I love success stories, especially if they are of people I know. In our 3 year old high school groupmail, where there are currently 107 members (give and take a few double accounts), we recently reunited with a fun batchmate named Cecilio Abad, who I better remember as just Abad. With his hilarious humor he added spark to the group's site which had, before his arrival been reduced to forwarded emails.
               
A sample of Cecilio's work of art. As a young girl I have dreamt of having my wedding reception in our farm, that's why the image struck a chord. Breathtaking photography isn't it? Photo taken by another hometown talent, my sister's batchmate Engr. Jake Cortes.

Through his messages and from other members I then learned that he was now a successful Manila based couturier. This was a surprise to me (and a guess to a lot of our batchmates too) since back in high school he never showed an inkling of interest for drawing, fashion or the arts. If there was something he was known for, it was that famous split he performed at one of our Homeroom subject during a dance number. It wasn't something that I personally witnessed but just got wind of through word of mouth. Proof that it was indeed, er, famous.

My hazy recollection of him (after all it has been 20 plus years and there were 250 plus students in our batch) was his bubbly personality and his prominent mole. I had to ask him what got him started on this job and his account was just riveting. Here are excerpts of his messages (rough english translation mine):

"...Pero kong sa technology sa panahi ako na nakat-unan sa ako boss niadto Ben Faralles (one of the pillar of phil. fashion),...Syempre ang bayoot nag maid of honor didto (katabang) tagaylo sa akong mahibal-an... Diva winner kaayo....".
About my skills as a seamstress, I learned this from my former boss Ben Farrales (a pillar of Philippines fashion)... but of course I started as a "maid-of-honor" (maid) with them... A winner of a story don't you think?

"So mao to,dako pud kug pasalamat sa SPC ug sa CCF oi kay kong dili atong eskwelahana ug NGO wa jud koy ing ani nga trabaho ron....Siguro journalist ko (trabaho sa katubhan) o di kaha trabahador sa pier...hahahahaha....Dili kaayo ni detalyado kay kapoy ug type...heheheheee anha na kong modato ko puhon....heheheheheeee ambisyosa jud oi."
So with that told, this is why I am very grateful to SPC (our catholic high school alma mater) and CCF (Christian Children's Fund) because if not for this school and NGO (non-government organization) I won't have this kind of work. Maybe a "journalist" (tongue in cheek for "hurnal" in our dialect/cane cutters) or a porter in the pier. I know this isn't very detailed but it's kind of tiring to type all this...maybe when I get rich someday...

"actually wa jud ko makagraduate sa SPC kay pag ka 4th year nato nibalhin na kug Ipil kay nahadlok intawon ko nga pag graduation ba since ang mga girls naka gala gown unya ang mga lalake kay naka tie man...ako intawon gihuna huna nga basi way ikapalit ako nanay ni ana..hehehehe....usahay man gud diba ang ato allowance sa CCF kuwang man gud..Diba...unya ang nanay nako kay labandera ra man ila kay noy Peping Aviles..so mao to mibalhin kug Ipil......Kay usahay kuwang pa man gani pamugas ang iya kita...."
Actually I didn't graduate from SPC because I transfered to a public school in Ipil during 4th year high school because I was concerned that since the graduation attire would be gala uniforms for girls and ties for the guys (along with white long sleeve shirts and brown pants), I thought to myself that my mother won't have money to buy for this requirement... since sometimes the allowance that we get from CCF are not enough. My mom just works as a laundry woman for one family...so this is the reason why I moved to another school...because there are even days that what money she made won't even be enough to buy rice.

For a photo of C. Abad and more of his story go to this page.You may also visit Cecilio's website for his collections of work and contact information.

Just about a week ago Abad shared the happy news of him being in the Top 10 Wedding Supplier list at W@W (Weddings At Work) I just knew his inspiring story had to be shared. Kudos Cecil!

Currently listening to: Rob Thomas' Street Corner Symphony
Currently reading: Our Babies, Ourselves (Meredith Small)
Currently watching: The Pianist (Adrien Brody)