By Ronnie Amey, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Are you a multitasker? Do you aspire to have a multitude of professions while secretly playing the violin or living a double life like Batman? Then Mr. Abanico might just be your superhero.
Photo by Tyler Senner (TSenner_Media)
Most students know Abanico as an educator here at Morau Catholic High School, but his list of leadership roles resembles one of a full group of people. Abanico is a youth ministry leader, a choir director, a music ministry director here at Moreau, moderator for the class of 2028 and the Filipino Student Association, International immersion coordinator, Social Justice coordinator, head volleyball coach for Moreau’s varsity girls’ and boys’ teams, as well as a coach for the LAKA’s club volleyball team.
However, even with his plentiful list of leadership roles, Abanico still finds time to explore his other talents. In his spare time, he is a musical talent, playing the violin for 20 years, directing choirs, singing at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Union City, playing guitar, performing with multiple Indigenous Filipino instruments, and participating asa member of a Bay Area Filipino cultural group called Kawayan Folk Arts.
“I started playing the violin when I was in seventh grade. So it was an opportunity for me to learn a little bit about music and also have an opportunity to just be a part of my school band. My mom wanted me to play an instrument, and I thought to myself, ‘Why not the violin?’ I actually started out with the cello, but it got too big for me to lug around.”
As he discussed his musical talents, he highlighted how it allows him to connect with his students and players.
“When they(students and players) find out that I do these things, it’s a conversation starter. But I also feel that, like sharing gifts and talents and passions, helps them also share gifts, talents, and passions, and then having a conversation around that and being able to say, like, look, I can be authentically myself and be in different spaces while still doing the things that I enjoy and love.”
If you’ve ever passed by A15 during passing period, you’ve probably heard music blasting at eight in the morning. Unsurprisingly, the impeccable playlist belongs to Abanico, shaped by the genres he feels most connected to.
“Anything acoustic and anything R&B. I feel like, especially with R&B, with the beats, that I’m able to kind of feel the music a lot more. I love singer-songwriter stuff because I feel that a lot of their lyrics are very internalized, and it’s like very rock at the same time. So I love lyrics. I love listening to what people have to write about and seeing how the flow of words connects to another to evoke another emotion.”
But Abanico’s life isn’t focused on music alone; as he is a devoted volleyball coach. His background as a volleyball coach began similarly to his background as a musician, from inspiration and encouragement from his mother.
“My mom played in the Philippines, and I felt called to it after I started playing a little bit, and I thought, why not continue my career, not necessarily playing, but being able to coach other people. I started getting more involved with youth ministry work and working with young folks, and I thought I could apart knowledge on individuals, especially with faith, maybe I could do the same with a sport like volleyball, and that’s kind of how I got interested in teaching as well.”
His calling quickly grew into a passion to work with and inspire these young athletes
“What I enjoy most is seeing their celebrations and their development. I want them to learn to be authentic and the best version of themselves beyond the sport.”
His commitment to leadership continues far beyond the court as he is deeply involved in his church community, and that work has shaped who he is today.
“I’ve been teaching confirmation and being a part of you to use the ministry program since 2008… I’ve done different ministries there, from teaching other adults and their faith journeys. To be a part of the festival committee. So I play a lot of different roles over there, but mainly within the Youth ministry program at that church.”
Such a time commitment must stem from a deep sense of motivation but where does his motivation come from?
“My mom influenced me to be the best person I can be for others, and that life would not be what it is if it weren’t for the people around us. So she has definitely influenced me to be a leader in that regard and to be able to serve others through what I do in my own leadership and skills.”
Another significant part of his life is social justice, something he didn’t stumble into by accident, but instead felt inspired to pursue early on by his High school Filipino heritage Studies class teacher.
“I was in an ethics studies class. Specifically, a Filipino Heritage Studies class, and the teacher was 24 years old and brand new to that course at that time. But he had a background in ethics studies, and he totally influenced me. He was like my big brother figure… he taught me everything I needed to know about social justice issues, getting involved civically, and with the community. So he really influenced my life in social justice work.”
Across all these roles: musician, coach, educator, leader. Abanico finds that everything ultimately connects, believing it’s all about presence.
“In the ways that I’m working through music athletics, teaching, music, I feel like it’s just being present in the lives of the individuals that I work with… music has been a key in moving people in terms of justice work, so if music is an avenue to help people understand social injustices. Why not produce music that way? Or even in a way to rally up students. I feel like with coaching, it’s the same way. I feel like the influences that they get in younger years would help them with their decision making, but also in how they move forward with it as well.“
Balancing all of this, Abanico admits that it takes a lot of energy, but he credits his ability to handle it all to coffee and the young folks that he works with, who helped him thrive.
“I don’t know how, to be honest with you, I don’t know how to explain it, but I find I feel like it’s my young folks around me and the community that backs me up, that allows me to do the things that I need to do with them.”
Although Mr. Abanico may not actually be Batman, the way he leads, inspires, and shows up for his community is truly heroic, and his ability to do it all is a talent in itself.
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