Magdalena Villanueva Batulan

Magdalena Villanueva Batulan was born on July 25, 1926 in the Philippines. She was the second of five children. She was 15 years old when the Japanese invaded the Philippines in 1941. She was one of the people who was forced by the Japanese to build the airport of their city. She witnessed the atrocities of war.

In 1945, the Philippines was liberated by the Americans and Magdalena went back to school. She started teaching even before she finished school. She attained a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and taught first grade for over 35 years. She was a strict and caring teacher at the same time. She used to bring food to school for her students since some of them had no breakfast and the school system did not provide school lunches at that time. She also used to give “hand me down” clothes to her poor pupils and host a Christmas party for her students which they appreciated so much. As a teacher, she did not tolerate any misconduct or any misbehavior and was a disciplinarian, yet she motivated and inspired a lot of children who kept in touch with her

Magdalena and her husband, Resti, met in a college campus where they were attending summer classes to further their education. They had two children, Josephine who married Leo Dario and Ferdinand who is married to Honey Mabanto. She has three grandchildren- Joseph, Lyonel and Hannah.

Magdalena and Resti retired from their teaching jobs and came to the US in October 1987 before their first grandchild was born. They were devoted grandparents and helped raise their grandchildren. They were very supportive of all the activities their grandchildren were involved in whether in church, school or community service. They both were avid readers and Grandma Magdalena loved to read aloud to their grandchildren even as adults.

They both came to church with Leo and Josephine and were baptized here in University Park Church of Christ in February, 1988. They were involved in Children’s ministry especially in VBS. Grandma used to cook in the neighborhood Bible Study. Her pansit Filipino noodles was always a hit. She was also considered a Grandma to a lot of kids here in the church. Even in her old age and even when she was a “shut in”, she was still inspiring people by memorizing Bible verses. Her favorite part of the day for the past two years was right before bedtime when she worshipped the Lord with her daughter every night.

Magdalena was a faithful Child of God, a loving wife, and a doting mother and grandmother. She had touched so many lives. She will be greatly missed.

Magdalena was preceded in death by her beloved husband Resti, her parents Roque and Patricia, and her brothers Mardokio, Aaron and Solomon.

She’s survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Josephine and Leo, her son and daughter-in-law, Ferdinand and Honey, her grandchildren, Joseph, Lyonel and Hannah, and her brother and sister-in-law, Exequias and Susie Villanueva.