This remarkable transition is a miracle of fortune, the working of divine providence no less. He is a modern political phenomenon in a country dominated by very few elite families.
During these times when almost everyone takes a beating from life, we need inspiration from someone who has triumphed over life's difficulties and has successfully hurdled many challenges. Take it from this man who simply refused to accept poverty as an obstacle to his dreams...Vice President Noli de Castro.
More popularly known as everyone’s “Kabayan”, Vice President De Castro was born during the post-war period in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
Kabayan was not fortunate to be born in the company of privilege and conveniences. Quite the opposite, he and his five siblings were raised solely by their mother. But this young Mindoreño had grand dreams, and his hardships were the force that molded his future.
At a young age, he worked to support his education and supplement the family income. "I diligently took the rounds in our barrio, gathering pig's fodder from our neighbors for my pig pet, which I would raise, in order to be sold later for a hefty sum," exclaimed Kabayan.
In Pola, life was so simple. This loving son learned to be contented with the little provisions from his mother. Inay Nene taught him early on not to aspire for luxury and to always keep in mind that happiness comes from having bare essentials in life, a loving family, food on the table, roof over their heads, and the faculty to dream.
Multi-awarded TV broadcaster, seasoned radioman, farmer, environmentalist, philanthropist, nationalist, politician. Kabayan has spent a good 27 of his 54 years as a media practitioner.
But Kabayan was a self-taught broadcaster. As a young Mindoreno, he spent most of his leisure time, under his favorite mango tree, and with mother nature as his audience, he would imitate his favorite radioman Johnny de Leon -- the booming baritone, the adlibs and the snide remarks on various political issues.
Kabayan got the brains. He was an overachiever in school, always inquisitive and hungry for knowledge. He finished his elementary education from Pola Central School and his high school from Pola Catholic High School. His mother’s business acumen inspired Kabayan to earn for himself a university diploma in Commerce, major in Banking and Finance from the University of the East. In 1976, he accompanied his Kuya to an audition for a slot as field reporter in a radio station. Instead, it was Kabayan’s voice which prevailed over the long queue of applicants. Since then, his life revolved around media and current affairs.
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