Top 100 Cebuano Personalities - Hilario Abellana

CEBU, Philippines — Hilario Abellana came from an old political family in Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City. He had served as Cebu municipal president in 1922 and representative of Cebu’s second district in 1934, 1935, and 1938.

Abellana won the gubernatorial election in 1940. However, on the eve of Japanese landings in April 10 of the same year, he left Cebu City and sought refuge in the Municipality of Badian, leaving Provincial Board Member Jose Leyson as the de facto governor.

In June 12, 1942, Abellana went back to his office as the governor of the province to look after the welfare of the civilians. He had to pretend cooperation with the Japanese while helping the guerillas behind their backs.

Eventually, Abellana had to escape with his family in different places, transferring from one place to another, while keeping in touch with the guerillas. In September 3, 1944, he was captured by the Japanese and was imprisoned in the Kempeitai headquarters in Cebu Normal School (now Cebu Normal University) building.

Abellana was executed by the Japanese Imperial Army on January 15, 1945.