Good afternoon. I am Boni’s older daughter, Arlyn.

This is such a special day to have everyone that I admire, and care about and especially those who have known and loved dad, to gather in one room together. My family and I thank you all for being here.

Bonifacio Villaruz was born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur on November 30, 1939, to Graciano and Maria, the youngest of five children (Carmen, Manolo, Remy and Norma). He was named after the revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio, who shared the same birthday. Dad grew up in Baguio, which has one of the coldest climates in the Philippines because of its high elevation. Dad had so many fond stories about growing up there, attending Baguio City High and playing basketball for St. Louis University. A few of his classmates are here today.

Mom met dad when he moved from Baguio to Manila, after college. Dad moved in with his cousins who lived next door to mom. Mom’s sisters Tita Leni and Tita Sonya (who dad considers as his own sisters) recounted how they knew that dad liked mom because he was always visiting their home. I asked mom, “How did you know he liked you?” She said she knew he liked her when she mentioned casually to a group of friends that she wanted to get a fresh Christmas tree and he showed up the next morning with a fresh pine tree. They were married in May 1970, and I was born later that year.

Mom + Dad immigrated to Hawaii in July of 1972, leaving me behind for a couple of months while they got situated. President Marcos declared martial law in September of that same year. My parents would describe that time as a very low point for them. Living in a new country, apart from their family and friends, Lola Elang, mom’s mother, had passed away earlier that year and they didn’t expect to be separated from me for that long. It helped that Tita Sonya was a student at Church College, on Oahu. I traveled with Lolo Guni (mom’s dad) from Manila to Honolulu, in March 1973, the same week my sister, Jennifer, was born.

One of dad’s early jobs was working as a server and bartender at Don the Beachcomber in Waikiki. Several years later he would also start a business, called Bonnie’s Baskets, importing wicker baskets and shell planters from the Philippines. While in the 7th and 8th grades, I remember waking up early on weekends, so that I could help my parents work at the Aloha Stadium where they sold their crafts. I became familiar with business terms such as tubo, kinita and puhunan. If the kita was good, we would go to the movie theater after closing the store. We went to the movies quite often. During that same time, dad was also a resident manager of a 20-story apartment building at Liliha Square. Jen and I enjoyed helping out because we would get a small allowance, helping setup the store on weekends, taking down the flags and cleaning the lint traps in the laundry room at the apartment building. In a couple of years, my parents were able to buy their first home in Waipio.

I have kept in touch with my childhood friend who lived in Liliha Square and when I told her dad had passed, she recalled the sound of his voice and bundle of keys which were always attached to his side.

After we moved to California in 1984, dad worked for Cal Fed and Glendale Federal Bank, explored his creative side in flower arranging, before returning to the hospitality industry, eventually retiring with the Hilton Hotels.

Looking back at my father’s life, especially the couple of years where he worked a few jobs simultaneously, I admire his work ethic.

Dad was a very loving + giving presence in my life and in my family’s life. Jen and I are very blessed he was our Father.

Rest now DAD. We love you and miss you always.