20 October 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Mexico, represented by Administrative Officer Bernardo Bagalay attended the memorial service for the renowned Filipino painter, the late Romeo V. Tabuena held at his residence in San Miguel de Allende in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico on October 17. Filipino painter Manuel D. Baldemor,  who is in Mexico for two one-man exhibits, joined Mr. Bagalay to pay his last respects. Mr. Tabuena is survived by his four children. 

Mr. Romeo Tabuena joined his creator on October 15 due to natural causes. His children, Cinderella Tabuena and Romeo Tabuena, Jr. together with his spouse Armida Tabuena were at his bedside when he breathed his last. Mr. Tabuena was 94 years old.

The memorial service was a celebration of the life and works as well as the good natured humanity of Mr. Tabuena.  In their messages, his children intimated their love and longing for their father. Romeo, Jr. and Cinderella also informed those present that the late Mr. Tabuena is grateful for the time he has shared with his children during his last months. They also expressed their warmest appreciation to long time Filipino residents of San Miguel de Allende, Mr. Joe Lim and his spouse Ms. Tonette Lim for their tireless and unconditional  support and assistance they have extended, not only to their father but also to them.

On October 16, a day after the demise of Mr. Tabuena, the City Government of San Miguel de Allende, through its Municipal President Lic. Ricardo Villareal García, posthumously presented to Mr. Tabuena a Certificate of Recognition for his valuable contribution to culture and art in San Miguel de Allende. The certificate was received by Ms. Cinderella Tabuena and Mr. Romeo Tabuena, Jr. In attendance were officials from the municipal government as well as representatives of the foundations and organizations that Mr. Tabuena has financially supported through the years.

Mr. Tabuena studied architecture at the Mapua Institute of Technology and Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. One of his major works is a Filipiniana painting displayed at the official residence in Washington D.C. of the Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America. Among his numerous awards and citations, he was a recipient of Philippine presidential Merit Award in 2009.

Mr. Tabuena’s children will endeavor to bring the cremated remains of Mr. Tabuena to his hometown in Iloilo City. END