Born into a family of farmers in the Philippines, she saw a different path from life, yearning for more. As a teenager, she ventured to the city to reside with a relative who owned a tailor shop. It was here that fate brought her together with Baudillo Bongato. inspiring, encouraging, and supporting him in honing his craft as a sewing machine operator. Their union in matrimony in January of 1956 marked the beginning of a shared dream as they established their own successful tailoring business. Together with dedication and unity they nurtured their enterprise, eventually expanding to employ others and laying the foundation for their growing family. Their union brought forth seven children - Teofilo, Roberto, Lorna, Rogelio, Victorio, Gemma, and Bienvenido.

Upon their relocation to America, she tirelessly labored to reunite her extended family, working not only as a Hygiene Technician in a nursing home but also collaborating with her husband on tailoring from the comfort of their tiny apartment.

She is blessed with 18 grandkids: Jackie, Jillette, Jay, Valerie, Kyleroi, Claudette, Jannah, Johairah, Raymond, Engel, Queen Anne, Charlemagne, John Bethuel, Christian, Shannon, Raymond, Angel, and Baudival. Along with six great grandkids: Bayleigh Lou, Gabriel, DJ, Eviana reign, Bethanie, and Beatrice.

She will be buried alongside her husband.