Today, February 7, I turned 60. Thanks be to God that I reached this milestone in my life. As I reflect on my past, I can see the hand of God directing my paths and protecting me through it all.
Born in San Francisco Mabalacat, Pampanga, I entered the Mabalacat Elementary School (MES) when I was only 6 years old. I was taken in as ‘saling pusa’ (not officially a part), because I am underaged. At the end of the school year, I was at the top of my class, so I was promoted to second grade in spite of my age. I went on to finish elementary with honors.
I went to Holy Angel College (now University) for my high school education and made the big adjustment to city life. I learned my first lessons in leadership when I became CAT cadet officer. In college, I wanted to be an architect, but the program was not offered in HAU. I took up Civil Engineering instead, the closest course to Architecture. I was a working student in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and was a part-time artist in a t-shirt printing shop.
It was in my second year in college when the big change in my life happened. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and became a ‘born-again’ Christian. I remained a Catholic and joined the then growing charismatic renewal movement. Our group went around Pampanga and nearby provinces giving Life in the Spirit Seminars and leading prayer meetings. I am with this prayer group up to now.
Immediately after finishing college, I taught high school Physics in HAU while reviewing for my board exams which I passed. While teaching, a paper company named TIPCO broke ground in Mabalacat. I took the examination they conducted in HAU and I passed. I also hurdled the ensuing comprehensive exam in Makati. I resigned with a heavy heart from teaching and became part of the first batch of 20 management trainees of TIPCO.
My career in TIPCO took many twists and turns, being assigned to both admin and operations work. Since it was a start-up company, I was fortunate to have been part of setting up policies and work procedures. By the time I was 30, I was managing a department.
My assignment as head of a department that handles the procurement and processing of wastepaper started my journey as an environmentalist. I was tasked to go out and ‘preach’ the recycling ‘good news’ and deal directly with generators and traders of wastepaper. I gave hundreds of lectures and seminars on paper recycling to audiences all over the country.
I expanded my network and met many individuals and joined organizations in the environmental field. Some of my colleagues would rise to top government positions including Ms. Elizea “Bebet” Gozun, who became the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2002.
I was challenged to bring my environmental advocacy to the next level by starting a radio program and a newspaper column. I have no experience in these fields, but I took the challenge. My radio program is now on its 25th year and was nominated twice in the KBP Golden Dove Awards. I’ve been writing for 25 years, starting with Pampanga News and moving to this paper in 2004. I had a business column too in Central Luzon Businessweek. To enhance my knowledge in communication, I took up Master of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Open University and finished it in 2011.
The challenge did not stop. I was prodded to bring my advocacy to government service so I run for Councilor in my hometown Mabalacat. I failed my first try in 2007 but made it in 2010 and went on to finish my three-terms up to 2019. I authored the Mabalacat City Environmental Code which created the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and institutionalized the City’s environmental programs. I re-entered politics in 2022 and won.
My environmental work earned me the Most Outstanding Mabalaqueño Award for Ecology and Most Outstanding Alumni Award of HAU in 2003. The following year, I was conferred the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award for Engineering (Environment).
With a loving wife, three kids and a grandson, I could not ask for more. God is good. To Him be all glory and honor.