Gil Celeste Padama

GIL CELESTE PADAMA

(1936 – 2021)

Gil Celeste Padama was born on April 8, 1936 in the town of Anda Pangasinan, Philippines. He was the third son among the six children of Hermenegildo & Hermenia Padama. Gil spent his early years in Anda Pangasinan, and because of his persistence, pursued to further his education, and decided to depart to Manila. Believing that it was only through education that he could change his life for the better, he worked as a construction worker during the construction of Sto. Domingo Church, in order to make ends meet. He studied in the afternoon at FEATI University while working as a construction helper. Gil is a very humble, hard working and was never the one to complain. With all his hard work of supporting himself to school, he graduated and passed the licensing board exam to become a Mechanical Engineer.



Gil met Maxima Suing, who is a teacher in Asbury High School in Anda Pangansinan and married in 1961. They left Anda Pangasinan in 1965 and move to Alcantara Cebu, City to work as a surveyor. Gil & Maxima has 4 children, Gil Nelson, Maria Gima, Rosario Jeanneth and Mateo Joseph. Gil wanted to plan for his children’s future so he decided to go back to school again, while working during the daytime once again, and completed a second degree in Marine Engineering, graduating in 1971. Soon after, in 1972 he took the Philippine Marine Engineering licensing board exam. The Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that Gil passed the licensing exam and able to emerge as the topnotcher. He always tell his children that poverty does not stop him from achieving his goals in life. It takes a lot of patience, persistent, trust in God, and most of all maintaining humility at all times.



In 1974, Atlas Mining Inc. offered Gil a position as an Assistant Manager position that prompted him and his family to move to Toledo City, Cebu. The family stayed in Toledo City for 5 years. Soon after, Gil and his family moved to Matain Subic Zambales in 1979, taking a General Manager position for Benguet Corporation Inc. at their Matain branch. Gil continue to have a generous spirit and gave selflessly to his family, friends and strangers without expecting something in return. He did not think twice to put his hand in his pocket and share his last with someone who needs help.


In 1996, Gil retired from his job and with the help of his brothers and sisters, both Gil and Maxima migrated to Los Angeles CA in 2003. Both of them started a new dimension of their life together with full of love and humility. Despite knowing all his chronic health issues, Gil had never complained to his family about his health. He never wanted to burden others with his problems. He didn’t believe in self-pity. His illness did not define him and therefore did not stop him from living a full life; instead, he accepted it and went about his everyday life.