Paul Alfred Yllana

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a contribution to Paul's son, Isaac's education fund.
One of Paul's greatest concerns was for Isaac's college education. Thank you for helping us fulfill this important wish.
Please send checks payable to "Isaac Yllana" and note in the memo "Custodial Account".

Address the envelope as follows:

Isaac Yllana
c/o Freddie Yllana
P.O. Box 3022
Santa Clara, Ca 95055



In the presence of loved ones, Paul's final words were, "I love you." On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, Paul was welcomed into the arms of God on a beautiful spring morning during Holy Week with his loved ones by his side. Paul was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
His family and close friends affectionately know Paul as "Paulie," his students know him as, "Mr. Yllana," and many in his professional circle simply call him, "Yllana."
Paul was born in the Philippines. He had a strong personality, even at a young age. As a child, his family nicknamed him "Buboy." His sister Freeda was born when he was almost four years old. Paul moved to the United States when he was five years old, and moved to San Jose, California. Paul was an obedient, responsible, and well-loved son, who cared for his Mom and Dad deeply his whole life. He was a caring, guiding, protective, and fun-loving brother to his little sister, whom he continued to remain close with as an adult. He was always at heart, a loving spirit who loved to have fun. As a boy, he loved Transformers, Star Wars, WWF Wrestling, airplanes, and video games.
Paul graduated from Leland High School in 1994. He played tennis and football; his position in football was offensive guard, among others. His football career culminated in a climactic win, crowning his team as the winner of the Central Coast Section ("CCS") championship game, along with an athletic dream team that included the late great Pat Tillman and one of his lifelong best friends, Rudy Perez. After high school, Paul attended San Jose State University. At SJSU, Paul earned his Bachelor's Degree in Humanities in 1999, his teaching credential, and his Master's Degree in Education in 2006.
Paul began his career as an educator at his alma mater, Leland High School, first as a student teacher, and then as an English Teacher in 2000. He also began his career as an Administrator at Leland in 2004, when he became a Vice Principal. He moved on to Gunderson High School in 2007, where he remained the rest of his career. He was well known on both campuses for his big smile, pranks, and ability to encourage students by identifying their positive traits, strengths, and potential. He maintained close relationships with many of his students long after graduation. Countless youth he guided have gone on to make positive daily impacts on the lives of others.
Paul loved football, and Paul especially loved his 49ers. Paul was everyone's "go to guy" for advice and assistance with electronics. He loved technology and Apple products. He loved cars and driving them. He loved digital cameras and photography. He loved food, and he loved taking photographs of food. He loved the humanities as well – a lover of fine art and literature. He loved music of all kinds: Pop, Country, The Beatles, Guns N Roses, Metallica, to Musicals, Opera, and Glee. He loved to travel with family and friends. He loved road trips to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe. He travelled to many places during his life in the United States, the Philippines, Canada, Europe, and Mexico.
After graduating from high school, Paul began training at West Coast Fong Martial Arts. He earned the rank of Second Degree Black Belt, and the title of Bu Sah Bu Nim Paul (meaning Assistant Head Instructor). The lessons he learned and the friendships he developed through the martial arts lasted throughout his lifetime. His brothers in the martial arts, including Anatole Roussere and Dorian "D.C." Lugo, were his best friends throughout the years and later became members of his family. Anatole became a Godfather to Isaac, and Paul became a Godfather to Anatole's daughter Victoria. D.C. married Paul's sister Freeda and officially became his brother. After many years of training in the martial arts, Paul raced in triathlons and became an avid cycler.
Paul was a dependable friend to so many. He was comforting to talk to and the type of friend who provided you with either insightful guidance or his sense of humor (or most likely, both) to get you through anything. He had a caring spirit, loved jokes and silliness, and was truly like no other.
In 2007, he met a wonderful woman named Joy Miguel, and they were a match made in heaven. In Joy, he had an energetic, vivacious, fun, strong, and even-tempered partner, who, true to her name, brought out the best in him and gave him the happiest years of his life. Surrounded by family and friends from all over the world, they were married on December 19, 2009. Together, they created a perfect pair, and together, they created a family, and brought us Paul's greatest gift to us left here on Earth, Isaac.
On August 16, 2011, Isaac Raymond Yllana was born. Paul's greatest joy was being a husband to Joy and father to Isaac, who he nicknamed "Zac." Paul was a loving, doting, and firm father. Just like Paul called his own father, Isaac calls Paul "Dada."
Paul was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer in December 2011 – the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body. He immediately began grueling rounds of chemotherapy. He fought each day with the strength, positive attitude and radiant smile he is so well known for. What should be remembered about Paul's battle is how he remained a courageous warrior the entire time. His unwavering faith in love, family, and God will inspire many for generations. He prayed, he spent time with loved ones, he celebrated birthdays, most importantly, his son Isaac's first birthday, and he built PCs. He travelled to Lego Land, Disneyland, and Chicago with his beautiful family.
He also taught his students what truly mattered in life. Last June, he spoke at graduation to the Class of 2012 at Gunderson. He told the students to be good people in their schools, professions and communities – to make a difference in the lives of others just by sharing their spirit.
He was a fighter and a warrior in every way. To his family and everyone he met, he continued to be a hero who defied odds, amazing all with his smile, brawn, tenacity, and unbreakable bond with his family.
Paul Alfred Dominic Yllana was born in Manila, Philippines on January 16, 1976. Paul is survived by his beautiful wife Joy Miguel Yllana, his nineteen-month old son Isaac, his Father, Freddie Yllana, his mother Nanette Imperial Wood, and his sister, Freeda Yllana Lugo. Paul valued love and family above all else and in turn is loved and remembered by many who received his guidance, experienced his sense of humor, smile, and laugh, and felt his strength.