumander.” As a family man he is a good provider & would try all kinds of enterprise and ventures. He has tried Poultry raising, egg and “balut” farming in the ancestral property of his in-laws. He harnessed his island abilities by making “daing” and selling those in the marketplace with Mama. They ran a Movie house business near the current Antipolo City Hall. They started a “Botika”business. Also tried his hand on public transport business. He became a contractor with the Makati Development Corporation; and went into reforestation projects in Rizal under the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). A jack of all trades indeed. Street-smart and very resourceful. He was a gutsy intuitive risk taker and was able to purchase properties on meagre resources. Papa Wil also loved reading – current events through local newspapers, Time magazines, and Reader’s Digest. He liked professional basketball league in the Philippines. He also loved his friends and his San Miguel Beer . Papa Wil also loved his relatives and always looked forward to the yearly reunion at Tito Ben & Tita Sol’s place in Paranaque. He is the life of the party, never ran out of stories & jokes to tell. He was a natural in infusing a wholesome sense of humour to a gathering. In the US, he attended Suncoast University playing slot machines and was always lucky to win. He has money but he wasn’t rich financially but managed to help others having an innate benevolent heart. He was able to provide not only for his immediate family but also generously support his siblings, relatives and friends. He developed Parkinson’s in 2017 & this presented mainly with a not so typical lower jaw tremors. Without knowing the seriousness of these tremors Mama would mimic Papa’s jaw movement and it always ended up with a big laugh from both of them and from everyone. In the last six months of his life, when he could hardly walk without taking a fall, he was still thinking of how he could help others. He may have lost his battle to Parkinson’s disease but has won the hearts and love of so many he has left behind. He will be greatly missed but we know he is happy now in heaven with Our Lord Our Saviour. A good man, a generous person with a great sense of humour. We take comfort in that…that he is remembered well by many. He is survived by his children Don, Mimi, Maiza, Judd; his in-laws, Monique, Camil, Elaine; his grandchildren, Kevin & Lance (sons of Don & Monique); Cheska, Polo, Bella (Children of Camil & Maiza). He will be in our hearts & minds forever & will miss Him and Mama every day. The Family humbly requests Prayers and Mass offerings. There will be a memorial/celebration of his life on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 2-5pm at La Paloma Chapel at 2551 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas NV 89117, and at the Haven of Angels Chapel in Antipolo City Philippines at a date TBA.