From a personal account of the late Raul M. Gonzalez:
In 1945, I took a refresher course and graduated from sixth grade and went on to high school. I studied on my own without the help of tutors. I was transferred to Panay College in the district of La Paz where Uncle Alfredo Gonzalez was the Academic Director. He was a respected scholar and had written books of philosophical essays called the Bamboo Flower and Call of the Heights and a translation of Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.” I finished my secondary studies there. I took my pre-law studies at one of the oldest academic institutions in the country, Iloilo City's Colegio San Agustin, which later became a University. I was a Rector’s scholar and edited the Varsitarian.
In my youth, I preferred intellectual pursuits rather than sports. But I also liked some socializing. I loved to dance the current dances. I learned how to move around in ballrooms and taught some of my Jalandoni cousins the intricacies of the waltz and the swing.
My father, Delfin, was a strong and compelling influence on my political orientation. He was active in the city’s political intramurals since the 1950’s. This was at the back of my mind when I decided to become a lawyer. There was no urging from my parents and it was solely my choice. I went toManila and enrolled at the University of Sto
Completing four years training as an Honor Star Medalist, I was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the reserve forces of the Philippine Military in April 1953 and was given the serial number 0-86095 INF. After taking the Bar exams, I topped the Judge Advocate General’s examination in the same year, but was disqualified because I was not yet a full-fledged lawyer. I could have become a Judge Advocate if I persisted. I was drawn to the military because it was the “in” thing in campus, and also because of the machismo, the pomp and pageantry attendant to its image. The military had a strong appeal to young men who looked forward to the discipline and adventure it promised.
When peace time came, I spent
my days wandering in the fields of my youth, finding pleasure in the sights and
sounds of the countryside. In fair
weather, I would traipse along the river banks and sometimes dive into the
waters in my clothes which caused me to lose several pairs of shoes. Whenever I got hungry, I would go to the carinderia and charge it to my mother
which always surprised her.
In 1945, I took a refresher course and graduated from sixth grade and went on to high school. I studied on my own without the help of tutors. I was transferred to Panay College in the district of La Paz where Uncle Alfredo Gonzalez was the Academic Director. He was a respected scholar and had written books of philosophical essays called the Bamboo Flower and Call of the Heights and a translation of Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.” I finished my secondary studies there. I took my pre-law studies at one of the oldest academic institutions in the country, Iloilo City's Colegio San Agustin, which later became a University. I was a Rector’s scholar and edited the Varsitarian.
In my youth, I preferred intellectual pursuits rather than sports. But I also liked some socializing. I loved to dance the current dances. I learned how to move around in ballrooms and taught some of my Jalandoni cousins the intricacies of the waltz and the swing.
My father, Delfin, was a strong and compelling influence on my political orientation. He was active in the city’s political intramurals since the 1950’s. This was at the back of my mind when I decided to become a lawyer. There was no urging from my parents and it was solely my choice. I went to
Completing four years training as an Honor Star Medalist, I was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the reserve forces of the Philippine Military in April 1953 and was given the serial number 0-86095 INF. After taking the Bar exams, I topped the Judge Advocate General’s examination in the same year, but was disqualified because I was not yet a full-fledged lawyer. I could have become a Judge Advocate if I persisted. I was drawn to the military because it was the “in” thing in campus, and also because of the machismo, the pomp and pageantry attendant to its image. The military had a strong appeal to young men who looked forward to the discipline and adventure it promised.
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