By Cyrus A. Natividad
Gonzales studied Kindergarten to College at CPU.
In his book “On Becoming a Leader”, Warren Bennis agrees that “leaders are made, not born, and made more by themselves than any external means.”
Rufino ‘Pinoy’ Legarda Gonzales II is the featured CPU Alumni Chapter President for the week. A true blue Centralian from kindergarten to College, Pinoy Gonzales made a name for himself in international media. A U.S. Correspondent for Bombo Radyo Philippines, Gonzales is also the Editor in Chief of Philippine News Service International. He is connected to different media outlets – local and international.
He leads correspondents covering different events and developments particularly in the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic; sending news and information to Bombo Radyo Philippines which is also linked up with radio stations, newspapers, and social media in his country.
Apart from his position as President of CPU Alumni Association of South Texas, USA and the Centralians in Mass Media (Special Alumni Chapter of CPUAAI) based in CPU, Jaro, Iloilo City, Gonzales is Chairman of the Rufino Gonzales Memorial Baptist Church in Lambunao, Iloilo; Consultant-Daewoo Engineering and Construction International Project at the Jalaur Mega Dam Project, Calinog, Iloilo. He is currently the President of Kennedy School of Practical Nursing and Review Center and Director of Harvestfields Christian School, Incorporated.
As President of the Centralians in Mass Media CMM, a CPUAAI Special Alumni Chapter, Gonzales was interviewed by weekly Centralian Link online on relevant issues. The following questions were asked:
Clink: As a media practitioner how would you promote your CPUAAI Special Alumni Chapter and the Centralian organization in general?
Pinoy: We lead CMM in promoting the different CPUAAI and CPUFOAA organizations worldwide, their projects, their leadership and membership achievements worldwide.
Clink: What activities/projects have you done with the Centralians in Mass Media in promoting CPU and CPUAAI?
Pinoy: We, the members of the Centralians in Mass Media have spread throughout our media connections, promoting CPU as one of the Best Universities in the World. That alone is the biggest achievement of Central Philippine University.
Clink: What is the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic to your Association and members?
Pinoy: During this Pandemic season, the CMM and the media mobility have been hampered, but this does not stop us from doing the job we love. We continue to do the best we can. The CMM leadership and members have come together to share whatever we have – to share essential food items during this time of need.
Clink: How do you perceive the current political developments in our country?
Pinoy: The Election season is just around the corner. It is heating up. This will be exciting for all media practitioners. The Philippines will be just fine, God willing.
Pinoy Gonzales finished his Kindergarten (1971), Elementary (1977) High School (1981), and college education (BS Agriculture Engineering in 1986 and his BS in Agriculture Major in Agronomy in 1987) from Central Philippine University. He finished his BS in Commerce Major in Banking and Finance at the University of San Agustin in 1989 and his MBA in 1991.
Pinoy Gonzales is the son of Dr. Alejandro B Gonzales and Digna L. Gonzales- both Centralians.
He is the Grandson of Rufino Gonzales, the First Mayor of Lambunao, Iloilo, and the First Filipino Professor of Central Philippine College. “He was hired by CPC President Dr. Stuart together with my Grandmother Simeona Buenconsejo Gonzales who taught Home Economics at the same time, Pinoy said.”
According to Pinoy, he still has their CPC contracts signed by then President Dr. Stuart in 1921 with a monthly salary of 120 pesos.
Pinoy Gonzales is happily married to Emilyn Galleon Gonzales with 3 children Matthew, Elise and Alexia.