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

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PAFAI Officers
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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 so
many 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.