Now a retired engineer, Manny has a degree in Civil Engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology tucked under his belt. After graduation, he worked as an engineer for Air America in Danang, South Vietnam during the conflict. He emigrated to the United States in 1970 and settled in the Bay Area. His family followed shortly thereafter.
Zenny graduated from the Centro Escolar University with a degree in Nutrition. She has stopped working, too, after owning and operating her own businesses – a day care center and a retirement home. In 1993, she was crowned Mrs. Philippines World USA and received an award for Fil-American Mother of the Year from the Filipino Media USA in 1994.
In 1996, Manny and Zenny displayed their dancing prowess and handily won as best cha-cha dancers in various dancing events. This dancing couple are fitness buffs, too. Zenny exercises daily with her walking group while Manny plays basketball and goes fishing.
The couple are blessed with four children, all of whom are born in the Philippines. All four children graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, and all proceeded directly to UC Berkeley to earn their undergraduate degrees.
Daughter Marina, an intellectual property attorney, works as a corporate counsel for Fair Isaac Corporation in San Rafael. Eldest son Marlo is the general consul for the Northern Marianas Island Retirement Fund in Saipan. He passed the bar given last February in Saipan. Marlo is also a licensed pilot and a budding professional photographer. Michael is a supervising senior auditor for Ernst & Young. He earned a master of science degree in accountancy from Notre Dame University with magna cum laude honors. He is married to Angela Wemyss of Zimbabwe. Merik is currently managing director of ForstmannLeff, a Wall Street investment management firm and hedge fund. He is married to Tess San Juan and they have a son, Jack Ryan Sarmiento, 4.