Familia Abella

Members of the Abella Clan received a plaque of recognition from the city mayor, Michael Rama, during the Cebu City Charter celebration

The word "Abella" is said to originate from the word which means "bee". Traditionally, it is said that the family name originated in Italy then spread to Spain, France and in the Philippines. In 1565, three brothers of Sephardic origin came to Zzubu. They were bell makers by trade and eventually stayed on the islands.

The Abella family is one of the most ancient in Cebu, having been established in Cebu el Viejo (San Nicolas) prior to the November 21, 1849 Claveria Decree.

When Rajah Tupas fled Zzubu most of his extended family remained; even as late as the 18th century, they claimed a "casa de reserva", or exemption from "polos y servicios" for being former lords of Cebu and Iligan. One of the families mentioned in the Spanish records refer specifically to the Abellas of San Nicolas by name. In fact, one Maestra Apolonia Abella claimed such exemption from the Spanish Crown. She then wed Capitan Alfonso Jakosalem of Dumanjug and they begot Don Dionisio Jakosalem y Abella. (dela Calzada, 1950; Ang Kagubot sa Sugbo, 1898)

While Maestra Apolonia claimed the "casa de reserva" from the Spanish Crown, Rufo Abella joined Don Pantaleon Villegas alias Leon Kilat in opposing the sovereignty of Spain in our islands. He was one of Don Leon's tenientes during the bloody Palm Sunday of 1898, also known as the Battle of Tres de Abril.

The Abellas have a long and colored history in Cebu, from its rumored connection to Rajah Tupas, to its involvement in wars against Spain, America and the Japanese, down to its involvement in the Cebuano community and society.

The history of Cebu is intertwined with that of the Abellas. From Rufo Abella who fought with Leon Kilat in the battle against Spain, to World War II heroes such as Capt. Sofronio Abella and Pantaleon Abella. In public governance, the cabezas de barangay of Labangon: Alejandro Abella, Marcelo Abella, Honorato Abella, Asisclo Abella and Feliz Abella; city councilmen: Dominador Abella, Tomas Abella, Pablo Abella; in public service: Oscar Abella (RTC Judge/NLRC Commissioner), Felix Abella (Bureau of Lands), Hilario Abella (City Treasurer), Ricardo Abella (City Sheriff); Physicians in the private sector: Pablo Abella, Mimi Abella, Antonio Abella, Victoriano Abella,Jewel Ann Abella, Paul Abella; Lawyers in the active practice of law: Pedro T. Abella, Honorato Abella, Ricardo Abella, Iolanda Abella, Hanz Abella, Harve Abella; Engineers: Norvic Abella, Edmond Abella, Edgar Abella; Architects: Arsenio Abella and Francisco Abella; In education: Susifatro Abella (Dean UC-Nautical); media: Renato Abella; musics and the arts: Susana Abella (music professor), Adriano Abella (musician), Nilo Abella (choreographer) and Domicina Abella.

These are but a few f those who dedicate their knowledge and talents to the City of Cebu; a family as old as Cebu itself which continues to be proud of its rich heritage; a family which gave Cebu freedom fighters, men and women devoted to public service, excellence in their professions, love of community.

From it's mysterious and intriguing origins in Cebu el Viejo (San Nicolas) to the bright future f its younger generation, the Abellas of Cebu, as ancient as it is, is as dynamic as the City of Cebu itself. Forever moving forward with a deep sense of ride in its colored past.

*This was suppose is to be posted in Facebook, but I don't know where the engineers placed the note button.

Muji 2013 Planner

Because coffee shop planners are so mainstream, I asked my Father to buy me a Muji 2013 planner. ^_^

Yes, I am a (trying hard) hipster. 

PS: Those are Muji pens I bought from Hong Kong 

The Hot Sauce and Tequila Challenge

The prize I won after consuming a bottle of hot sauce and washing it down with tequila in less than a minute during our Christmas party.

