His name is Mr. Tony Pascua. Tony obtained a mechanical engineering degree at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines and then migrated to the United States in 1976. He began his career in the Rocketdyne division with the Boeing Company for 28 years as Quality and Nondestructive Testing Engineer for the space shuttle main engines.
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by Tess A. Carlos His name is Mr. Tony Pascua. Tony obtained a mechanical engineering degree at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines and then migrated to the United States in 1976. He began his career in the Rocketdyne division with the Boeing Company for 28 years as Quality and Nondestructive Testing Engineer for the space shuttle main engines. Tony was also involved as a member of the Rocketdyne and Nasa team on Risk Assessment of Fracture Critical Parts of Space Shuttle Main Engines prior to the first flight of the space shuttle. After a long and prosperous career with Boeing, Tony retired in 2004. Together with his wife, Marietta, they opened the first oriental store in Santa Clarita — the Sari Sari, which means “different kinds.” The oriental market opened in 1989 with the help of their seven children. It was then sold after the children left to pursue their studies. And what makes Tony even more remarkable? He is a fulltime volunteer for ANCORP USA (Answering the Cry of the Poor), a non-profit organization that serves to generate awareness and mobilize resources for Gawad Kalinga (GK), which means “to give care.” This program aims to address poverty in the Philippines and other third world countries. GK has seven programs. Instrumental in establishing a GK team in Santa Clarita led to the donation of two villages: Santa Clarita Village 1 in Las Pinas, Metro Manila and Santa Clarita Village 2 in Pagantucan, Bukidnon. Thus putting Santa Clarita on the map in the Philippines. This mission as Gawad Kalinga advocates, “to live simply so that others may simply live,” builds Tony’s momentum to work even harder than ever so that they may build as many Santa Clarita Villages as possible in the Philippines as well as other third world countries. Tony also attributes his inspiration to serve his community from his Catholic faith. Tony is an inspiration to all and his commitment to making the world a better place is admirable. If you are interested in learning more you can visit www.gawadkalinga.org or www.gkoncepts.com. |
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Photos Courtesy Tony Pascua |
Author’s Note:
It was 1973 when I made the move from Canoga Park to Santa Clarita. I remember Tips Restaurant, Thriftymart, Newhall Community Hospital, Happy Valley Restaurant, Alpha Beta, Safeway, Security Pacific Bank, Bunny Love Carrots and Tapia Brothers, to name a few establishments. These wonderful businesses paired with the onion, corn and carrot fields as well as the beautiful oak, eucalyptus and pine trees are what made up this promising new valley. It didn’t take me long to meet the first Filipino family also known as the Pinoy’s. Then came the Chiodetti’s, Domingo’s, Campbell’s, Crawford’s, Hoffman’s, Viray’s, Correa’s as well as the Carranto’s and we all met together socially at my home in the Valencia Hills Tract. Years have passed since then and we now have thousands of Filipino’s who chose to live in one of the safest cities in the country. A very remarkable person that I would like to honor in this month’s feature is a gentleman who has lived in Santa Clarita since 1984, and his name has only gained more recognition since then. He is a man that remains committed to public service and community organizing. |
