Herminia Manapsal

Herminia Manapsal, née Ballestamon, lovingly known as Minia, was born on August 17, 1931, in Cavite City, Philippines, to Gregorio Ballestamon and Caridad Portilla. As a young girl, she survived the hardships of World War II—experiences that shaped her strength, her deep faith, and her lifelong devotion to caring for others. At sixteen, Minia began working at Clark Air Base with the 18th Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron. She started in clerical work and quickly became known for her reliability, calm presence, and meticulous attention to detail. These qualities carried her into a variety of administrative roles, where she earned the respect of supervisors and coworkers alike. During the final days of the Vietnam War, when thousands of evacuees and refugees arrived at Clark Air Base during Operation New Life, Minia served in a critical administrative capacity—helping record essential information for arriving servicemen and families. She worked through long hours and emotional days with quiet steadiness and compassion, supporting efforts that helped maintain order and preserve vital records during a humanitarian crisis. In 1950, she married the love of her life, Pedro Manapsal, at the Cathedral of San Fernando in Pampanga. Together they built a beautiful, bustling family: Romualdo, Rosanna, Patricia, Josephine, Mario, and Cynthia. Through the years of raising six children, Minia continued working in administrative roles when needed—most notably at Clark Air Base’s Communications Division—balancing motherhood, service, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. She was known for her remarkable typing skill, reaching an astounding 200 words per minute on a manual typewriter. What made it memorable wasn’t just the speed, but the grace and precision she carried into every task. Her talent supported her work, but it was her dedication, warmth, and work ethic that truly defined her. Her career later led her to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and then to the University Space Research Association (USRA) beginning in 1984. There, she supported complex administrative and engineering-related work with her hallmark diligence, serving the organization faithfully until her retirement in 2001. Minia’s faith was the quiet anchor of her life. A devoted Catholic who prayed the Rosary daily, she lived her values through small acts of service, steadfast loyalty, and an open heart. She was strong when needed, gentle when it mattered, and endlessly nurturing. Her home was a place of warmth—her cooking, especially adobo, kare-kare, and sinigang, remains a cherished memory. One of the family’s sweetest remembrances is how she cooked meals every weekend so her children would be fed and cared for throughout the week. Minia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pedro Manapsal; her parents, Gregorio Ballestamon. and Caridad Portilla; and her siblings Emmanuel (Emil), Eva, Allele, Ada, and Gregorio Jr. She leaves behind her six children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and an enduring legacy of generosity, faith, and quiet strength. On December 8, 2025, Heaven welcomed a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and gentle soul whose life was defined not by recognition, but by love—steadfast, humble, and immeasurable. Rest peacefully in the arms of Our Lord, dear Minia. Your stories, your laughter, and the love you gave so freely will live in our hearts forever.

Herminia Manapsal

August 17, 1931 - December 9, 2025