By Cyrus A. Natividad

Atty. Gualberto Cataluña, Jr. is currently a law partner of Jalbuna, Cataluña and Nuñez Law Offices, the biggest law firm in Iloilo City. He is also an active member of Calvario Evangelical Church in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Gualberto V. Cataluña, Jr., finished his Bachelor of Laws in 1988 at Central Philippine University, where he also graduated his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1984. He was a High School Valedictorian of Janiuay National School in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Fondly called “Onyok” by his family and friends, he was trained to become a leader by his father, who was also a respected leader in his hometown.

Cataluña was elected President of the CPUR in 1983. Before that, he was Senate President of the CPU Republic in its infancy after the dictatorial Marcos government restored student governments nationwide. Before this, the CPU Republic hibernated for ten years until it was revived in 1982. Now, CPUR continues as a democratic student government of Central Philippine University.

Cataluña was employed as a legal researcher in the Regional Trial Court of Mambusao, Capiz before passing the Bar exams in the same year. He became a promising lawyer and eventually worked in Marbel (formerly Coronadal South Cotabato) in Mindanao as a partner in a law office with mostly Ilonggo lawyers.  Cataluña took off with a career based on his intellectual, social, and political background. His father, Dr. Gualberto Cataluña Sr. was number one municipal councilor of Janiuay, Iloilo and his Uncle Petre Cataluña was once a Mayor of the municipality.

Cataluña married the former Corazon “Hearty” Braña. Their son, Christian Gilbert Cataluña would later follow his father’s footsteps – as he was elected CPUR President in 2005.

As life would have its period of pains, difficulties and struggles, Atty. Gualberto V. Cataluña would have his day in court on a celebrated case where he was one of the accused. He was incarcerated for many years in Mindanao.

“Being convicted as a lawyer even strengthened my belief that it was the will of God,” said Cataluña who was given the privilege to have a few minutes to talk with his friends in Iloilo City, when the ship that would transport him to Manila docked at the Iloilo Pier. His total jail term was 14 years.

While at the maximum security compound of the Muntinlupa Prisons, Cataluña met several inmates who were big names in crimes and drugs syndicates. “But the one who gave me strength inside the penitentiary was God who sustained me throughout my sentence. I met God, who made me strong and gave me hope to carry on living in the Bilibid. I renewed my faith. During that long period in Muntinlupa, I read the Bible every day. It inspired me, giving me strength each day.” Cataluña recalled.

Now a free man who has returned to his legal profession, Atty. Cataluña promises to serve the Lord, through the Calvario Evangelical Church in Janiuay Iloilo. “I am stronger with the Lord wherever I am,” the grateful Attorney added. As the Bible says in Colossians 1:11, “May you be made strong with all the strengths, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience.”

Cataluña is now a law  partner of Jalbuna, Cataluña and Nuñez Law Offices, the biggest law firm in Iloilo City.