Rodelio Aglibot

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April 12, 2020 · via mobile

Rodelio consulted on a restaurant I managed in Memphis. The kitchen team would get so nervous when he was coming to visit - they didn't want to disappoint him. We all loved his passion and his sense of humor. And his big, warm hugs!
My deepest condolences.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

Ruby & Family
I don’t have sufficient words to express how my heart aches for you & your sweet family.
I do know you will miss your beloved brother, greatly.
I wish there was something I could do that would bring each of you comfort during this... more

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April 11, 2020

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April 11, 2020

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April 11, 2020

First, my deepest condolences go out to the Aglibot family. I am heartbroken at his loss and I just can’t imagine the depth of your pain and I am so very, very sorry. Thank you for bringing such an amazing human being into the world. He was a... moreFirst, my deepest condolences go out to the Aglibot family. I am heartbroken at his loss and I just can’t imagine the depth of your pain and I am so very, very sorry. Thank you for bringing such an amazing human being into the world. He was a tremendous gift to me and I will always be so thankful for my time with Rod.

I met my dear sweet friend Rod at UCLA. I never again lived in California, but Rod would visit me in the various places I lived, Colorado and Washington State and I would see him in San Francisco and LA and at his restaurants and he would never pass up an invitation to come to my parent’s house in San Juan Capistrano when we both happened to be in town. He was just so loving and kind and family oriented and even my Mom just mentioned to me that she had spent an hour long phone conversation (sometime in the 90’s I think) talking to him about his hopes and dreams for the future. When he visited S. CA I would bake him chocolate cookies and he told me this last December that he had fond memories of my Mom’s Chicken Divan which I always thought was sweet, funny and just so truly, authentically Rod. When I couldn’t figure out why my pasta didn’t taste right cooing at altitude he said to use kosher salt and I have ever since. He taught me about a proper plate lunch with 2 scoop rice and mac salad. He was the most amazing chef of course and I loved the treat of eating at his restaurants, but I remember his beautiful soul through the simple meals and just being with him and his deep, deep love and joy for all those he met. We had been out of touch many of the years since I settled in CO and started a family but I am so thankful that I had a chance to talk to him for a few days in a row this last December and to tell him how much I cherished our friendship and how much I cared for him and that I was so thankful for all of the times we’d had together. I’m crying again as I write this. He was just simply the best. I love him so very much. less

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

Thank you. 💗

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

We love you Lolo

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April 11, 2020 · via mobile

I Cant remember a major life event that did not include my dearest friend in it. From lunch time pantry raids that turned into feasts while in High School to sitting on the patio at your own restaurant.... you lived life to the fullest. Thank you for... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

We never took pictures when we went our our field trips together we were just together in the moment - but with other people around there were some fun ones.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

We met... One day :)

I moved home to Chicago after 6 years and had my very first day of work at a restaurant. I came to the line to pick up food and there you were. You asked about my day and I told you entirely too much and then your words of wisdom... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

This was the last time we were together.

You were such a bright light in a dark place. I miss our conversations about food. Thank you for opening my mind and soul to a way of appreciating the little things in life. I will never forget our times... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

Rodelio ( Wrong in the Kong after working with him in Hong Kong), was one of my most dear friends! His smile, laughter and absolute genuineness brought us all sooo much light and true joy!!! The memories of eating until we couldn’t eat any more but did... more

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April 11, 2020

Rod was working at Cafe Peregrine when I met him. I was selling a very mediocre book of wine, but he found something to buy from me. He told me to come in for dinner that Saturday, probably thinking I would never show. I walked in at 6:00. "Hey!... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

RIP Brother!

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

One of our most fun media moments spent together at The Ellen Show! Rod killed it - making sushi with Rob Thomas and Ellen.

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Aila Sicam reacted on this.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

Rod has been one of my favorite people in the world since the moment we met. He was my client, my mentor, my chef, my person and one of my best friends - no matter how far apart we were or how long we spent apart. I love him like he was my family - maybe... more

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Becky Cohen Fortune reacted on this.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

This is Rodelio describing his first dinner at the James Beard House and cooking for his idol Jacques Pepin. It was as he says “one of the biggest compliments he ever got in his life”...

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This is Rod in his own words describing cooking for his idol Jacques Pepin.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

From Jeff Rodgers:
Within a week of meeting Rodelio Aglibot, I felt like I had know him my entire life. He was my friend, my brother, my house guest, my roommate, my confidant, my kids' Uncle Rod, my late-night hang, my early-morning Spam provider, and... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

I loved him so. He literally ‘moved in’ the first day Becky introduced us and never left. Like for so many others, he was Uncle Rod to
my children, best friend to my husband Jeffrey Rodgers, he was truly family. My life is forever better because he... more

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

I loved the look on his face when I surprised Rod at the book launch in SF and represented his Lemoore roots. He read an excerpt from his portion and this memory I share for his dear family and friends. Eternal rest grant unto you Den, and may perpetual... more

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The New Filipino Kitchen SF book launch Sept 2018

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Stacy Keating reacted on this.

