Former Bacolod first lady Josefa “Patching” Puentevella was laid to rest at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Bacolod City Monday afternoon, September 18, on what would have been her 76th birthday.
At the end of her funeral mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral and at the memorial park those present sang “Happy Birthday”.
Her family also blew out candles on a birthday cake.
She is the wife of former Bacolod mayor and representative Monico Puentevella who described her an “angel” and a “saint”.
The concelebrated funeral mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral was led by Bacolod Bishop Particio Buzon.
Bacolod Councilor Jesus Claudio Puentevella thanked all those who stood by them in their hour of grief.
Josefa Puentevella was decribed as a devout Catholic, philanthropist, humanitarian, civic leader, teacher, counselor, book writer, columnist, and business entrepreneur.
She was born to Hermelinda R. Dizon and Raymundo L. Dizon Sr. on September 18, 1947 and was adopted and raised by Jesusa R. Alunan and Claudio T. Alunan.
She was awarded the Ora et Labora and Outstanding Scholastican Achievers Awards by St. Scholastica’s Academy on numerous occasions from 1966 to 1999 and Bacolod City’s Banwahanon Award in 2000.*