Porfiria Luna Buted Raval, wife of the late OIC governor Atty. Castor Raval, died in California, USA on March 15, 2016 at the age of 94. She was interred at the Glendale memorial park there last March 26.
Mrs. Raval, fondly called “Porfing”, served as music supervisor of the Department of Education in the 1970s during the Marcos administration. She earned her Masteral degree in music education with her thesis about Ilocano folk songs “Manang Biday” and others.
Known as vocalist, composer, arranger and choir conductor, Mrs. Raval was the DepEd prime organizer of cultural programs for all visits here in Ilocos Norte of then President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos in the 70s.
As soprano, madam Porfing was one of the few vocalists who could hit the universal C note, music aficionados said.
She founded the famous Tawid Choir for Christ, whose members were selected professionals of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte.
For years, the Tawid Choir had widely performed before various elite audiences here and abroad with Mrs. Raval always spotlighted on the center stage whenever she led her group in medley songs performances.
She is survived by her children Winston, musician (solo pianist & jazz trio leader); Jose Roy, lawyer & martial arts pro; Luthgarda, world class fashion designer; Emy Paz, doctor (psychiatrist); Castor Jr., law office paralegal practitioner; and Ditas, home health director on marketing and public relations.
All her children reside in USA, except Jose Roy, a law practitioner in Laoag City after he retired as chief of LRA register of deeds in Laguna province. (jun ramos guiang)