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April 11, 2020 · via iPhone

My Ode to Den-Den...
There are a handful of us from a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that formed a bond more than four decades ago. You all know who you are. Den, I can speak for all of us in that group – your passing this past weekend... moreMy Ode to Den-Den...
There are a handful of us from a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that formed a bond more than four decades ago. You all know who you are. Den, I can speak for all of us in that group – your passing this past weekend seriously rocked our world. I wasn’t going to write or post anything because that would mean the news was real and I wasn’t ready to accept it. Even as I spoke with Rubes to confirm the news, nothing she was saying rung true. I was just talking to you on the phone about coming for a visit this week. We sent texts on how easy that drive was going to be. You just texted me the ingredients for that flank steak. WTF, you promised me your fried rice – I was going to cheat on my diet this weekend.

As tears stream down my face writing this, I’m overcome with emotions and memories. Riding bikes in the rain, making forts out of cardboard boxes, weekends at Barber’s Point and Fort Derussy - learning to swim, surf and fish… jumping into Blow Hole every chance we got… all the Easters at Bellows, Saturday night poker parties and the random sleepovers because our parents wanted to go dancing at the Ilikai. Oh, and remember that time at Foster’s Point when you fell off the pier (or did we push you?) – or was that Efren Jr.? We may have formed our bond because of our parents… but we made them last because of our ohana within the ohana.

As we grew up and moved to the mainland, we lived in different cities, went to different high schools – but we always saw each other at some family function at least once a year. Eun reminded me about the time you broke the window at our house in San Diego and when we had that Fender Bender in Del Mar? Good times (maybe not so good for our parents). What about the time we tried to fit 14 people in the Buick that summer when I first got my license – just so we could all go swimming together at my house? It didn’t matter where we lived - we could go months or years without seeing each other but in an instant, we just picked-up where we left off.

But being Bruins and roommates really solidified our ohana. Remember all the times you’d just polish off everyone’s food in the freezer to make some amazing concoction? Oh wait – do you remember your addiction to KOST radio station? You and Jeff – oy vey! But then you moved to the Overland house and stepped it up several notches… oh the stories that house could tell and what about the hundreds of gallons of jungle juice we went through?

This photo brought back so many memories – so many tailgates, so many road trips – all the rival games, maybe a few too many missed classes – the Palace, Florentine Gardens, Hugh Hefner’s house, late nights at Tommys, late lunches at Old World, “merienda” at Diddy Riese, Sunday afternoons at Olvera Street… that Janet Jackson concert and that Air Supply concert, all the Laker games (in Inglewood), Korean karaoke bars on Olympic, trips to Vegas, San Francisco, Mexico, Miami, NYC – oh wait, remember all the ski trips to Big Bear and Tahoe? How about that one when you said I could ski the black diamond slopes at Snow Summit? Remember the moguls and the crushed apples? The list can go on and on, kasinsin… remember Moon’s 30th or was it her 25th?

The three of us – we were the original tres amigos. All the birthdays, weddings, births, baptisms, communions, funerals – you were there. You were there when she suffered a huge loss and needed a shoulder to cry on. You were there when I was so very lost (and went through how many hair styles??). Thank you for helping us through our respective dark years. Our homes and our hearts were there for you when you started your culinary journey and when your heart was broken by a mean girl. Remember “the Canadian” and “room temperature girl”?

Thank you for telling mom and dad that Brian was the one. Thank you for explaining our ohana to him (before I even knew he needed to know). Thank you for starting the tradition of singing original songs on each other’s birthdays. I remember the very first one. I remember that we made sure those songs went to voicemail so we could play them over and over again. I looked forward to hearing your original birthday serenades every year – the best was the one to the tune of “I’m bringing sexy back”. Who will sing to me in June?

I know you knew how much I loved you… how much WE loved you. And we know how much you loved us. You were never afraid to show us or tell us. I think that’s what we loved most about you. You wore your heart on your sleeve and you never held back. I will miss that. Those who have written about you speak of your infectious laugh, your welcoming smile, your friendship, your generosity and your love of life… they were right – you were ALL of that. But what I will always remember is your capacity to love and your willingness to lay it all out there in your search for that perfect love. I hope you knew that you always had that perfect love… IN YOU. And we felt it every day.

I’ll end my ode to you with a snippet from one of your favorite bands and one of your favorite karaoke picks “… and I'll take with me the memories, to be my sunshine after the rain… it's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday…” I love you ading… I am your SHMATTY forever... less

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Stacy Keating This is so beautiful. Thank you.
- April 12, 2020

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April 10, 2020 · via iPad

Our family knew the Aglibot family from our high school days (30-something years ago) in the little town of Lemoore, California. What a sweet surprise visit that was arranged by my big sis, Beverly Cormier (Rod’s high school classmate) and little bro,... more

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April 10, 2020 · via iPhone

Missing you so much Rod! Will always cherish the short time we had together on this earth. From high school, to being the emcee at our wedding reception, to our adventures in Hong Kong and all the chats in between. Toasting you on this Holy Week and... more

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Geralie Fernandez reacted on this.

