Obituary of Eladio Sanoria Rosales

I'm here this morning to speak about my father. You might know him as Ed or Eddie, but to me, he was Tatay, the old man. Eladio Rosales was born on November 4, 1937 in Bato, Leyte, Philippines. Tatay lost his father when he was small to a Japanese sniper. In a Filipino or Asian family, the first-born son becomes the head of the household with the death of the father. My father was a handful even when he was young. He started smoking at an early age and was a bit of a street urchin, running around with his barcada back in Bato and in Manila. He was a good student. He went to university and studied Chemical Engineering. He was a few credits shy of graduating when a fraternity friend asked him to try radio acting. Instead of Engineering my dad found his passion in acting. In the Philippines he acted on radio shows, TV and even did a few parts in movies. He knew the famous Filipinos and moved in high social circles. Drinking, gambling, ladies—this was a part of my dad's life that I knew little about. He soon became a media fixture. An actor, a writer, a producer. Eventually he became an executive at Philprom, one of the bigger advertising agencies in the Philippines. In those times dad found his love. My mother, Elnora Rosales. They got married quickly and children soon followed. Earl, Edgar, Elaine and me (Erica). Four kids in six years. We emigrated to Canada in 1973. Manpower Canada helped my dad find a job in Dawson Creek, working for the local TV station, CJDC. Most of you know him as the Community Cable Programmer. It was through this job that he shone as an outstanding member of the community, in 2003 he was awarded Citizen of the Year. My father had a creative streak. He joined up with the Dionysus Theatre Company in Dawson Creek in the 70's. He spent countless nights reciting his lines, trying to perfect his delivery without a Filipino accent. My father was in the D.C. Symphonette & Choir's production of Aida as the Ethopian King. He played the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof. In 1984 he tried his luck in Vancouver, earning his ACTRA union membership. He returned to Vancouver where he spent his last years. Dad had a habit of taking everyone in. Whether it was a new Filipino in town or a passing stranger he had met, he offered them a bed to sleep on and a warm meal. Eulogy presented by son; Erwin Rosales Eladio passed away on February 16, 2010, in the Burnaby Hospital, Burnaby, BC at the age of 72 years. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Notre Dame Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22, 2010 at 11 am; Fr. Michael Anyasoro officiated, interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, B.C.