| Isidro B. Barrera Virginia Beach, Virginia "Great achievements require great support!” |
Isidro Baron Barrera was born in Pontevedra, Negros
Occidental on the 15th of May, 1943. His formative years
were spent in Roxas City, Capiz and Negros where he
attended Plaridel Elementary School and Bacolod City
High School respectively. He was an outstanding
student from an early age. His studious and engaging
approach to education as a young man was evidenced
by stellar academic performance (graduated top 3%,
1962) and the attainment of such positions as Associate
Managing Editor of the High School news paper and
National Public School Paper Conference
Representative (Iligan Lanao, 1961). College education
was critically important to Sid. His outstanding high
school record directly resulted in a scholarship
opportunity at La Salle Bacolod, which he took
advantage of from 1962 to 1964.
In 1964, Sid made a decision that would fundamentally
alter the course of his life, he decided to join the United
States Navy. Sid began a lengthy and highly successful
career of military service initially, as a cook and
Occidental on the 15th of May, 1943. His formative years
were spent in Roxas City, Capiz and Negros where he
attended Plaridel Elementary School and Bacolod City
High School respectively. He was an outstanding
student from an early age. His studious and engaging
approach to education as a young man was evidenced
by stellar academic performance (graduated top 3%,
1962) and the attainment of such positions as Associate
Managing Editor of the High School news paper and
National Public School Paper Conference
Representative (Iligan Lanao, 1961). College education
was critically important to Sid. His outstanding high
school record directly resulted in a scholarship
opportunity at La Salle Bacolod, which he took
advantage of from 1962 to 1964.
In 1964, Sid made a decision that would fundamentally
alter the course of his life, he decided to join the United
States Navy. Sid began a lengthy and highly successful
career of military service initially, as a cook and
steward… serving meals, shining shoes, and cleaning officer’s living quarters. He continued to
pursue education via night school and was quickly identified by his superiors as a sailor with
promotional potential. Sid earned an accelerated promotion to Steward 3rd Class Petty Officer (PO) in
1965 after graduating at the top of Steward “A” School. He was accelerated once again to 2nd Class
PO in 1967 and was promoted to 1st Class PO in 1970. PO Barrera demonstrated through
performance that he was committed to the Navy, but his passion for the cause of military service was
best exemplified when he participated in and won a U.S. Navy and U.S Armed Forces Essay Writing
contest Sponsored By Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge, PA. His essay, “Why am I in the Uniform of
My Country?” was published in 1970; and, “Freedom: Privilege or Obligation?” was another winning
submission, 1977.
An educational trend setter for the Filipino community, in 1972 Sid became the first Filipino-American
in the Tidewater, VA area to be selected for the U.S. Navy’s Associate Degree Completion Program,
attending Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth, VA. He quickly topped this accomplishment in
1973 by becoming the first Filipino-American to be accepted to Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.,
through the Secretary of the Navy Scholarship. Finally, in 1974, PO Sid Barrera graduated from Old
Dominion University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.
Upon graduating from Old Dominion, the young man from Pontevedra, Negros Occidental set his sites
on a goal that at one time seemed unattainable; becoming a U.S. Commissioned Naval Officer. In
November of 1974, he gained acceptance to the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport Rhode
Island, and upon graduating with honors, was commissioned as an Ensign.
From 1974 to 1975, Ensign Barrera attended the U. S. Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA. From
1975 to 1981, he served as U.S. Navy Paymaster, Purser; Executive Dining Director; Ship Department
Store/Enlisted Dining Administrator; U. S. Navy Aircraft Parts deputy director (USS Jouette and NAS
Miramar, San Diego California).
From 1981 to 1984 Lieutenant Barrera served as the Food Service Director and Supply Officer;
Regional Director (VA-NC-Germany), Armed Forces-Department of Defense commissary store support
(USS Stump/Cheatham, Williamsburg/ Philadelphia, PA). He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander
in the summer of 1984. In 1985, Lieutenant Commander Barrera became the first Filipino-American
Officer-In-Charge of Guantanamo Navy Base Exchange/Base Commissary Store. During this tour he
became the first Filipino-American to open and operate a McDonald’s Restaurant in a Communist
country.
In 1989, Sid achieved another milestone in his life-long pursuit of education, earning a Masters
Degree in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.
After 26 years of dedicated service to his country, LCDR Sid Barrera retired. Of the many decorations
and Service medals he earned, Sid is most proud of his Navy Achievement Medals (two), Navy Supply
Blue “E”, and Navy “E” Expert 45 pistol medal.
