Obituary of Reynaldo D. Jacala

November 8, 2021

Reynaldo D. Jacala, age 71 originally from Quezon City, Philippines, and a longtime resident of New York, passed away on November 8, 2021.

He was born June 23, 1950, to Sergio Jacala and Victoria Dimanlig and he was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters; who affectionately called him "Bong". Reynaldo "Rey" graduated from Far Eastern University in the Philippines and earned a Master's degree from St. John's University in Queens, NY.

He worked in many diverse and challenging careers in his life including working as a laboratory technician and then advancing to laboratory administrator in hospitals around New York. He also worked in the U.S. Postal Service in his later years. No matter where he went, he built relationships and personal connections along the way and was well regarded among all his peers. But his greatest professional achievement was as proud owner and restaurateur of Manila Garden Restaurant in lower Manhattan for over ten years, a mighty accomplishment in NY's culinary landscape as one of the first restaurants to awaken the palates of food critics from the New York Times to authentic, fine Filipino cuisine. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/05/arts/in-metropolitan-niches-filipino-dishes-twice-as-nice.html The restaurant was an extension of himself; he was committed to its success and Manila Garden blossomed under his care and the support of his restaurant family.

In his downtime, he was an avid fan of all NY sports teams including the Knicks and the Yankees, although living so close to Shea Stadium (now Citi Field) you'd think he was a Mets fan as well! He loved to travel to new places and try new things, the world was his oyster. Many family members will remember him as the one who would take them on new adventures in their formative years; being around him was a guaranteed good time. Closer to his residence in lower Manhattan, he volunteered at Church of the Immaculate Conception, a place and community that gave him solace and strengthened his faith in God.

He is survived by his wife, Nerelita Viaje Jacala and his former spouse Carmen Reyes Jacala. He is also survived by his three daughters and their spouses, Candice Davenport and her husband, Paul; Maria Blanco and her husband, David and Patricia Pacificador and her husband, Daniel as well as nine grandchildren. He will be missed by his surviving siblings: Carmen Jacala Legaspi, Marita Jacala, and Josefina Buzeta, and his beloved nieces and nephews and extended family.

Viewings will be held at Greenwich Village Funeral Home, 199 Bleecker St. New York, NY 10012 on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, from 2-5 PM and 6-8 PM. As per the funeral home and to protect those who are immunocompromised or unable to get vaccinated: MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

Street parking is available or you may find parking in the Enterprise/Thompson parking lot on 221 Thompson st. Between Bleecker and West 3rd St.

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at 10 AM at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 414 East 14th St. New York, NY 10009; followed by an intimate reception with light refreshments in the Rectory Community Room; all are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Church of the Immaculate Conception with a memo: Donation in memory of Reynaldo Jacala.

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