Rogelio Carino

 Rogelio “Ponding” Claron Cariño was born on December 7, 1941 in Calabanga, Camarines Sur, Philippines and passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Cariño, his daughter, Rosemarie Estrada Cariño Biggs, and his grandchildren, Brittany Biggs (Ava Cariño) and Alexander Biggs. He is also survived by his siblings, Stephen Cariño, Leopoldo “Totoy” Cariño, and Pura Cariño Volante. 

Rogelio was known to be adventurous–always traveling and making lifelong friends wherever he was. Throughout his work as a civil engineer in the Philippines, his love of travel and history followed him to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he immigrated to in 1978 with his wife and daughter. From 1979 to 2004, he worked as a pantry chef at the Pink Pony at Circus Circus, where his love for all things culinary and food-related grew, often as traditions or dishes he brought into his home. Aromatic smells of various Filipino dishes and foods, as well as cultural practices would fill his home and family’s hearts with what became two generations of childhood favorites and lasting traditions. 

Yet, what truly defined Rogelio Cariño, was his love of automobiles, storytelling, history, and culinary dishes which have been passed down to his daughter and grandchildren. His passing is not only felt in Las Vegas, but by the Cariño Clan and friends in the Philippines as well as his nieces, nephews, and in-laws all throughout the United States. He will be forever missed, but their memories of him will live on forever.