From 1984 to the present, Sid has devoted his free time to preserving the Filipino culture through
leadership positions in the Filipino—American community
As the President of the Filipino-American Veterans of Tidewater in 1984, he organized many events
and presentations that honored and memorialized the Filipino-American servicemen who dedicated
their lives in faithful service to their adopted country. In 1998, Sid was chosen as President of the
Kahirup Foundation of Tidewater. It was a privilege to accept this role since it meant perpetuating the
bonds of fellowship among the people of his childhood community. He was elected and served as the
first Administrator of the newly constructed Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia (PCC) from 1998 to
2002. Sid wrote and implemented the business and administrative policies and procedures during
the initial four years of the PCC in conjunction with the appointed officers of the Council of United
Filipino Organizations of Tidewater (CUFOT) and the Board of Trustees of the PCC. In 2006, he was
elected as Chairman of Board of Trustees for the PCC.
From humble beginnings, Sid Barrera created a life filled with personal accomplishment and public
service. His contributions to the Filipino-American community have been significant and deserving of
recognition. But he would be the first to admit that great achievement requires great support. In 1969,
Sid made the most important - and perhaps the smartest- decision of his life, he married Ofelia
Dolosa, his high school sweetheart. For 37 years she has been his inspiration, the guiding light of his
life, and the real secret to his success.
pursue education via night school and was quickly identified by his superiors as a sailor with
promotional potential. Sid earned an accelerated promotion to Steward 3rd Class Petty Officer (PO) in
1965 after graduating at the top of Steward “A” School. He was accelerated once again to 2nd Class
PO in 1967 and was promoted to 1st Class PO in 1970. PO Barrera demonstrated through
performance that he was committed to the Navy, but his passion for the cause of military service was
best exemplified when he participated in and won a U.S. Navy and U.S Armed Forces Essay Writing
contest Sponsored By Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge, PA. His essay, “Why am I in the Uniform of
My Country?” was published in 1970; and, “Freedom: Privilege or Obligation?” was another winning
submission, 1977.
An educational trend setter for the Filipino community, in 1972 Sid became the first Filipino-American
in the Tidewater, VA area to be selected for the U.S. Navy’s Associate Degree Completion Program,
attending Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth, VA. He quickly topped this accomplishment in
1973 by becoming the first Filipino-American to be accepted to Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.,
through the Secretary of the Navy Scholarship. Finally, in 1974, PO Sid Barrera graduated from Old
Dominion University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.
Upon graduating from Old Dominion, the young man from Pontevedra, Negros Occidental set his sites
on a goal that at one time seemed unattainable; becoming a U.S. Commissioned Naval Officer. In
November of 1974, he gained acceptance to the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport Rhode
Island, and upon graduating with honors, was commissioned as an Ensign.
From 1974 to 1975, Ensign Barrera attended the U. S. Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA. From
1975 to 1981, he served as U.S. Navy Paymaster, Purser; Executive Dining Director; Ship Department
Store/Enlisted Dining Administrator; U. S. Navy Aircraft Parts deputy director (USS Jouette and NAS
Miramar, San Diego California).
From 1981 to 1984 Lieutenant Barrera served as the Food Service Director and Supply Officer;
Regional Director (VA-NC-Germany), Armed Forces-Department of Defense commissary store support
(USS Stump/Cheatham, Williamsburg/ Philadelphia, PA). He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander
in the summer of 1984. In 1985, Lieutenant Commander Barrera became the first Filipino-American
Officer-In-Charge of Guantanamo Navy Base Exchange/Base Commissary Store. During this tour he
became the first Filipino-American to open and operate a McDonald’s Restaurant in a Communist
country.
In 1989, Sid achieved another milestone in his life-long pursuit of education, earning a Masters
Degree in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.
After 26 years of dedicated service to his country, LCDR Sid Barrera retired. Of the many decorations
and Service medals he earned, Sid is most proud of his Navy Achievement Medals (two), Navy Supply
Blue “E”, and Navy “E” Expert 45 pistol medal.
From 1984 to the present, Sid has devoted his free time to preserving the Filipino culture through
leadership positions in the Filipino—American community
As the President of the Filipino-American Veterans of Tidewater in 1984, he organized many events
and presentations that honored and memorialized the Filipino-American servicemen who dedicated
their lives in faithful service to their adopted country. In 1998, Sid was chosen as President of the
Kahirup Foundation of Tidewater. It was a privilege to accept this role since it meant perpetuating the
bonds of fellowship among the people of his childhood community. He was elected and served as the
first Administrator of the newly constructed Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia (PCC) from 1998 to
2002. Sid wrote and implemented the business and administrative policies and procedures during
the initial four years of the PCC in conjunction with the appointed officers of the Council of United
Filipino Organizations of Tidewater (CUFOT) and the Board of Trustees of the PCC. In 2006, he was
elected as Chairman of Board of Trustees for the PCC.
From humble beginnings, Sid Barrera created a life filled with personal accomplishment and public
service. His contributions to the Filipino-American community have been significant and deserving of
recognition. But he would be the first to admit that great achievement requires great support. In 1969,
Sid made the most important - and perhaps the smartest- decision of his life, he married Ofelia
Dolosa, his high school sweetheart. For 37 years she has been his inspiration, the guiding light of his
life, and the real secret to his success.
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