Fausta Evangelista Cruz

Fausta “Ustang” Cruz, at the age of ninety-eight peacefully passed away at home in San Francisco on December 16, 2023.

Ustang was born on July 19, 1925 in San Guillermo, Morong, Rizal in the Philippines to her parents Petra and Dalmacio and was was the second of five children. After completing the 4th Grade she had to stop going to school to help her parents together with her older sister Angke raise their younger siblings Justo, Pilang, and Odi. Needless to say, she was quite inconsolable as she wanted to continue her education and become a nurse but eventually came around to knowing that her wants had to take a backseat in order to fulfill the duties her parents requested of her. Ustang took on more responsibilities as she continued to help her mother raise her younger siblings and contribute to the family’s income after Angke married at a young age and moved to Prinza, Teresa. In addition to helping her father in the rice fields, she would walk to the neighboring town of Morong to sell fresh eggs, and as she got older would travel to Manila to sell material which buyers would eventually make into clothing, and would also sell ladies nylon stockings and slips.

Ustang married her beloved Apolonio “Onio” Cruz on November 16, 1955. Her cousin Ciniang was the matchmaker of this lucky couple because after a year of letter writing to each other Onio who was from Morong and also a United States citizen returned to the Philippines to marry Ustang. They moved to San Francisco shortly after their marriage and temporarily resided in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood with their three children Carol, Ruthie, and Teddy. In 1964 the family moved to their present home in the Mission Terrace neighborhood. Ustang together with Onio wanted the best for their children and worked very hard to provide for them. 

Because of Ustang’s love for the family she left behind in the Philippines, though she was only a housewife at the time she continued supporting her family by sending money and clothing so that her younger siblings Justo, Pilang, and Odi could continue their college education. Eventually, she petitioned her parents and her siblings so that they could have the opportunity for a better life in the United States. Her younger sister Pilang was the first to arrive. Since her father Dalmacio had passed away, Ustang’s mother Petra and her brother Justo were the next to come, followed by her youngest brother Odi, and lastly her older sister Angke. She also helped other relatives immigrate to the United States through her generosity.  

As a parishioner of Corpus Christi Church Ustang attended mass for fifty-five years until the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic she faithfully attended one of the morning masses on Sundays in addition to attending the daily 8am Mass during the weekdays. As she got on in her later years and her legs weren’t as strong, she began using a walker to help her up the slightly hilly incline to the church.

After Ustang’s children became of school age, she too decided to go to school and like Pilang attended the Marinello School of Beauty in Downtown. However, due to being allergic to the chemicals in the products being used there she had to stop. Shortly thereafter Ustang began her employment life as a kitchen assistant in the infirmary section of The Heritage in the Marina and helped Angke get her first job there. After leaving The Heritage she began working at The Jewish Home for the Aged as an aide in the Laundry Department and once again helped Angke get a job there, too. Since it was Ustang’s nature to help others she would encourage town mates from San Guillermo and from Morong to apply for jobs at these nursing homes and would recommend them to the hiring supervisor. While working full-time she also worked part-time cleaning apartments in the Marina

District and in the Cathedral Hill District. At times she would keep company with a U.S. Senator’s wife while her husband was away attending political functions. And, as Angke established her nursing homes, Ustang would help out her sister with various tasks. She also learned from Pilang that she could make extra money by selling jewelry.

Ustang loved music and dancing with Onio. When she attended functions which included music she would be the first one on the dance floor encouraging others to start dancing. As a little girl Ustang had a sense of fashion early on and began stringing flowers together to make a necklace, bracelet, and ring for herself. She became one of the best-dressed fashionistas of her time and loved wearing beautiful clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, and completing her outfit with a nice shawl or coat and a nice handbag. She also made sure her nails were manicured and polished with color. Ustang also loved playing slot machines in Reno casinos and also nearby casinos such as Cache Creek and River Rock. She also loved watching her favorite television shows such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Dancing with the Stars, and the Giants baseball games.

Ustang was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2007, had surgery, underwent radiation treatments and had been cancer-free since then.

Ustang’s pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great grana-children. She loved being with her family be it with only one, a few, or the entire clan and lived a full life enjoying the various stages of each one’s growth.

Fausta is survived by her loving children Carol and Rizalito Nuñez, Ruth and Gerardo Segarra, Sr., and Theodore; cherished by her five grandchildren Judith Nuñez (Jason Salonga), Jennifer Nuñez-Manglona (Keith), Janette Nuñez, Gerardo Segarra, Jr. (Germaine), and Gerome Segarra (Jeannette); and much loved by her fifteen great grandchildren Jaylin and Jessie Salonga, Jerome Nuñez and Kaya and Karlo Manglona, Kamica, Rizalito, and Melencio Pabalate, Austin Phothilat and Pierson, London, and Mason Segarra, and Jaxon, Everly, and Luna Segarra. She is also survived by her loving sister Teofila, sisters-in-law Flor and Baby, and numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family.

Ustang has gone Home and joins her beloved husband Onio, her parents Petra and Dalmacio, and her siblings Angke, Justo, and Odi in the tranquility of God, our Father.”