A Public School Teacher, Zaldy Bueno, 37 years old from Quezon weas hailed as Cebuana Lhuilliers's 4th Happiest Pinoy. This is the biennial search of Cebuanan Lhuiller for the Happiest Pinoy which honors and celebrates the Filipinos' innate "optimism, resilience, and hope amidst different life crises."
Zaldy bested nine other finalists from different categories, winning one million cash and a trophy. The awarding ceremony was held at New World Makati where executives of Cebuana Lhuiller, winners and realtives, guests, members of the press, bloggers, and other personalities present. Zaldy's reaction when he was announced as the winner was priceless, full of emotion, and very much grateful.
The board of juges composed of Usec. Zenaida Maglaya, Gang Badoy Capati, James Deakin, RJ Ledesma, Love Anover-Lianko, Jonathan Yabut, Winston Maximo, Rommel Arellano, and Richardson Navor chose Bueno unanimously by virtue of his advocacy to see more children's lives change through education. Zaldy volunteered as an ALS teacher and taught on weekends he even had his mother as his student at one point and helped her finish her secondary education.
The project turned out huge with so many people donating new and used bicycle units from all over the Philipines even getting doantions from jOFWs abroad. This project drastically increased attendance for students at school for which their school received a perfect attendance award.
According to Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier, "I am very happy with the results of this year's search -- with over 800,000 entries received through our branches, online, SMS, and walk-in entries. It's been amazing to read the entries of the 10 finalists and Zaldy proves to be a worthy winner as his tale will definitely inspire countless people to push on despite life's difficulties, Zaldy exemplifies the commendable Filipino spirit of rising up from your current predicament and using that as fuel to make a difference in the lives of others."
Currently, Bueno serves as the head teacher of the English department at the Gumaca National High School. As a kid, their family would often encounter financial difficulties, Zaldy would help his mom wash clothes for their neighbours and would get his daily allowance from selling vegetables he planted to augment the family income. Zaldy vowed to work hard and study hard in order to improve their life.
A turning point in Zaldy's life was when typhoon Rosing hit in 1995 which completely obliterated their house, and they were forced to stay at the barangay health center. During clinic days, Zaldy and his family had to move their things on the street to accommodate the influx of patients.
After graduating secodnary school, Zaldy tried to get a college education but had to stop schooling due to fianncial cosntraints. In order to get back to school, he had to work two jobs, including stints at a tile store and as a sales agent for a local radio station. He finished college a would be 4-year coruse in 6 years.
Bueno is the fourth winner of the biennial search following Richardson Navor (2015), Romel Arellano (2012), and Winston Maxino (2009).
When asked what Bueno will do with the prize moeny, he shared that he will use it to further improve Prject PADYAK by acquiring more bike units which more students can use to get to school. He also shared that he will use a part of it to bring his parents to Singapore for a well-deserved vacation.
Breaking its own record, the Cebuana Lhuillier search received over 800,000 nominations this year, the most entries it has recived in its ten-year history.
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