125 Years of Family Serving Family – Luz Abilar, Nellis Air Force Base
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 125 years of family serving family.
Luz Abilar estimates her family has provided at least 175 years of service to the Exchange. But, during her 40-year career, she’s the only one who can claim a crown.
“From 1977 to 1981, the Philippines Area Exchange organized a pageant for associates. Different facilities were represented—commodity shops, main stores, food, automotive and services,” she said. “I was chosen to represent the main store. It was very similar to a traditional beauty pageant with things like a talent portion and gown presentation.”
Luz Abilar is proud of her long career at the Nellis Exchange—and even prouder of her family’s contributions.
Abilar, who is now a computer operator at the Nellis Air Force Base Exchange, was crowned Ms. PHAX in 1981 after her store manager at the Clark Air Base Exchange encouraged her to participate. She was the last to hold that title before the pageant was discontinued.
“It’s just one of those things about working for the Exchange that I will never forget,” she said.
Abilar is proud of her long career at the Exchange—and even prouder of her family’s contributions.
Currently, one sister, Grace Cabigting, brother-in-law Rey Cabigting and her youngest brother, Modesto Crisologo, work at Nellis and have a collective 79 years of history at the Exchange. Rey and Grace work in Softlines and her brother is courier.
Another sister, Lourdes De Los Reyes, was an Exchange associate for 12 years and last worked at the Travis Air Force Base Exchange. Her brother-in-law, Angelito Avila, retired from Clark Air Base after a 20-year career.
In addition, two nephews and a daughter also have worked for the Exchange.
Abilar’s oldest brother, Gil, started working for the Exchange at Clark Air Force Base in 1965 as an engineer and devoted more than 40 years of his life to the Exchange. In 1980, he assisted Luz in applying to the U.S. as a local national when an opening for a sales clerk became available.
“Having a strong family connection at work makes it feel as if I’m not really at work at all,” she said. “It feels like home. I know I can rely on so many for guidance and support.”
That support was evident in 2000 when Abilar was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“As a survivor, I could not have asked for more support and would not have made it this far without my Exchange family by my side,” she said. “We have the privilege of serving those who have and currently are still serving our country. It is a great honor to be a part of this organization.”
Facebook-friendly version: Luz Abilar is part of a family that has given about 175 years of collective service to the Exchange. The Nellis AFB computer operator says the Exchange has been a welcome constant in her life.
