Oakland eatery’s holiday meal giveaway kept alive even after co-owner was shot dead

Homicide victim Artgel Jun Anabo and son, Kiah. Anabo began his restaurant’s Christmas food giveaway, which has continued after his death. CONTRIBUTED

OAKLAND, California – Free holidays meals were still distributed at an Oakland, California Filipino eatery months after its owner was fatally shot in front of his young son.

The popular Fruitvale District restaurant Lucky Three Seven went ahead with its annual Christmas distribution of free $15 meals to neighbors and other needy members of the community although loved ones are still mourning the death of the restaurant co-owner last May, CBS News reported.

The holiday tradition was Filipino co-owner Artgel “Jun” Anabo Jr.’s brainchild, to mark the season of sharing by giving back to his community. A masked gunman shot and killed Anabo Jr. in May near the restaurant in front of his 11-year-old son, Kiah. His killer is still at large.

A fellow restaurateur and friend of Anabo, Jose Ortiz, reportedly overheard him pleading with his attackers “to take it easy” before he was shot. Anabo was apparently trying to get his $15,000 back after realizing that he was sold a stolen truck.

Even as police are still trying to solve the case, Anabo’s cousin and Lucky Three Seven co-owner Mark Legaspi, vowed to carry on with Anabo’s legacy to “give back and make Oakland better.”

“It was actually (Jun’s) idea that started this thing. So I want to keep the tradition going,” explained Legaspi. He estimated that they served around 300 people this time.

Anabo opened the popular Filipino restaurant with Legaspi ten years ago and did the annual giveaway tradition every December 23, their late grandmother’s birthday.

“You’ve got to make money to survive, but we’re also here to help people as well,” Legaspi stressed. The cousins also gave out free backpacks for back-to-school events and threw block parties for the neighborhood.

Through the years, Lucky Three Seven eatery has built a loyal following and is best known for its spicy-sweet “G-fire wings” that patrons found very addicting.

 I want everyone not to forget my cousin’s name. That guy is a big part of me, a big part of this,” said Legaspi.

“Trying to shine that light on the good (things happening in) Oakland. And really, there’s a lot of good,” declared Legaspi.

Ortiz echoed Legaspi, saying,  “With what he has done for the people of this community, his memory would always be alive. He will always be with us. He helped bring the Filipino culture in this community through his Filipino dishes that were before nowhere to be found.”

Anabo’s girlfriend, Melinda Bun, said Anabo was her life partner and that they had a lot of plans together. “He is always about his family,” sobbed Bun. “I was waiting for a call for dinner but was instead stunned to be called out after he was shot lying on the ground where I stayed with him until the ambulance arrived.”