Rosario Bantay Ravago

December 5th, 1921 - December 7th, 2005

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

On January 15th, 2006, Ingleside Presbyterian Church celebrated the life of longtime church member Rosario Bantay Ravago. The sanctuary was filled with family and friends who came to honor this woman of faith, who affected the lives of so many.

Rosario B. Ravago ("Chayong") passed away peacefully on December 7, 2005 in Bataan, Philippines, at age 84, due to natural causes. The second daughter of four siblings of the late Andres and Fausta Bantay, she was survived by her husband (Francisco), their nine children (Nelson, Edwin, Rolan, Elvie, Gener, Rudy, Ruth, Edgar, and Vivian), grandchildren (Dennis, Minerva, Jennifer, Jason, Erwin, Sharlyn, Ericson, Jenny, Michael, Francis, Genevie, Geraldine, Gary, Romer, Marian, Maricel, Adrian, Danielle, David Ryan, Ace, Kazelyn, Nicole, and Liz), son-in-laws (Filomeno, Adrian, Jun), daughters-in-law (Remy, Liling, Noemi, Julie, Miring, and Tess) and her sister (Dely).

Rosario lived a very simple life, but she had a lot of friends. She was very helpful, generous, kind, and compassionate. Although she came from a poor family and was unable to finish grade school, she helped her parents to enable her brother and two sisters receive formal education.

Rosario was 19 years old when she was married to Francisco Ravago on January 19th, 1939. They were blessed with 13 children, but only nine are alive at the present. She raised her children so well that all have completed their college education. She is greatly respected and well-loved by her children for taking good care of them.

She and her husband Francisco came to the United States in 1975 when her son Rolando, who joined the U.S. Navy sponsored them to come to the U.S. They first lived in Connecticut, didn't seem to like the weather, and later moved to Daly City, California. She was staying with her daughter Vivian and son-in-law Jun. And she took good care of her grandchildren at all times. She was also a great cook. When parties were held, she would cook a variety of food that all visitors could enjoy.

In 1997, Rosario and Francisco decided to go back to their homeland, the Philippines, to enjoy the remaining days of a good life. And though they were in the Philippines, their children in the U.S. would come and visit them when the opportunity arose.

In December 2005, the children planned to hold a big party celebration for Francisco's 90th birthday and Rosario's 84th birthday at the Villa Amanda Resort in Bataan, Philippines. Everything was in place for the special occasion. And all the children, relatives and friends were coming to the event. But days before this long-awaited occasion, Rosario was hospitalized because of a medical problem. She died on Wednesday, December 7, 2005.

In sadness, God comforts us with His promise in 2 Thessalonians 4 which tells us that we do not need to 'sorrow as others have no hope'. We can look forward to the time when Jesus returns and we will be reunited with our believing loved ones. That truth is a big comfort when someone is gone