ZALDY BUENO is Cebuana Lhuillier's Happiest Pinoy for 2019

Zaldy Bueno, a 37-year old teacher from Gumaca, Quezon was hailed as the 4th Happiest Pinoy, winning Cebuana Lhuillier’s Search 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 board of judges composed of Usec. Zenaida Maglaya, Gang Badoy Capati,  James Deakin, RJ Ledesma, Love Anover-Lianko, Jonathan Yabut,  Winston Maxino, 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. Zaldy also co-founded project PADYAK in 2017, PADYAK stands for Pidal Apakan Dunong Yayaman, Asenso’y Kakamtan, which aims to provide bicycle units for students who could not afford to travel to school.

The project turned out huge with so many people donating new and used bicycle units from all over the Philippines even getting donations from OFWs abroad. This project drastically increased attendance for students at school for which their school received a perfect attendance award.

“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.” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier. 

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 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 secondary school, Zaldy tried to get a college education but had to stop schooling due to financial constraints. In order to get back to school, he had to work two jobs, including stints at a tile store and as an advertiser scout for a local radio station. He finished college after 6 years. 

Zaldy Bueno's winning and memorable moment during the Happiest Pinoy awards night

Zaldy faced too many challenges to get his college degree. From dropping out of school twice to work, working back-breaking jobs to being a student assistant. All for his dream to make his family's life better. It took him six years to finish his four-year course in college. after graduating, life was still a bit unkind to Zaldy, teaching practice was still expensive but he remained optimistic. Zaldy 2ushed on, passed the licensure exam and became a full-fledged reacher. He realized his advocacy was to help students who are going through the same challenges he once did. He got a scholarship from Singapore and delivered the valedictory address at the Regional Language Centre. He volunteered to be an ALS teacher and taught during weekends, his mom even became his student! 

Zaldy Bueno with his family, RJ Ledesma and Cebuana Lhuillier key officials

Zaldy also co-founded project PADYAK which stands for Pidal Apakan Dunong Yayaman, Asenso'y Kakamtan, a project that aims to provide bicycles to students who do not have the means to get to school to prevent absenteeism. This effort elicited widespread support from Filipinos around the globe, politicians, and local community members alike. The initiative was also replicated by nearby municipalities in his province. 

For his accomplishments, Zaldy has already won countless awards. He won the Ulirang Guro ng CAIABARZON award and was declared the national champion for ALS Learning Facilitators for Development of Basic Literacy Learning Materials. He was also awarded by the Civil Service Commission as a 2017 Outstanding Government Employee. These among others are some of the awards that Zaldy reaped for his dedication to make education attainable for the youth. 

Bueno is the fourth winner of the biennial search following Richardson Navor (2015), Rommel Arellano (2012), and Winston Maxino (2009). 

When asked what Bueno will do with the prize money, he shared that he will use it to further improve Project PADYAK by acquiring more bike units which more youths 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 received in its ten-year history.