Perla Adolfo Abellana

PERLA ADOLFO-ABELLANA LIVES ON……IN THE PRESENT TENSE

When Anne asked Rocky to write something about Tita Perla, and Rocky in turn asked me, at first I was hesitant, as I don’t like writing these type of messages. But the more I thought about it, I realized it would be so easy to put into words, who Tita Perla is and how she affected all of us who knew her, and that is why Tita Perla is everyone’s favorite. Here are just a few stories that will always stay in my heart.
Ageless –
The life of any party!  Tita Perla can get along with anyone and everyone of all ages.  At  Dad Ric  and Mom  Delia’s wedding anniversary in Bacolod, she proved this best.  During the mass and reception she was the well behaved gracious host.  Knowing almost everyone in the party, and those she didn’t she would approach and start a conversation. Immediate friends, te conversation usually led to them being connected in some way, or that they knew common people.  Her contagious laughter was heard too, and of course her camera was busy snapping away photo’s.  After the affair, all of us “adults” were tired and decided to call it a night.  Not Tita Perla she joined the young ones in one of the hotel rooms and joined them in drinking, singing and dancing till the wee hours.  Of course she was the big hit, and to prove it,we still have the video of her laughing and dancing with the good looking young guy, Inigo, from Spain!
Generous and Kind-I had a chance to see this first hand when Tita Perla joined Wash and me in the Cebu celebration of Sinulog just January of this year.  When we would go around the city, just walking along, she would buy a t-shirt from almost every vendor.  I knew she was not buying for herself cause she bought a lot of shirts and all different sizes.  I was wondering why she wouldn’t just buy from one vendor so she can get a volume discount, but her answer to  me when I asked was, “para lahat may benta!” so it was about them and not her.  Later that afternoon, I decided to stay in the hotel to get some work done.  Since Shiela had lent us a car and driver, I told Tita Perla she should just take advantage and visit friends.  She did leave, and came back after 4 hours saying she had visited Ethel’s family.  What she didn’t tell me, which is what Shiela’s driver told me later was that “Mam Perla went to the bakery and bought a lot of bread”, he went on to say “they roamed the streets of Cebu and she would give the bread to all the homeless people who were just standing around, and would even wake the people who were sleeping on the road so she could give them bread to eat!”.   In  Ormoc as well, TIta Perla is known for buying from all the vendors who come to the house, just so they don’t have to carry so much in their baskets which must be heavy, she would say.  She would end up with a lot of fish and other things at home, which she would then give away as well.That is Tita Perla a real generous and kind soul.
Thoughtful-
Tita Perla is a very thoughtful person, whenever she would arrive from a trip or just having been away for a while, she had something for everyone.  Centrum for my Parents, Viagra for the young men (haha), and for me assorted Santa decors as she knew I collected them.  I can’t imagine how she had the time to remember everyone.  Househelp and Drivers, always had a souvenir when she would arrive.  Even now that she is gone, she mentioned having sent a balik bayan box, which I am sure is filled with assorted items for all who crossed her path.
Friendly-
Tita Perla as we all know is very independent. She would travel all around  by herself,  mastering the public transportation system no matter where she was.  As a result she has seen many parts of the world  visiting relatives and friends.  I think the reason why she had so many friends, is that by nature she was a very friendly person.  Like when we were in the Sinulog, Wash and I were watching the festivities from a hotel balcony with Tita Perla.  There was a couple next to us and very quickly Tita Perla started a conversation with them, only to find out they were distant relatives from Ormoc.  During that trip, Tita Perla also met up with Sancho from SGV and his friend Elaine, who accompanied us for the procession.  Obviously much younger then both Tita Perla and Myself, but Tita Perla got along so well with them and at the end of the procession she insisted to treat us all at Jollibee.  Yes, despite her condition, she walked thought the streets of Cebu and was able to keep up with us, so we never realized she may already have been sick.  A month later, to the surprise of Sancho, Tita Perla dropped by SGV with suman and biningka.  Sancho introduced her to Cha and Odil, and they were so happy to meet her and enjoyed merienda together.  They became instant best friends, keeping in touch.
Selfless-
As you can see with all the stories above, Tita Perla was truly selfless thus able to be generous, kind, thoughtful and forever friendly.  Even while critically ill, she was able to request for daily mass, novena’s to be said, in her list she put in order, Mass for Tita Lily, Dad, Tita Meldy, Tita Fe and last on the list for herself.  Truly an amazing selfless woman who always put others ahead of herself.Tita Perla is truly an amazing woman and we are all blessed to know her.  You might be wondering why I speak of Tita Perla in the present tense when she has already departed from our earth, it is because  she made such a strong impact while she was with us, her memory will always live on.  Tita Perla, I know you will continue to watch over us and this bring happiness to heaven, where you truly belong. We will always love you. Take care!
Love,
Ric & Delia Roqueza,Wash, Anna, Trixie, Jovie Roqueza,Rocky, Homer, Hocky, Hanna Flores
WRITTEN BY: ANNA MUNOZ ROQUEZA  (WIFE OF WASH ROQUEZA – NEPHEW OF PERLA ADOLFO-ABELLANA)


PERLA ADOLFO-ABELLANA, 80

FORMER ORMOC AND UNITED STATES RESIDENT, PERLA ADOLFO ABELLANA DIED MAY  8 , 2014 AT 2:30 AM IN OCALA, FLORIDA.

PERLA WAS BORN JANUARY 1, 1934 IN ORMOC CITY TO FELIPE AND FRANCISCA ADOLFO.  SHE MARRIED GEORGE ABELLANA IN LAS VEGAS.

IT’S STILL VERY HARD TO BELIEVE YOU’RE GONE.  WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF OUR LIVES.  OUR TRIPS ABROAD HAVE BECOME VERY MEMORABLE BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS TOOK GOOD CARE OF US.

OUR CHRISTMASES AND NEW YEARS WHICH IS YOUR BIRTHDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU TO SPEND IT WITH.

TITA PERLA WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDED IT.  THIS EXEMPLIFIES HER SELFLESSNESS.

HER GENEROSITY AND KIND HEART WERE AN INSPIRATION TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.

SHE LIVED HER LIFE WITH LAUGHTER AND “PICTURE PICTURE”.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HAPPY NOW WHERE YOU ARE.  YOU GAVE EVERYTHING YOU HAD AND MORE TO MAKE US ALL AS HAPPY AS POSSIBLE AND NOW IT IS FINALLY YOUR TURN.  YOUR LOVE IS FOREVER APPRECIATED AND VALUED MORE THAN YOU MAY EVER KNOW.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KINDNESS.
THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS THINKING OF EVERYONE ELSE BEFORE YOU EVEN THOUGHT OF YOURSELF.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR LIVES MORE SPECIAL THAN THEY EVER COULD HAVE BEEN WITHOUT YOU.

YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY EVERYONE.

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, TITA PERLA.

WRITTEN BY:  ROCKY FLORES (NIECE OF PERLA ADOLFO-ABELLANA)