The Pillar

My dad was born in Dagupan City, the eldest son of Lolita and Felix Lopez. He has

three younger brothers, Mario, Camilo and Angel and three younger sisters, Fe, Marlyn

and Mila. My grandmother’s family is one of the first families who settled in Mangin

Dagupan City. My great great grandfather, Thomas Bustillo was the first barangay

captain. While my grandfather, Felix Lopez and his family are immigrants in Malued (one

of the barangays in Dagupan City). They originally came from Cavite but because of the

war they decided to move and settle on a more peaceful city (E. Lopez, Pers Comm.).

The Light

My mom was born in the same city, daughter of Natividad and Juanito Morante.

She has twelve younger siblings and one older brother. Three of them are from the mistress

of my grandfather in which two of them died because of leukemia. Both of my grandfather

and grandmother are from Lasip Chico (one of the barangays in Dagupan City). My great

great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather and grandmother are former barangay

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captains. In the past generation, her family is the most influential in their barangay (R.

Lopez, Pers. Comm.).