October 18, 1932 – January 20, 2022
Valentin Antonio Ballesteros Castelo passed away in peace and joined our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 20, 2022, in Henderson, Nevada.
Born on October 18, 1932, in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Val was the son of the Honorable Oscar Tombo Castelo, former Secretary of Justice and Secretary of National Defense, and Pura Ballesteros Castelo.
Val grew up in Quezon City and later attended Letran College in Manila. In 1955, he pursued a career in entertainment and signed with LVN Pictures. Val appeared in his first movie, Ikaw Kasi, with Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa. In 1957, he was given a leading role in the movie, Conde de Amor, alongside Nita Javier, followed by Hiwaga Ng Pag-ibig, co-starring Lita Gutierrez. He continued acting for the next decade, becoming one of LVN Pictures’ leading matinee idols on the silver screen. Val also had regular appearances on national television and performed in theatre at Manila Grand Opera House. In addition to film, stage, and television, he did celebrity endorsements for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and San Miguel Beer. In 1966, he shot his last major role, Palos: Counterspy, co-starring his dear friend, Bernard Bonnin, and Helen Gamboa Sotto, the wife of his cousin, Vicente “Tito” Castelo Sotto III, now Senate President of the Philippines.
In 1967, he moved his family to the United States to pursue “the American dream” by providing better opportunities for his children. In Cerritos, California, Val dedicated his life to raising them. And for the next two decades of steadfast commitment, he pivoted his career to working in distribution at Purex Corporation, ultimately enjoying early retirement.
In his later years, Val performed at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, alongside his nephew, Anthony Castelo. During visits to the Philippines, he had guest appearances on television, including a cameo role in his last film, the 1994 movie, Tunay Na Magkaibigan, Walang Iwanan…Peksman!, with his cousin, Vic Sotto.
His favorite pastimes included singing, playing the guitar, and piano. Val had an inborn talent for music and could play an instrument by ear. He loved to entertain and could mesmerize an audience with his beautiful voice. Val also had a comedic side and enjoyed amusing everyone, including his grandchildren. A naturally gifted artist, he was fond of sketching and hand-carving wood. He was also an excellent cook, preparing the most delicious dishes from scratch. Above all else, he was a man of strong faith and will always be remembered for his compassion towards people in need.
Val is survived by his loving wife, Leila Ilaga Castelo; his five children, Valentin R. Castelo, Valerie C. Alexander (David), Valmarie Castelo, Valdoni Castelo, Valeska C. Pawlak (Timothy); dedicated mother of his children, Esperanza Castelo; his six grandchildren, Valentina Shirley, Anastasha Andres, Jazmin Plemon, Blake Peetz, Peter Dickinson, Brooke Peetz; his seven great-grandchildren, Zachary Marlowe, Christina Marlowe, Jessica Marlowe, James Mickelson, Paisley Plemon, Liam Leahy, Hudson Plemon; his beloved sister, Ramona C. Canlas, and brother, Carlo Castelo. Val was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Milo Castelo, Oscar Castelo, and Noel Castelo.