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April 10, 2020 · via iPhone

Thinking of you, Rod❣️ Sending our love and condolences ❤️❤️❤️- Pam , Barbara, Bev and Jenn

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Geralie Fernandez reacted on this.

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April 10, 2020 · via iPhone

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April 10, 2020 · via iPhone

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April 10, 2020

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April 9, 2020

Rodelio taught me so much about living a life filled with joy, love, hope, faith, determination, drive & perseverance.
He was the most loyal, true blue friend a person could have.....
I don't even know where to start....the many road trips with loads... more

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April 9, 2020

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April 9, 2020

Rod's first time being honored at the James Beard House!
He was so on his game - he SLAYED IT!
So much so that Jacques Pepin took to the mic - and professed his love for Rod's food.
It was truly one of the best nights ever - but so were our ordinary... more

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April 9, 2020

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April 9, 2020

Chef Rodelio was talented genuine, and giving. We first met when he opened Sunda in Chicago and we remained good friends ever since. He was always willing to help with my projects and events and was my go to chef a few years ago when we hosted a huge... more

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April 9, 2020

I meant to call you this week but I didn’t. The signs were there yet I kept getting distracted and that call never happened. I kept finding memories of you this week while I was reorganizing my house; photos, a Harrods teddy bear you gave Luke from your... moreI meant to call you this week but I didn’t. The signs were there yet I kept getting distracted and that call never happened. I kept finding memories of you this week while I was reorganizing my house; photos, a Harrods teddy bear you gave Luke from your travels to London, a Christmas ornanment of a rocking horse for Lucy, it was 2014 the year of the horse and included a note that said, “I can’t wait to watch you grow up. Love, Uncle Rod.” I can’t believe you’re gone, but your memory will live on forever.

My memory...
It was 2009 and I was having dinner with a group of friends Kim Lichtenstein Lieb Marissa Rudman Monica Canellis at Sunda. We had a table next to the sushi bar and before long we were greeted by chef Rodelio Aglibot, smiling ear to ear, delivering a plate of sushi that he wanted us to try. He turned to me and said, “My friend is here and she’s a TV Producer who gets a kick out of watching me deliver free food to pretty girls.” I then told him “I’m a producer.” Rod said “She used to live in NY. I said, “I’m just moved from NY.” He said, “She worked at Tyra. I said, “I worked at Tyra, who is she? It was Becky Cohen Fortunee who was my Supervising Producer He brought me to her, and now that we knew one person in common our friendship was born.
You were more than a friend, you were family. Despite coming from different backgrounds there were so many commonalities that brought us together; both having lost siblings, living apart from our tight knit families, but always finding comfort in food. I introduced you to Jewish cuisines and even made the trip to NJ with you and my parents so you could try the largest deli sandwich and matza balls at Harold’s Deli. You made me some of your favorite Filipino dishes and I was always willing and able to be your taste tester. You brought me along on your eating adventures ordering OOE One Of Each which later became the storyline for your TV show Food Buddha.
Food and family weren’t the only ties that bind us...it was love. I loved hearing about your love life but also quite critical of it. You had so much love to give and no one was good enough to reciprocate it. And I thought you would be just as tough with me, but you weren’t when I brought Judd to Sunda for the first time to meet you, you welcomed him with open arms. When we got engaged, I asked you to be my Bridesman. You made the trip to NY with me and my 8 bridesmaids to my East Coast shower and bachelorette party. It was a weekend to remember. Being a Bridesman then became your staple and even landed you a story in Glamour Magazine thanks to because Rachel Gillman Rischall.
After giving birth to Lucy, you were one of my first visitors and truly a baby whisperer. Knowing I went 9 months without sushi you hosted a dinner party and made the most delicious omakase dinner at your home...you are still the only person I’d ever know to have a real sushi bar in their house!
So many memories we shared and such a huge loss for all of us. #foodbuddhaforever less

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April 8, 2020

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April 8, 2020

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April 8, 2020

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April 7, 2020

Hi friends,

In 2018, I went to Rome with Rod for a mastermind retreat. Out of our 11 year friendship, this trip was absolutely one of my favorites memories of him - we got to spend such sacred time together. We went to his AMAZING sushi restaurant Me... more

The Food Buddha in Italy

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Rachel Dlugosinski and Vanessa Hangad reacted on this.

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April 7, 2020

We love you, Rodelio. We are grateful and blessed to be your friend, neighbor, and colleague. We loved watching for your updates as you traveled around the world. We were always excited when we received your calls, telling us you would be in town and... more

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Rachel Dlugosinski reacted on this.

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April 7, 2020

Rachel Dlugosinski and Dalena Benavente reacted on this.

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April 7, 2020

Kuya Rod, I'm simply devastated to learn about your passing. My memories of you will remain strong, and as nourishing as the lugaw you made for our book launch in Chicago, as delicious as the crab fat aioli you whipped up at my birthday party (to... more

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Dalena Benavente reacted on this.

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April 6, 2020

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