Felipe Suva Martin

Dr. Felipe Suva Martin (Phil), age 88 and long-time resident of Cambridge, passed away on July 4, 2020 at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines.

Born in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines on June 7, 1932, he was the son of Juan Martin and Alegria Suva and had 2 siblings, Reynaldo and Orlando. He is predeceased by Reynaldo who passed away at seven years old, his mother who passed away when he was 16 years old, and his father. Juan remarried and had 11 more children. Phil and Orlando met their half siblings for the first time in 2010 - Shirley Santamaria, Romeo Martin, Juan Martin, Jr., Emmanuel Martin, Douglas Martin (deceased), Antonio Martin, Francisco Martin (deceased), Mary Ann Hulett, Edwin Thomas Martin Joselito Martin and Grace Grossman.

Phil was raised in San Miguel and early educated at Infant Jesus and MAPA High School. He was the valedictorian of his high school class and in 2014 received the MAPA, Blue Falcon Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of economics. He attended the University of Philippines (UP) and graduated magna cum laude with a BA. He later earned an MBA from Stanford University, followed by a doctoral degree in economics at MIT. 

While teaching at UP, he fell in love with his student Maria Clara Valenzuela. They married and moved to Cambridge, MA where together they raised their loving daughters, Annamarie (Anna) and Melinda (Mel). Although they later divorced, Clara held a special place in his heart. 

Phil had a long, distinguished and rewarding career as a Professor of Economics. He taught at Boston University, Emmanuel College, Babson College, Harvard University Extension School, University of Massachusetts Boston and Tufts University.   

In addition to teaching, he was an analyst at the Manila Stock Exchange and was in charge of the banking sector of the econometric model of the U.S. economy at Data Resources Inc.(DRI), Lexington. He wrote articles published in the DRI Banking Review. Phil was actively involved during the martial law era in the Philippines as chairman of the Boston Chapter of the Movement for a Free Philippines. He served as president of the Filipino Association of Greater Boston.

Phil was a faithful, generous friend, loved by all. He enjoyed entertaining and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid chess player and a terrific tennis player. If the US Open or Wimbledon were on, you could count on him watching. Phil had a brilliant mathematical mind and was always willing to help his nephews and grandchildren with their math homework. He constantly challenged everyone with brain teasers and riddles. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a practical joker. He used to say his goal was to become an academic dean so that he would have to be addressed as “Dean Martin,” a favorite actor of his. One of Phil’s proudest moments was earning a PhD at MIT where he completed his thesis entitled “United States Direct Investments in the Philippines.” From then on, he jokingly insisted on being addressed as “Dr. Martin.”

Phil loved listening to music, especially the “oldies” and you could often hear him singing Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “Beyond the Sea.” If it was your birthday, you could count on him singing “Blow out the Candle” by Toni and Jan Arden (1952). 

Once retired, Phil moved back to the Philippines with his long-time love, Dr. Teresita Tuazon (Tita) in 2008. They enjoyed life together in Quezon City until his death. He is survived by his partner,Teresita Tuazon of Quezon City; ex-wife Maria Clara Valenzuela of Cambridge; daughters Anna Collins and her husband Matt of Bedford and Melinda O’Leary of Lincoln; his grandsons Steven Collins, Robert Collins, James Collins and Liam Felipe O’Leary; his brother Orlando Martin and his wife Lourdes of Arlington; his nephews Frederick Martin of Arlington and Kenneth Martin and his wife Kaitlyn of Honolulu.

Due to the COV-19 pandemic, Phil’s burial was delayed. His ashes will be laid to rest beside his mother in San Miguel Cemetery, Bulacan, Philippines on All Saints Day, November 1, 2020.