Birth date: May 6, 1934 Death date: Dec 19, 2025
NORMA ALVAREZ PADUA Age 91, of Pearl City, passed away December 19, 2025 at St. Francis Hospice. Born May 6, 1934 in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines, Norma is now reunited with her life partner Esteban (“Steve”) C. Padua, who p Read Obituary
Norma sledding in Europe
A Sister’s Remembrance
by Amelia Alvarez
Norma Alvarez was born on May 6, 1934 in San Antonio, Zambales to our mother Restituta Fogata Lacuesta and father Jose Asonejo Alvarez, both public school teachers.
My sister spent her childhood with our parents, two sisters (myself and Joven) and the eldest our brother Adorado. Our family home was located along Calle Clemencia now Don Vicente Lacuesta Street, named after our forefather Vicente who was the very first Mayor of the town.
As a young girl Norma was chubby but pretty, fair skinned and active, making her well loved by everyone. Playtime was spent with cousins living in the neighborhood. Life at that time was simple but we were content. Our mother would make dolls out of old clothes and a play kitchen set of stove and pots made of clay. On nights when there was a full moon we’d go out to the street to play traditional Filipino games like Taguan (Hide and Seek) with neighbors.
In 1938 our father was assigned as assistant to the School Superintendent at the Zambales Division Office. We moved to Iba, Zambales and lived there for some time. On December 7, 1941 Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbor and invaded the Philippines and established a camp in Iba, Zambales. We evacuated to our hometown of San Antonio. Norma was about 7 years old then.
Growing up, we were raised by our parents to help in household chores. Each one given a task to do. Adorado our eldest swept the yard, Norma helped in the kitchen cooking meals. I, Amelia did housecleaning while Joven our youngest washed the dishes.
As a family we went to the farm on Saturdays and non-school days. We would pick fruits from trees planted by our father. For our lunch we cooked and ate vegetables harvested from the farm. Sometimes, we spend a day at the beach or go to Pundakit where our parents owned ocean front property.
Starting in her teens, Norma became a member of a religious organization in the Catholic Church called "Children of Mary" dedicated to devotion of our Blessed Virgin Mary. She began her Sundays by attending holy mass/Eucharist and helping in other church work.
Schooling was disrupted during the war which took about 4 years until on July 4, 1945 General Douglas Macarthur announced the liberation of the Philippines. With the war over, life became better and schools were re-opened.
Norma went to the T. R. Yangco Elementary School for her primary education (Grades 1-4) and so with her elementary education (Grade 5-6). She graduated from elementary as an honor pupil. She was always one of the TOP TEN BEST students in her class.
She attended Yangco High School, the very first private institution in town named after Teodoro Roa Yangco, a famous philanthropist from San Antonio.
From her Freshmen to Junior years Norma was a consistent honor student. She was active in extracurricular activities like sports. She played volleyball well. She was also into folk dancing, drama, and chorus . She was one of the Cadet Corp in the school’s Military Training Program.
It was in the middle of her Senior year of that she met Esteban C. Padua, a 24 year old U.S. Navy enlisted man who was spending time with his family at Barangay Santiago while on leave. Both were invited to a dance where "LOVE" began.
I think it was love at first sight for Esteban and first love for Norma who was only 17 years old. Esteban was very persistent in his courtship. He visited Norma every day and would serenade her every evening in the company of musician friends. He did not stop pursuing her for some time until Norma said "Yes".
Soon after Esteban talked to our parents asking their permission to marry Norma. At first they said no, Norma was too young and still in school. But Esteban was undaunted and tried talking to them again. Seeing that both were very much in love our parents finally gave their blessings for them to marry with the condition that Norma continue to live with our family after the wedding until she finished high school.
On April 1952, Norma graduated from high school as Mrs. Norma Alvarez Padua and was honored for finishing third in her class.
Several months later a stork came bringing a bundle of joy - Elmer the first born of Norma and Esteban. After a few years oassed Steve was born, then Adam, Joseph, and Anthony.
Esteban was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay, Philippines. The base is located in Olongapo, Zambales at the southernmost town of the Province. Steve and Norma bought a lot and in Barangay San Gregorio, and built a house walking distance from our family home.
In the life of a sailor, most families keep moving from one place to another to join their husbands at their duty station. Norma and children first had to travel out of the country to Long Beach, California when Adam was only a year old. They then moved to Point Loma in San Diego then Waukegan Illinois before settling in Hawaii and calling it HOME.
On May 1983, our mother got seriously ill and was diagnosed with stage three cancer of the colon. She underwent surgery but her condition worsened by September. Steve and Norma came in October and left a month later. During their visit we were able to go to Baguio and Alaminos, Pangasinan where the famous "Hundred Island" is. The sad thing was our mother died on the day they arrived back in Hawaii.
I remember my Manang Norma as a loving, caring, kind, and thoughtful person. She helped the daughter of our housekeeper go to school by paying her tuition and buying school supplies. Our brother Adorado's application for al U.S. Visa was granted with the help of our sister Norma.
Eventually Adorado and wife Carmelita went to live and work in Hawaii. Our Sister Joven obtained a tourist visa thru Norma's help and had the chance to travel to Hawaii and spent a few months with the family. These are only some of the many good deeds done thru her kindness.
Since our mother's death in November 15, 1983, Norma and family were not able to come home for several years until our father died on June 8, 1998. Manang Norma together with Steve, our brother Adorado and his wife Carmelita traveled from Hawaii to attend the funeral. They stayed another week giving us more time to spend together. We spent the remaining days going to different tourist attraction places like Villa Escudero in Quezon Province, Christmas Village in San Fernando, Pampanga and other places in the City of Manila. We also dropped by the U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay which was a familiar place for them to see -however changed. This was the last time Manang Norma was home to San Antonio.
With the advanced technology, communication became less of a problem. We were able to talk by phone, text messages and messenger.
Her last message was on November 18, 2025 at 9:04 am which said
"Mele, I am sorry I missed seeing Richard on Friday. I was at the Doctor for an appointment. Having problem with blood pressure (low blood pressure) and I'm now in a wheel chair. Just getting old. But I'm okay. Thank you for thinking of me, Always.
Love you."
Thankfully, we were able to see and speak with one another once more during the last days of her life. Memories of her will always remain in our hearts.
Mid 1970’s.
1. Tony, Lola, Auntie Mely and Mom in the PI.
2,3 Sending Adam off to college.
4. Late 70’s Holiday dinner
“ Norma and I have many things in common: we both come from Zambales, Philippines, we both married sailors, we both have no daughters. Our similarities end there. Norma is quiet, humble, cool-headed, and has great culinary skills. These are attributes that I lack which I admire and remember her for. Rest in peace, Norma. If it is the Lord’s will, we will see each other again.
Aloha,
Mānang Carmelita”
from Carmelita Quevedo
Norma (top row center) with Auring Basilio (left) and her other lady friends of the Zambalenian Club.
1. Alvarez family house in San Antonio, Zambales located along Calle Clemencia now Don Vicente Lacuesta Street.
2. Norma and Esteban wedding day
3. Lola and Lolo Alvarez
4. The Padua family during the 1970’s
5. Mom with soccer fans in Munich Germany during 2008 World Cup Finals
6. Mom near Prague Castle in 2008
7. Mom at first post-Covid-19 Hilo Orchid Show in 2023.
Birthday celebrations and trips to the Hilo Orchid Shoe were filled with tastes, sights, smells and in Volcsno the sound of coqui frogs.
Ah the great meals mom blessed us with! Why not have two entrees or three of four? And don’t forget the butter!
