Carl Abella
CARL ABELLA
The Determined Leader With Humble Beginnings
Carl Abella, the determined businessman community leader with humble beginnings, sees every opportunity as a blessing for something better. Never losing hope since he landed in the U.S. A., he worked his way through to the top swearing to himself that “he will never go hungry again”. Being orphaned at a young age of 12, he learned the difficulties in life, living on the streets on his own in a tough delinquent neighborhood for at least 5 years, staying at houses of families who had offered housing for free and adopted him like a family member. Among them were the Dela Rosas (Pol), the Pinnachios, and the Cacanindins (Alfredo) . But it was Alfredo Cacanindin who motivated him to change and be a useful citizen of the world. At the age of 19 with help from friends and Alfredo Cacanindin,
Carl Abella migrated to the U.S. with only $ 10.00 in his pocket. He took every odd job available during the day and study in the evening to achieve his dreams. His hopes, ambitious goals and visions led him new heights. His unfaltering persistence and perseverance opened avenues for him to build friendship and develop his leadership and public relation skills.
When he graduated from the George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree of business and public management, he sent photos right away to friends in the Philippines and none of them hardly believe that he indeed finished his studies. For Carl, that was the greatest moment in his life for he valued education more than anything else then. He continued onto higher studies with a Master’s degree in Business management. Carl started his professional career with the Yellow Pages and thereafter, he transferred to Amtrak and finally, as a comptroller to the U.S. Travel Agency. After learning the rudiments as well as the strategies of the trade, he decided to put up his own travel business cum real estate 32 years ago. He was the first Filipino member of the Amadeus Travel Advisory Board, a travel reservation system for the big worldwide Amadeus company, owned by a consortium of various airline companies.
Being a President-Owner of Alpha Travel Service allowed Carl to showcase the Philippines through different programs of the Philippine Embassy and Philippine Tourism. He takes pride in being instrumental in implementing the annual Ambassador’ s Tour, of bringing balikbayans to the Philippines and for them to see the Philippines as an investment potential and retirement haven.
Having reached a comfort zone in his life, he wanted to share his blessings with people in need. He became an active community leader in various charitable activities reaching out to somany people. One of them was the Samahang Pinagbuklod sa Amerika (SPA) which he co-founded with other like-minded individuals. It was envisioned as an umbrella organization to organize forums to discuss issues or possible areas of cooperation where the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community can work together to help “kababayans” in need including the undocumented ones. He was also involved with Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC) for several years, having chaired two Philippine Festivals. Not stopping there, he also became a devoted and energetic supporter of Feed the Hungry, Inc and other organizations that bolster the needy and the oppressed in the Philippines. He has been joining several medical missions to the Philippines and other charitable events both in his native country and his adopted home, the U.S. and this earned him PAFC’s Dakila Award. He also was given recognition by the Sunflower Development Institute as the “Man of the Year”.
Being an entrepreneur placed him in a favorable circumstance of helping people find jobs and obtain honest and proficient services. He had also hosted a local TV talk show years ago focusing on community service and events. On his free time, he would play pool (which he mastered during his street children days) with friends and participate at various pool tournaments. In fact, his team recently qualified for the championship round in the American Pool Association Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With his great sense of humor, dancing skills and sincere sympathy for the needy, he won the hearts of many including women who were simply captivated with his natural charm. But modesty aside, he has been a popular figure in the community for having helped many people achieve their American dreams. Being also naturally articulate, Carl would be emceeing various community events including church-based functions.
In 2006, he collaborated with the founders of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), a highly acclaimed non- governmental organization in the U.S. capital region, to help Filipinos in need in various aspects (legal/immigration, health, cultural, networking, socio-economic integration, public information dissemination and non-formal education skills). He amplifies MHC’s mission and vision for addressing the concerns of many Filipino immigrants like himself as one of MHC’s Executive Board of Partner Advisers and Envoy for Unity and Service.
Other organizations’ involvement of Carl Abella are as follows: Former Chairman of The Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce DC Chapter ; Current Officer at The Fil-Am Ministry of St. Michael the Archangel’s Church in Silver Spring MD; Current Officer of The Order of The Knights of Columbus at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Silver Spring ,Md; Current President of The Progressive Alliance of Filipino-Americans (PAFAI); and the incoming Vice President of The Ilocano Society of America, Inc.
Carl Abella is blessed with 4 children Eric, Jenny, Donny and Kara. He is now married to Jeannette Calahong, a nurse by profession and also an active community member.
Filipino Image Magazine: Twenty Outstanding Filipinos
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2010 Outstanding Filipinos Abroad – FELIX A. AGRAAN – Waipahu, Hawaii
International Bamboo Organ Festival
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