Águedo Gonzaga

An Athletic man and used to play baseball. Also had an ear for music being fond of playing the mandolin and the banjo and was a good dancer too. Much later in life, he would frequent the different night spots in Manila, particularly in Sta. Ana where he would dance till the wee hours of the morning. Little wonder then, why his heirs are good singers and fantastic dancers!

He started his political carrier from the classroom of Bago Elementary School. Having finished his schooling fourth or seventh grade, he became a public school teacher. It was at this time that he met Lola Agueda at a family gathering. Being first cousins, Lolo Juan was, at first, opposed to their relationship. However, later on, he relented and the couple finally got married on July 21, 1913.

Lolo Aguedo's fame as a politician stood out as Negros was on its formative years. As a politician leader and campaign manager, he was unequalled. He had one very noble characteristic: he befriended those who hate him. He was never vindictive - he always had an open arm for all irregardless of political affiliations. Most Negrense politicians from Provincial Board Members to Congressman, Senators and even Presidents Quezon and Roxas owed, to some extent, their electoral triumphs to Lolo Aguedo.

Cornejo’s Commonwealth Directory of the Philippines (1939), by Miguel Cornejo (p. 1756)