Happy Birthday, Tony Palisoc 🎉

J.F.R. Perseveranda 8/20/2025 10:15:00 PM

Happy Birthday, Tony Palisoc 🎉

Today, we celebrate the birthday of my best friend since 7th grade French class at Springstowne Jr. High in Vallejo — Tony Palisoc. Through the years, Tony has been more than a friend; he’s been a brother.

From our basketball days since 7th grade, to that unforgettable night in 10th grade when we found ourselves at Mercy High School’s Senior Prom in San Francisco on a blind double date, Tony has always been down for adventure. By senior year, we were working side by side at Princess Garden Chinese Restaurant — juggling school, sports, and life, but always with plenty of laughs.

Our friendship traveled far beyond Vallejo. We explored Kauai and Oahu in 1996, braved the buzz of New York City in May 1997, and took in the beauty of Seattle in August 1997. Tony stood by me as my best man at my wedding and became Ninong to my eldest child.

The photo below is one of my favorites: Tony walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, a moment I captured as we crossed from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Just like that bridge, Tony has always been a steady connection — linking the past, the present, and the promise of lifelong friendship.

📸 Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, May 1997

Happy Birthday, Tony. Joyeux anniversaire, Antoine! Grateful for every memory, every laugh, and every journey we’ve shared. Here’s to many more ahead. Cheers bro!🍻 I've gotta locate your 29th bday pix, so come back again.

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Labels

tony, palisoc, birthday, bestfriend, basketball, prom, mercy, restaurant, kauai, oahu, nyc, seattle, wedding, ninong, brooklyn, bridge, springstowne, vallejo, august 20

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#HappyBirthdayTony #BestFriendsSince7thGrade #SpringstowneJrHS #MercyHighSchoolProm #PrincessGardenRestaurant #BrooklynBridge #NYC1997 #Seattle1997 #KauaiOahu1996 #Pinoybuilt

By: J.F.R. Perseveranda

#PinoyBuilt #FilAmVoices #FilipinoAmericanStories

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Posted by: J.F.R. Perseveranda

Founder, Social Media Manager & Content Creator at Pinoybuilt.com. Photographer at JFPerseveranda.com. Former IT Product Manager at Pacific Gas & Electric. I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant—Filipino-born, U.S.-raised—sharing stories that bridge cultures. Share yours at PINOYBUILT.com. I’m still learning about our roots, and I invite you to learn with me. I was born in Makati City and raised in Marikina, known for world-class shoes and strong community ties. I went to Marist School; my sister went to St. Scholastica’s. We spent weekends in Malate—those memories of old Manila still shape who I am. At 9, we moved to Chicago, where I saw snow for the first time. At 12, we relocated to Vallejo, CA. Since then, I’ve lived in Davis,Glendale (SoCal), back to Chicago in my 20s, San Francisco & Fremont. I visit SoCal often for family. Chicago will always be special—but go Golden State Warriors! At UC Davis, I was a member of Mga Kapatid, where I had the chance to participate in Pilipino Culture Night and perform traditional dances like Bangko. Now, as a father of three, I’m doing my best to pass on our Filipino heritage. Let’s build something Filipino together. Mabuhay. Salamat.