Rosalinda Perez, public servant, civic leader; 85

Rosalinda Sambajon-Cabug Perez passed away on April 6 in Masbate City. She was 85.

A devout Christian, she is survived by six children and their spouses Arlina and Fidel Ubac Jr.; Renato and Cristita Candidato; Salvador and Era Perez; Ronaldo and Gemma Perez; Emmanuel and Anabelle Perez; Marites and Michael Pearse; 28 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She died at daybreak just as her alma mater, the Masbate National Comprehensive High School (formerly Masbate High School), was marking the centennial of its founding. She was a notable member of Class of 1954.

Besides raising a large family, the Perez matriarch was a true blue grassroots public servant, wearing various hats throughout her long, blessed life. She served as a barangay councilor of Barangay Madancalan, Baleno town, where she was born on March 1, 1932.

She was officer of the daycare children’s association of Barangay Espinosa, Masbate City, and the Rural Improvement Club. She also held various posts in the Senior Citizens chapter of Masbate province, to name a few of her selfless civic involvement. Later in life, and despite her old age, she even managed to join street dancing festivals during the annual town fiesta.

Her remains lie at the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Barangay Tugbo, Masbate City. Necrological services will be held on Monday at 9 a.m. and interment to follow at 3 p.m.