Alejandra Abadilla

Alejandra Abadilla was born on May 27, 1927 in Olongapo City, Philippines. She was a homemaker and caretaker (including her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her friend's children). She was a character who had a great sense of humor that laughed at everyone’s jokes (and it seemed that she especially liked her grandson, Albert Abadilla's, inappropriate jokes). Her hearty laughter was full of liveliness and lit up the room. She gave great “smelly/sniffy” kisses (AKA Filipino kisses). She was a tiny woman, but surprisingly strong for her size and age. She was also very tenacious, strong-willed, outspoken and free-spirited (often speaking her mind freely).

During World War II when Japan invaded the Philippines, and out of curiosity from all the noise and commotion, Alejandra thought it was just fireworks. From her perspective, it sounded and looked like fireworks, to which she was wrong! In reality, they were Japanese bombs raining from the sky and the flying shrapnel from the impact of one of the exploding bombs caused injury to her on her upper right thigh. The American Red Cross came and provided care for her injury while her father searched all of the hospitals throughout Manila. Alejandra was a teenager experiencing hardship and how to survive the war, and this experience was a true testament to her ability to overcome and adapt to all of the obstacles in her life.

Because of Alejandra's natural beauty, she had many suitors who waited outside of her window to serenade and win her attention. Using her beauty as an asset, her auntie created a business plan to get Alejandra's suitors to purchase her auntie's Filipino desserts as a way to gain favor of courting Alejandra. One day, a man named Javier Abadilla noticed the hoopla of suitors that surrounded Alejandra’s home. He was captivated by her beauty and pursued for her favor without persevering. In turn, he won Alejandra's heart and became her husband. During their 44-years of marriage they had 9-children, however, 2-children passed away at a young age. Out of the 7 surviving children, they created 27-grandchildren, in turn their grandchildren produced 52-great grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren conceived2- great great grandchildren.

Alejandra later moved to the United States in 1979 when Javier was granted U.S. citizenship due to his military aid during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines. During this time Javier and Alejandra assisted in the transportation of weapons for the U.S. military. Fulfilling the American dream as immigrants, they moved to the United States and later traveled across the U.S. between Texas and California for their children and grandchildren.

To Alejandra's grandchildren, she was also known as Lola Anding or Grandma Anding. Notably, Carlene Abadilla Thomas (granddaughter) brought up a memory of Lola Anding: “I remember sleeping on the floor in the sala (living room) at their Grand Prairie home with all our cousins, and every morning wake up to Lola cooking tuyo (dried fish)". Arvin Abadilla remembers tweezing her white hairs at 5-cents each, and making enough to cover the cost of Skittles. He says, “We always laughed at her sniffing kisses where she would hug, kiss and smell our hair simultaneously…now I understand that her sense of smell was a way of remembering and identifying us”. Albert Abadilla shared her standout characteristics: “To me, she was the early inspiration to my corny jokes. She was a really good trash talker. She was a hard critic! It wasn’t because she was perfect or that she expected us to be perfect, but it was her way of making us want better for ourselves and for each other.” Daisy Reyes Teh (granddaughter), who also goes by Kleng, also remembers fond memories of Grandma Anding introducing her to 'The Price Is Right'. Daisy said, "Grandma would always tell me she was on that show and that she met Bob Barker and spun the wheel! I often came home from school watching 'The Price Is Right' and soap operas like 'As The World Turns' with her - it was our routine. She was always so much fun, she was witty, she was clever, and very funny. She was also a true entrepreneur through her garage sales and her home daycares - from setting up shop, marketing and the art of negotiation. Remembering her now that I'm all grown up --- Wow, she was an amazing woman who left a legacy. She was our friend and confidant. She will always hold a place in our hearts, we all love her so much!" Chanda Ilagan Aquipel Ajel (granddaughter), remembers Lola Anding saying, “Mana ka sa akin, hindi nahirapan manganak! (You’re just like me, that’s why we have a lot of children.) Also, I remember taking her to School (aka Casino and/or Bingo Hall) making sure she had perfect attendance. When taking to her doctor appointments, I’m her translator, which was difficult at times. Lola Anding, I love you so much and you always be missed.” Jholan Aquipel (grandson/caretaker/best friend}, “the one thing about my Mahal (love)/Loli is that she was a great dancer. She was so freaking cute when she would catch a beat. It didn’t matter what type of genre of music, Hip-hop, Reggae, 80s, or jingle. She could be laying down, then once she heard music playing, she bounce right up, shake her dinky hips and move her baby hands exactly to the beat. She dance like no other. I couldn’t dance to save my life but with her, I’d try my hardest to keep up because of all the fun she was having. The smile on her face was priceless. So I had no choice but to keep up because her laughs and smiles were so GENUINE. I continued to dance with her like a fool to keep her smiling and laughing because it gave me the opportunity to distract her from her confusion from the Alzheimers. I will forever Appreciate and Love You my MAHAL, My LOLI.”

As you can see, there are so many memories of Alejandra Abadilla that we can go on and on… She was a loving Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Daughter, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother who leaves a permanent mark on everyone’s heart and soul. We love and miss you Lola Anding. May you rest in peace with Lolo Abe (Javier).