Janna Dominguez revealed that her late daughter Yzabel Ablan suggested a name for his baby brother who was born just hours before she passed away.
Yzabel died at the age of 20 years old, on the same day Janna gave birth to her newborn baby boy with partner Mickey Ablan named Michael Zab Leon Abalan III.
In an interview with PEP, Janna related how they came up with the name for their youngest child that holds a special meaning.
The Pepito Manaloto recalled having a conversation with her three all-girls children, Yzabel Micael, and Jullian about the name they wanted for their baby brother.
“Actually, before pa nun nag-usap kami ni Ate [Yzabel]. Sabi ko, ‘Anong gusto niyong name? Kasi gusto ko mag-contribute sila dahil first baby boy nga ng mga tatlong babae,” shared Janna.
“‘Gusto niyo ba may ‘Julliann’ katulad ng mga names niyo?’ Ayaw nila, so sige consider din na ganyan.’
“So, The Third na dahil si Mickey, Michael. Tapos nag-suggest siya [Yzabel], sabi niya, ‘Bakit ayaw mo ng Mikee, Mommy?’”
“M-I-K-E-E,” Janna continued, explaining that Yzabel used to be fondly called Mikee Yzabel when she was a child.
But Yzabel eventually brushed off the thought, saying her brother could become sickly like her.
“’Ay, hindi Mommy, huwag na lang. Kasi baka maging sakitin katulad ko,’ sabi niya. Tapos tinanggal nila yan nung bata sila.
Yzabel battled several illnesses such as lupus and moya moya disease . She died of sudden heart failure and lung infection. She also suffered asthma attacks before her passing.
“Tapos sabi ko, ‘Anak, bakit mo sasabihin? Sige, gusto mo ba Mikee? Sige Mikee natin yan.”
Janna, meanwhile, fancied naming their son Leon. “Parang sa Godfather kasi favorite nga namin ni Mickey si Michael Corleone [Al Pacino] dun,” she explained.
“‘Ayan Mommy, maganda, Leon,” Janna quoted Yzabel as saying.
“Tapos, from there, yan na, naging Michael Leon na siya.
Up to the last second, Janna and Mickey decided to add “Zan” to the combination of their first son’s name.
“Tapos, si Mickey nung bago ako lumabas, bumulong siya sa ano, kay Ate Zab,” furthered Janna.
“Sabi ni Mickey, ‘Mommy, dagdagan natin ng Zab. Parang Yzabel’.
“So, Michael Zab Leon siya ngayon, The Third. Kaya, ayun, at least may part ng ano si Yzabel,” she added.
Yzabel was laid to rest on Thursday in Angeles, Pampanga.
