Rodrigo Macalintal Reyes

Rodrigo Reyes was born to Perfecta Macalintal and Esteban Reyes on September 29, 1939 in Mabini, Batangas, Philippines. The youngest of four children, Rudy spent his early years in Curva, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro where his family moved and where he led a somewhat hardscrabble life earning a living as a bus conductor. The job was not all bad as it brought him the acquaintance of a young elementary school teacher who commuted daily on her way to work and back. Twice a day he would hand Miss Remedios Aranas a lovingly punched bus ticket with only a shy smile at first which progressed to lively conversations towards the end of the school year. He would tell her jokes that were so funny she would laugh uncontrollably. During the summer vacation, Rudy wooed Meding with his kundiman songs and guitar playing skills. These talents would many years later enable him to open for Diomedes Maturan when the later held a concert at the Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. Rudy's plaintive "harana" (serenade) was too much for Meding to resist. Before long, the two were dating secretly as Meding's parents did not approve of Rudy or anybody courting their daughter before she had a chance to prove herself in her chosen career. Rudy would later prove himself capable of also pursuing a career.

On June 12, 1963, at the Good Shepherd Catholic church in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, Rudy and Meding said their "I Do's". During the early years of their marriage, Rudy went back to school, earned a degree in education and became a grade school teacher. He taught 5th grade for many years at Victoria Central School and was the school's Band Director. The couple had four children who are all married -Venjie to Joy Evora, Ruby to Chris Harris, Karen to Matt Koffler, and Edgar to Gretchen Viloria. He was a doting grandfather to eleven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. All four children were born before Meding left for America on October 29, 1981. A couple of years later, Rudy joined her. All of the children followed, except one who later settled in the UK, and they all lived happily in America until Meding's death in 1999.

Life had to go on. Rudy fell in love and married Tess Delgado, a lovely and caring friend from Naujan and also an active member of the Oriental Mindoro Association of Southern California (OMASC) where they first met. Tess provided the companionship and love Rudy needed after losing Meding. Rudy and Tess both loved to dance and they would often take center stage during the many dinner dances they attended. Rudy's passion for music was put to good use at OMASC's annual caroling to raise funds for its many projects. He was also an active member of the Senior Citizen club in his community. When his health started to fail, Tess patiently and lovingly took care of him and stayed with him until the end.
Rudy was happiest when he was with his loved ones: singing, dancing, telling jokes and sharing stories. He loved performing in front of an audience and he always had a song ready at a moment's notice. He will be missed not only by his family but also by the many friends he had made over the years. His was a life well-lived and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the family and friends he left behind.