I was born in Manila, Philippines, on June 8, 1935. World War II broke out when I was in Grade I at the Manuguit Elementary School, Tondo, Manila (now Jose Abad Santos Avenue). During the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines and of Manila where there was no schools, work and lack of food, we were lucky we evacuated to Novaliches, Bulacan, on invitation of Dad's kumpadre (godbrother), Rev. Clemente Zuniga, Sr. where decent rice and corn, fresh vegetables, meat, fish, chicken, carabao's (animal used in planting in the fields) milk, fresh air, cool breeze and potable water from a deep well. General Douglas MacArthur had promised to return. He did return with his American Liberation Forces, landing on the shores of Leyte, then liberating Manila from the Japanese Imperial Army. After the war I enrolled at the Lakan-Dula Elementary School, and after I was interviewed, I was accelerated to Grade 4, Section 1. When I was in Grade 6, I was chosen to participate in a Dr. Jose P. Rizal (the Philippines National Hero) Oratorical Contest. My teacher-coach explained Rizal's "The Song of the Traveller" ("Canto de Viajero" when title translated in Spanish) while teaching me the rudiments of good oration...I won First Prize! What an incredible, jubilant moment to a twelve-year old! After graduating from law and passing the bar, I practiced my profession, served the Academe, the Executive, Judicial and City Government. I have performed my service in Manila and Mindanao. A full scholarship in the Academy of American and International Law, Southwestern Legal Foundation. In the Summer of '82, brought me to Dallas, Texas.
