20th Commanding General, PAF
19 April 1991- 08 August 1992
LT GEN LOVEN C ABADIA AFP was born in Talisay, Cebu on 08 August 1936.
Having graduated with honors from both elementary and high school, he was able to get a college scholarship in Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. While on his first semester in college, he passed the PMA entrance exams and joined the Cadet Corps AFP and graduated in 1960. Upon graduation he joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and graduated No.2 from the Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) in 1962.
He went on a very short stint as PAF Flying School flight instructor and joined the 5th Fighter Wing in Basa Air Base. He graduated No.1 from the Jet Qualification Course and eventually qualified in the T-33, F-86D and the F-5 rising to the top of the flying profession as Squadron Commander of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron and Team Leader of the PAF’ Blue Diamonds in 1974 and 1975.
General Abadia is a distinguished graduate of the Squadron Officers Course at Air Force Officer School. He completed the General Staff Course at Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He also graduated from the USAF IPIS in Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He was taking up his M.A. Economics in Ateneo University when he was recalled to the service to command the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron when the Moro National Liberation Front rebellion broke out in Mindanao.
He held significant positions such as Commandant of the PAF Flying School; Deputy Wing Commander, 560th Composite Tactical Wing; Wing Commander of the 205th Helicopter Wing; and finally as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force on 19 April 1991 to 08 August 1992 where he attained the honor to be the first 3-star Chief of the Air Force.
General Abadia has been conferred with numerous awards and decorations for both staff and combat duties such as the Distinguished Conduct Star, Gold Cross Medal, Distinguished Service Star, Distinguished Aviation Cross, Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer), among others. He is the first Peemayer to receive the Cavalier Award twice, one in 1975 for Combat and another one in 1991 for Command and Administration. The Philippine Air Force Flying School Alumni Association likewise bestowed him the highest award, the Golden Aviator Award for Command and Leadership.
He played decisive roles in both the 1987 and 1989 coup d’états on the side of the government. He opened all billets of the PAF to women. He changed the PAF uniform from the old khaki to Air Force blue. He has flown trainers, helicopters, and fighters from various Air Forces such as the U.S.A., Australia, U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Israel, Thailand and Singapore.
Lieutenant General Abadia is married to the former Jenny Lind Bantequi of Iloilo whom he has three children namely Jemila Marie, Lindsley and Lee Carlo.