Family members, Public Health Director Art San Agustin and other officials, along with Governor Leon Guerrero and Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares all gathered Monday to celebrate the upcoming 100th birthday of Victoria Robeniol Rebugio at her residence in Dededo.
Rebugio was born in the Philippines in 1922. She married Pedro Rebugio in 1942, and together they raised 4 children – Leticia R. Brotonel, Lourdes R. Fontanilla, Pacita R. Desamito and Ernest R. Rebugio.
Rebugio worked as a seamstress and loved to sew dresses for her daughters when they were children. She and her husband were married for 42 years until he passed away in 1984.
Rebugio came to Guam in 1968, and she will celebrate her hundred birthday on December 22. Public Health held a Centenarian Celebration on June 23, but Rebugio was off-island visiting her old house in the Philippines.
During her time on Guam, Rebugio enjoyed gardening and tending to her many flowers and vegetables.
“Victoria, we are here to celebrate your soon to be 100 years. We’re here to party!,” Governor Leon Guerrero said.
Surrounded by presents and adorned with a pink flower lei, Rebugio beamed as the Governor and Public Health officials sang happy birthday to her.
Rebugio is also a cancer survivor. “She had lymphoma in 2003 and underwent chemo. She was even comatose for a month,” daughter Lourdes Rebugio said.
Governor Leon Guerrero thanked the Rebugio family for allowing officials to gather and honor their mother.
“I just want to say thank you for allowing us to come to your house, especially to honor her for the many, many years that she’s given to raise beautiful children, very smart children – two of them nurses!,” Governor Leon Guerrero said.
“It really makes me proud that she wants to spend the rest of her life here in Guam, because that just says that she’s part of our island, part of our culture, and part of our family,” Governor Leon Guerrero said.
