Amador Coligado Borlaza
Amador Coligado Borlaza, “Junior” or “Jun” to his family and friends, unexpectedly but peacefully joined our Creator on the birthday of his wife, Librada “Lily” Borlaza, on April 6, 2025. He was 88 yrs old. Born on June 5, 1936 in Manila, Philippines to Amador Borlaza, Sr. and Eugenia Coligado, he was the second oldest of five children. However, after his oldest brother Arturo passed away at an early age, Junior took on the responsibility of being the eldest, and his younger siblings looked up to him as the quintessential “Kuya” or big brother.
Jun earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of the East as well as a degree in Bachelor of Laws. He worked for Trans-Manila, Inc. as a CPA, often staying in La Union where the company had their tobacco plantations. In 1961, he married Librada Villaraza from Majayjay, Laguna. They were blessed with four children and the family lived in Sampaloc, Manila and then eventually moved to Taytay, Rizal, as one of the pioneers in their subdivision. He built lifelong friendships with the other residents there.
Jun enjoyed playing pelota during his younger days and mahjong on the weekends with his brothers-in-law. A quiet man, Jun would prefer to be in the confines of his room reading his vast collection of Reader’s Digest, or working on crossword puzzles. His favorite hobby, though, was to clean the family’s shoes on the weekend so that by the start of the school and work week, all of the shoes were shiny as new.
In 1991, he moved to Old Bridge, New Jersey and was remarried to Adoracion Hombrebueno. He first worked as the bookkeeper for a travel agency and in 1998, he began to work in the billing department of Ingram, Yuzek, Gainen, Carroll & Bertolotti, a law firm in Manhattan.
Already in his 60s by that time, he would take the bus everyday from New Jersey to the Port Authority Building in New York, and walk briskly (as all New Yorkers do) several blocks to hear Mass at St Patrick’s or St Agnes’ before heading to work. He was on his way to work on 9/11, but was fortunately spared from any harm.
His days in the US proved what a true survivor he was. Shortly after 9/11, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Through early detection and treatment, and with the help and care of his brother Logie who came from California, he was able to beat the disease. Shortly after, he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). But with God’s grace, he survived and recovered. In 2003, he retired and moved back to his hometown of Liliw, Laguna, where he spent quiet days reading in his library and hopping on Messenger calls to connect with his family overseas while enjoying the cool breeze from the trees.
He visited his family in Seattle every few years as a new grandchild was born or baptized, but moved back to the US permanently in July 2023 to be nearer to his children as his health started to decline. We were blessed to have been able to care for our Daddy (Papa Jun to his grandchildren) for the remainder of his years.
He is survived by his daughters Adelle (Jojo Fernando), Arlene (Richard Chen) and Anna (Giovanni Costales); son Amel (Ruby Garcia); grandchildren Alyssa (Lian Chavda), Paolo, AJ, Aliana, Jillianne, Cody (Nathan Love), Phoenix (PJ Kambhiranond), Joaquin, Gia, Nina, Pio and Baste; great grandchildren Romeo, Rio, Paris and Skyler; brother Mael, sister Ofel and loving nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank everyone who has extended care and kindness to our Papa Jun, and for all the love and support during this difficult time.
The post first appeared on Barton Family Funeral Service.