previously work as an OFW with more than 20 years experience in Human Resources and Administration and would like to extend his experience in public service. This is my story and my new journey began on Oct 2, 2021, when I filed my certificate of candidacy for Municipal Councilor (Sangguniang Bayan {SB} Member). I am Celdo “Pangga” Gonzales, a former overseas Filipino worker who had established a
documentation company in Qatar, UAE, Oman, Manila, and Construction company in Tarragona Davao Oriental. During this difficult time of the Covid Pandemic, I returned to Baganga, which is my hometown to extend my helping hand and offer public service to my fellow Bagangeñous. I can say that in my life journey, I am proud to inspire younger and millennial generations to pursue their dreams. “Poverty is not a hindrance to success” is a very common phrase that was told by the old ones but has a greater impact on someone’s life, and I am one of them. My mother is Cecilia Leslie Aguado, who took care of 6 children in the family. She is a very focused loving mother and housewife. My father Rolando, is a hardworking rice farmer who stand and defended our needs. I could say that we live our life at the poorest, in terms of standards in living, without regular meals on the table. I started my elementary education in Dapnan Elementary school and finished grade 2. We transferred to Barangay Lambajon and pursue my studies in Lambajon Central Elementary School and graduated as an honor student. Since our parents is not making enough money to send us to school, I wasn’t able to enroll in high school immediately, I have to wait on the following year where I was accepted in Maryknoll high school as a scholar and working student and only finish my 3rd year in high school. I chase my dreams to finish and pursue my studies and decided to go after my eldest sister working in Manila as a housemaid. This way our parents will lessen the burden to our family needs and can focus on my siblings. Risking and living far from our parents is one of the hardest decisions that I ever did at a very young age. With my determination to complete my studies, I enrolled in Raja Soliman High School in Binondo Manila while making use of my time as a working student. I do a part-time job as a factory worker in Valenzuela City, catering services, SM Department store, SM cinema, Wendy’s food chain, and more to mention just to sustain my studies. I had an opportunity to take Philippine Educational Placement Test or known as the PEPT exam that is designed for learners in special circumstances (I am over the age in my case). Today it is called ALS as the new system. In college, I enrolled in Saint. Jude College Manila and completed Bachelors of Science in Business Administration major in Management. After graduation, I started hunting jobs from a various company in metro manila and were accepted in metro bank and mercury drugs on a short period (6 months temporary jobs). With the difficulties getting permanent jobs locally, I dream once more to go and work abroad and was given the opportunity to work in Taiwan as a factory worker, then to Dubai UAE, Bahrain and got lucky enough to be employed in Qatar oil and gas sector and was also able to establish a company later on as mention above. Spending most of our time abroad with my beautiful wife Zuzette San Pedro Gonzales, we were married in 2004 and raised together our 3 lovely children Karl, Jior and Mayassa. Who then inspires me to pursue my dream to make a better education system and build a better place for families. In Qatar, I hosted the entourage of then Governor and now Congresswoman Hon. Cora Malanyaon for the inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan into UNESCO world heritage site in 2014 and become close to her from there onwards. I made my biography public not to boost and gain sympathy but rather to serve as an inspiration to my fellow Bagangeñous especially the millennial generation that there is always hope and sunshine after the storm. Now, as I am anchored in my home in Lambajon, I can impart my skills and experience to be a public servant if given a chance. On October 2, 2021, I filed my certificate of candidacy for Municipal Councilor (SB Member) in the incoming May 9, 2022, national and local election. My purpose is to pursue the establishment of a state university campus in Baganga and will sponsor scholarships with personal support to the student of the poorest family to finish their education, I was once deprived of the opportunity to complete my education so I wanted to represent and prioritize our younger generation their rights of good, decent and convenient education. I am also into support on the continuation of infra development to our farmers, the farms to market road and other facilities, I will surely support the improvement of our medical facilities which I could see the lucking of good healthcare facilities in this municipality. Lastly, to fully support our booming tourism industry (to mention the long process of business permits and etc.) that will create and provide local jobs and small businesses. I would like to give praise to our Father in heaven for all the blessings, For my good health and of my Family. CongW Cora Malanyaon, Deputy Gov. pepot Lara, Hon. Moding Layupan. PMG team, My wife and kids, My Voltes 5 friends, mga kalumunan ko mga taga Baganga specially taga Lambajon, Friends na wa mamention. Salamatay kamayo! I hope everyone will remain calm and safe in these trying times as we continue to face this pandemic. We all be blessed with God’s grace & guidance. AMPING KANUNAY MGA PANGGA!!!
