The patriarch of the Abonitalla Clan in Misamis Oriental – Juan Jabonitalla was a settler in barangay Kauswagan in the early 1800’s formerly called Barrio Balahutao. He was married to Feliza Salcedo. The married couple both came from Ilocos Sur in the municipalities of Santiago and Candon, up until now the surname Jabonitalla thrive in these towns all the way to La Union, Isabela, and Nueva Ecija.

Juan Jabonitalla and Feliza Salcedo bore fruit to five (5) children namely, Ignacio, Faustino, Miguel, Leoncia, and Bonifacio. For unknown reasons, the Jabonitalla surname was gradually changed to Abonitalla when the family proliferated in Misamis Oriental.