Taps: Dr. Angel Cunanan
Posted on Jun 13, 2022 in Taps
Dr. Angel Cunanan was a humble doctor, with so much history behind him. The beloved brother of Hawaii Filipino Healthcare president, and former PMAH President (2003) Dr. Aurora Mariani. He was married to his wife of over 50 years, Eulalia (Loling), until her passing in September 2021.
Originally from San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, it had always been his dream to be a doctor and come to America. As a young boy, he had pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, New York and Hawaii on the wall in his room.
After completing medical school at Manila Central University, he was offered a medical externship in San Francisco. He arrived via cruise ship from the Philippines, and when he visited the Golden Gate Bridge, he kissed it, feeling like this was his dream come true. He stayed with his grandfather in Daly City while completing his externship at UC San Francisco, where the medical director recommended him for internship at St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. He went on to start his residency at Tulane University in Louisiana, and subsequently completed his training with the University of Hawaii Residency Programs.
After residency, he moved to Topeka Kansas to work with the United States Public Health Corps, working as a doctor on American Indian reservation for several years. He moved back to Hawaii to start Family Medical Clinic with sister Dr. Aurora Mariani. He stayed to service the community for over 30 years, ignoring Governor Ariyoshi’s mandate to evacuate during hurricane Iniki. He said he wouldn’t leave because ‘This is when his community needs him the most.’ Always drawn to service, he became a Medical Officer in the Hawaii Air National Guard. He is remembered as a simple and no-frill man, ‘rarely ever spending money on himself, preferring rather to save it for the needs of his kids, his grandkids, and the people of Waianae.’
He is survived by his three children, daughter Josephine married to Jesusito of Hawaii. Oldest son Kilmer married to Myra of California, and youngest son Allan of California. He is also survived by his sister Aurora Mariani and Esther Belizon of Hawaii. Along with his six grandchildren, Stacey, Christopher, Mark, Michael, Emily, and Allyson. There are also many beloved family members residing across the US and Philippines.
Services will be held at Diamond Head Mortuary, 535 18th Ave, Honolulu, HI on June 16, 2022 from 3:00-6:00pm.
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