“We wish to condole with the family of Abner Arela, who passed away October 1 at Vachira Hospital Phuket, due to brain stroke,” the ACTION-Association of Concerned Filipinos in Thailand Facebook group announced in a post online.
“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn for the death of our kababayan (countryman),” the group also posted. “Rest in eternal peace Abner...” they said.
“Abner was a seasoned musician, a humble man, a good friend, a religious person and a responsible family man,” the group added.
Vigil and prayers for Mr Arela began yesterday and continue today (Oct 4) at Our Lady of Assumption Church on Soi Taling Chan in Phuket Town. (See map below.)
A special mass will be held at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct 5), after which a service for his burial will be held at the hallowed cemetery behind Darasamuth School.
Mr Arela is survived by his wife Cely and son Ranel, who is renowned in Phuket as a jazz drummer who often performed at the home of Phuket jazz, the Music Matters bar in Phuket Town.
The Phuket jazz community last week rallied for donations for life-saving medication after consulting with an Italian brain surgeon and to assist Mr Arela’s family with rising medical bills. (See story here.)