On Sunday night, shortly after the Super Bowl, what should have been a quiet evening at home became a life-altering emergency for our beloved Uncle Noel. While simply taking out the trash, Noel suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed in his driveway. One moment he was the same cheery, loving man we all know — and the next, our world turned upside down. He was found unconscious and rushed by ambulance to the hospital, where doctors discovered several of his major arteries were severely blocked.

The Fight for His Life

His family and the medical team acted quickly, but his condition was critical. He has since been placed on ECMO — a life support machine that circulates and oxygenates his blood — and has undergone emergency stent surgery to open the blocked arteries. Our uncle is a fighter. Anyone who knows Noel knows his strength does not come from muscles alone — it comes from his heart. And even though his heart right now is not working at 100%, that has never stopped him from loving at 200%. He remains in the ICU, surrounded by machines, prayers, and the deep love of his family. The road ahead will be long and challenging, but we are holding onto faith and the grace of God every step of the way.

Who Noel Is

Noel is not just a patient in a hospital bed. He is a devoted husband to his beautiful wife, Rochelle, and a proud, loving father to Miley, Nolan, Leah, and Owen — his greatest joys in life. His children are his world. Everything he does, every sacrifice he makes, is for them. He is a son, a brother, a cousin, a ninong, and the best Tito anyone could ask for. As his nieces and nephews, we can say without hesitation: if you ever needed help, Tito Noel was the first to show up. Whether it was fixing something, grilling for a family party, offering advice, or simply sitting with you when you needed support — he was there. No questions asked. Noel loves to sing — karaoke mic in hand, heart fully in it. He loves firing up the grill at family gatherings, making sure everyone has a full plate before he even sits down. He loves camping, being outdoors, laughing loud, and eating seafood with the people he loves most. He carries his Filipino heritage with pride — family first, faith always, food bringing everyone together. His warmth fills a room. His smile makes you feel safe. His jokes make you groan — but laugh anyway. A man who trusts in God’s plan even when he doesn’t understand it. And right now, we are leaning on that same faith.

Why We Need Your Help

As his nieces and nephews — Maria and Alfredo, Pauline, Matthew and Isabella, Melissa, Allison and Mike, Samantha, Mark, Lili, Kay, Bailey and Nickolas — we are organizing this fund to support our Tito, our aunt Rochelle, and our cousins during this unimaginable time. Between the emergency procedures, ECMO life support, surgeries, and his extended ICU stay, the medical expenses are overwhelming. And once he stabilizes, there will be a long road of rehabilitation and recovery ahead. We want Rochelle and the kids to focus on loving him, praying for him, and being by his side — not worrying about bills.

How You Can Support

Your donation, no matter the size, will help with:   

 •    Medical expenses — ICU care, ECMO treatment, surgeries, and hospital costs   

 •    Rehabilitation and recovery — the long-term care he will need   

 •    Family support — helping Rochelle and the kids manage daily expenses while Noel is unable to work

If you are unable to donate, we completely understand. Please consider sharing this page and keeping Noel in your prayers. As a Catholic family, we believe in the power of prayer, community, and miracles. We are praying for healing, for strength, and for many more years of hearing him sing at family parties. Our Tito’s heart may need healing right now, but his love has never weakened. And we believe with all our faith that God is not done with his story. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and prayers.

With love and gratitude,

Maria and Alfredo, Pauline, Matthew and Isabella, Melissa, Allison and Mike, Samantha, Mark, Lili, Kay, Baily and Nickolas