BACOLOR, Pampanga – Conferred with a doctor of humanities honoris causa degree on Friday at the 148-year-old school here, Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales recounted his past to trace his successes in life.
In his speech, Gonzales expressed gratitude to the late Pampanga Gov. Bren Guiao who was then close to him.
“He was both a mentor and second father,” said Gonzales, who named his only son before the former two-term governor.
Gonzales also mentioned Sen. Loren Legarda and former Sen. Juan Flavier as the public officials who supported his political career when he was elected board member in 2004.
A graduate of civil engineering at the Mapua Institute (MI) in 1984, the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT) led by its president, Dr. Enrique Baking, gave for the first time in the school’s history a honorary conferment.
“I am happy for this rare opportunity of being the first to be conferred by DHVCAT,” said Gonzales.
The Anao, Mexico town-born solon described DHVCAT as his “partner” in pushing for quality free education in his district. Of late, he has 2,450 college scholars, 4,380 high school scholars, 730 elementary scholars and 204 private education support fund assistance.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Nona Ricafort graced the occasion as the guest of honor and speaker. She also led the bestowment of the degree to Gonzales.
Ricafort, in his speech, said “no wonder Gonzales is successful because he prepares lot.” She also praised Gonzales for helping the national government provide education to the poor families.
Ricafort said Gonzales is an “outstanding management expert who does not have the word ‘loss’ in his vocabulary because he believes that anything and everything can be an opportunity as exemplified in his ladder of success.”
Others who graced the event were Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang, Arayat Mayor Chito Espino, Sta. Ana Mayor Rommel Concepcion, Bacolor Vice Mayor Diman Datu and Second District Board Member Edna David.
In his speech, Gonzales expressed gratitude to the late Pampanga Gov. Bren Guiao who was then close to him.
“He was both a mentor and second father,” said Gonzales, who named his only son before the former two-term governor.
Gonzales also mentioned Sen. Loren Legarda and former Sen. Juan Flavier as the public officials who supported his political career when he was elected board member in 2004.
A graduate of civil engineering at the Mapua Institute (MI) in 1984, the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT) led by its president, Dr. Enrique Baking, gave for the first time in the school’s history a honorary conferment.
“I am happy for this rare opportunity of being the first to be conferred by DHVCAT,” said Gonzales.
The Anao, Mexico town-born solon described DHVCAT as his “partner” in pushing for quality free education in his district. Of late, he has 2,450 college scholars, 4,380 high school scholars, 730 elementary scholars and 204 private education support fund assistance.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Nona Ricafort graced the occasion as the guest of honor and speaker. She also led the bestowment of the degree to Gonzales.
Ricafort, in his speech, said “no wonder Gonzales is successful because he prepares lot.” She also praised Gonzales for helping the national government provide education to the poor families.
Ricafort said Gonzales is an “outstanding management expert who does not have the word ‘loss’ in his vocabulary because he believes that anything and everything can be an opportunity as exemplified in his ladder of success.”
Others who graced the event were Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang, Arayat Mayor Chito Espino, Sta. Ana Mayor Rommel Concepcion, Bacolor Vice Mayor Diman Datu and Second District Board Member Edna David.
