Alice Balbuena: Overseas Filipina Hero

By Loida Nicolas Lewis

On Tuesday, February 13, Alice Balbuena, my housekeeper died suddenly of cardiac arrest due to severe pneumonia after a two-day stay at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. From  a part time housekeeper in 2001, she became full time in 2021.

Everyone who has known Alice was devastated by her abrupt death. Her BFF and my executive chef Delia Juarez cried inconsolably when she saw her friend connected to all the medical equipment at the hospital and was near death.

I myself was incredulous because four days before, Alice and Delia served lunch in my apartment for Los Angeles television personality Janelle So Perkins. “Over a Glass or Two” anchor persons Jessy Daing and JCas with producer JV Valino, my media director Lora Nicolas Olaes were also in attendance. Alice as usual was assistant chef to Delia and baked her tasty brownies and chocolate chip cookies for Jannelle’s kids. As she would do without instruction in her unobtrusive way.

Four days later, she has gone to God’s kingdom.

In her humble way, she did not die on February 10, my daughter Leslie’s birthday nor on February 11, wedding anniversary of my beloved’s parents Carolyn and Jean Fugett. Not on February 12, my daughter Christina’s birthday. Even in death Alice was considerate and thoughtful by choosing February 13 on Valentine’s Day eve.

My dear friend Angie Cruz asked Franciscan priest Fr. Julian Jagudilla to give her the Holy Oil in her hospital bed. Alice was probably just waiting for that. Because she expired shortly after.

So many emails mourn her passing. My son-in-law Dan Halpern quoted their daughter Sasha who said, “Although I am very sad, I could also be glad that Alice is in heaven.” We all agreed that if anyone deserved to be there, it was Alice, owner of one of the kindest hearts we have ever known.

Alicia Rosales Balbuena was born on January 8, 1953 in La Purisima, Nabua, Camarines Sur. She studied at Agupit Elementary School and La Purisima High School.

Her mother is Antonia Baldon Rosales, a housewife, while her father is Vicente Dante Balbuena, a farmer.

She is the fifth among her nine siblings who are Gloria, Gelacio “Lacio”, Remedios “Edios”, Beatriz “Betty”, Letecia “Letty” B. Yanzon, Gerardo “Gerry”. Two have died earlier.

In 1983, Alice became the housekeeper of Ina Dizon whose husband was the owner of a coffee production company in Manila. It was at that time that Delia Juarez of Iloilo was hired by Ina to oversee laundry duties.

Thus started the friendship of Delia and Alice that endured for many decades. 

In 1985, both were hired by Ada Ledesma Mabilangan, whose husband was Ambassador Philip Mabilangan assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, China. They stayed in China until 1994.

In 1995, Ambassador Mabilangan was transferred to New York as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations. So Delia and Alice came with Ada Mabilangan where they remained in their employment until 2001.

Ambassador Philip and his family were returning to Manila as a retired diplomat. It was at that time that Ada Mabilangan asked me if I needed a chef because Delia was trained by her as a chef. She also recommended Alice as my housekeeper. Perfect timing. I needed them. My chef Gloria Joshua decided to resign to care for her then 12-year-old daughter Adeline or “Addie” who now works for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Ada’s eulogy struck a chord. “Tita Alice significantly contributed to the love and laughter that made our Brooklyn house a home, and my family and I are forever grateful.”

Alice was an excellent housekeeper and Delia became my executive chef whose delectable dishes have become legendary.

Through the years of Alice’s employment, she has been able to send many nieces and nephews to school. She is the go-to kin when a sibling is sick or a cousin needs financial help. Lyra Balbuena Yanson has finished her college studies and is gainfully employed. Her other niece Gemalyn Balbuena, daughter of Alice’s youngest brother Gerry, is graduating with a Nursing degree from Far Eastern University in June. Sadly, Alice’s plan to attend it will no longer happen.

Alice’s special project was the Chapel in Nabua, Cam Sur. By collecting empty cans, empty bottles of soda and water, and exchanging them into cash, she was able to help the chapel in her barangay so that the electricity, the benches, the flowers and the decorations in the chapel are testament to her stewardship.

Everyone who knows Alice has only beautiful words for her: a quiet soul, a joyful spirit, always with a smile, never a complaint nor a harsh word, a hardworking employee, a faithful friend.

Delia has said, “I lost my BBF of 40 years, she has been my companion in all the places we lived in, China and the USA, longer than any of her relatives. I am very glad she did not suffer too long.”

Her only niece Mary Jane Flotildes with her husband Patrick McFarland flew in from Texas to attend the memorial service I arranged with Peter Deluca Funeral Home.

Alice will be buried in her hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur not too far from the chapel she helped care for.