Oh yeah, we won Pinoy Henyo, too!

Happy 9th Birthday Tatay Chavo

I hope the good Lord will bless you with more years and more swagger,
so we can cover more miles together.

I love you,  dog! 

Books to Read

I am not really a voracious reader. But when I am in the mood, I tend to hoard on some book titles. Most of the time, I am not fond of popular book titles unless I am intrigued by hype (Ahem "The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo"), or if my professor told me to do so.

This holiday season I have browsed and checked on my goodreads.com account to update the books that I will read, and here are the titles that piqued my interest.

I saw this book in the book stall in Hong Kong airport last July. For some strange reason, I hesitated in buying the book (Must be the price, HK$ 200). But since seeing the title, I was intrigued by it. I did a little research on it's author who was dubbed a the Japanese Stieg Larsson, and the book had a Japanese movie adaptation and a Korean drama (or was it the other way around?).

When I watched the Dream Team documentary, I felt it I was shortchanged. I felt there was something more to Michael, Larry, Magic, Chuck and their issues with Isaiah Thomas. To me the documentary didn't scratch the surface of other team members (Although Charles Barkley's significant contribution vs. Angola was highlighted.). So maybe this book would fill me in on what the documentary didn't show. This was already released in other countries, and is scheduled to be release in the Philippines in April 2013.

I read this book before when I was a kid. And for some strange reason, I forgot it! I must be so clumsy that The BFG story that is ingrained into my subconscious got deleted when I fell or banged my head. 

I bought this book already, but I decided not to finish it since I find Dan Brown to be predictable. But I swear, I have to finish this book.

DEAR CAPTAIN VERMAELEN and VICE CAPTAIN ARTETA

TV05 and Miki on my bedside dresser.

Please, please, tell all the players that we’re behind you! It’s a privilege & honor to play for Arsenal. Versus Swansea, you guys were lethargic, pathetic, jaded. Lead the lads to every battle with Arsenal’s motto in mind, ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’.

Herbert Chapman envisioned the club to be the greatest in the world, even us fans sing it loud and proud at home, away, and even in front of the telly or computer monitor. ‘We’re by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen… and it’s Arsenal, Arsenal FC!’ Funny that you guys had a performance that did not deserve such praise. 

 To the rest of the Arsenal first team, what say you? What say you? Are you worthy to wear the colors of Arsenal? Are you worthy to be even named in the first team? If so, tell me what makes you special that you deserve to be in the first team. so many Arsenal academy standouts are even shipped with hearts broken to other clubs since they were not deemed to be not good enough to crack into the first team. These lads who supported the club as kids could only dreamed about playing for the club they supported now. Yes, you may be technically gifted in Arsene’s standards, but do you have the heart to play for Arsenal? Are you just gonna sit around and play some football, collect hefty weekly wages than most of humanity can collect in their lifetime?

To the Arsenal young guns, do you have what it takes to be on the first team? You’ve got your chances in the cup games. Take your chances and grab it firmly with both hands. 

Back to the first team, you’ve got a a tricky CL fixture at Olympiakos. Sort yourselves out!


 Remember when you lost to Manchester United 8-2, the faithful Arsenal fans stayed on and sang this, ‘We love you Arsenal, we do! We love you Arsenal, we do! We love you Arsenal, we do… Arsenal we love you!’.

EDUARD SACAPAÑO TAKE A BOW SON

I was at the stands and watched the Philippines Men’s National team take on the Singapore Men’s National team in a friendly enroute to the AFF Suzuki Cup next week.

The Philippines won by 1-0 scoreline, but if it weren’t for Eduard Sacapano’s heroics, Singapore could have won.

I was fortunate enough that I actually captured the Singapore penalty he saved right before the first half ended. 

My London-based classmate and I clearly gave the MoTM award to him, and I am glad that the crowd recognized his efforts, that his name was chanted by everyone at the stands.

To Manong Ed, take a bow!