15/05/2026
Today, we remember and honor my late grandfather, and one of the great men in my life, Romeo S. Gamboa Sr, my lolo Oming.
A man shaped by adversity, yet defined by strength. As a young man, he endured juvenile arthritis that left him physically limited—but never broken in spirit. Widowed early by the passing of his beloved wife, Elena Jimiera Gamboa, he carried on with quiet courage, raising a family that would become his greatest legacy: 10 children and 36 grandchildren who continue to carry his name forward.
He was the son of greatness—born to former Don Generoso Gamboa and Cinco de Noviembre heroine Olympia Severino Gamboa—but he built his own path through service, enterprise, and compassion.
A two-time City Councilor, he championed meaningful causes, including the Employees Housing Project, which continues to serve the community to this day. As a sugarcane planter and businessman, he helped shape the local economy, but his vision extended far beyond business.
He founded Fortuna Subdivision, planting the seeds of growth for generations to come. In honor of their mother, his children would later establish Elena Subdivision—a testament to the values he instilled in them. Today, we, his grandchildren, continue that legacy through Villa Romeo, built not just in his name, but in his spirit.
His compassion for others was not just spoken—it was given. He founded the Negros Occidental Rehabilitation Center, opening doors of hope for persons with disabilities and their families. He donated the land for what was then the Silay City General Hospital—now the Silay City Health Office—ensuring that healthcare would be accessible to his people. He also gave land for the House of Friendship.
That spirit of giving lived on through his children, who continued his work by donating land for the Barangay 5 Hall, its covered court and facilities, and the Barangay Hall of Lantad—extending his legacy of service to the grassroots level.
His life reminds us that true wealth is not measured by what we keep, but by what we give.
Today, we honor not just the man he was, but the legacy he built—one of resilience, service, and enduring love for his family and community.
Happy Birthday, Lolo Oming . Your life continues to guide us.
