A valued campus community member was lost on June 29.
Mark Manlapaz, 37, was found stabbed to death in his truck in the Campus South area, apparently by a campus custodian.
On July 5, a vigil in honor of Mark Manlapaz was held at Lewis Park in Claremont.
That same day, Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Strategic Communications released an “in memoriam” statement.
Manlapaz, a Cal Poly alum, was described as a hardworking and kind man by his colleagues, including Michael Biagi, director of Parking & Transportation and Johnny Lai, marketing coordinator for University Housing Services and the University Police Department.
The university’s statement described how Manlapaz, a native of the Philippines, financially supported family members in their pursuit of higher education.
“He just wanted to help people. He would look at you, and if you had that look in your eye, he’d say, ‘Let me help you,’” Lai said.
“He worked a lot, but in one sense he was always surrounded by family because that’s how he made you feel, like you were family to him,” Biagi said. “He drew you in with his spirit.”
Both Lai and Biagi were contacted by the Poly Post but declined to comment further.
Manlapaz also worked as a park ranger for the city of Claremont.
A GoFundMe campaign was established by the city of Claremont in support of Manlapaz’s family. As of August 19, it raised $7,320. The campaign is complete and is no longer active.
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