Fil-Am in US polls

There’s a US-born criminal defense lawyer of Filipino descent out to make history in the election for San Mateo County Supervisor, fifth district, in Northern California. He’s Mike Guingona, 53, and no Asian has ever aspired for the position so that if he wins, it will be one for the books.

Guingona was born in San Francisco and moved to Daly City when he was three. His parents are Joe Guingona and Connie Limjap, both Filipinos. Former Philippine vice president Teofisto Guingona is an uncle and Sen. TG Guingona a first cousin. His brother Dave, 58, is a free lance sportscaster in the Bay Area and was affiliated with KRON-TV of San Francisco for 25 years.

Guingona attended Skyline College and UCLA then earned his law degree at the University of San Francisco. His first trip to visit relatives in Manila was in 1964 and his last was in 2007. In 1993, he was elected one of five Daly City councilmen. Two years later, Guingona became the youngest Daly City Mayor ever. The five councilmen, who are voted to a four-year term, select a Mayor from among themselves.  Guingona has now served in the city council for 22 years and is a five-term Mayor.

Although an incumbent Daly City councilman, Guingona is bidding to expand his area of responsibility and his track record indicates he’s right for the job. The fifth district of San Mateo County has close to 59,000 voters from Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, Broadmoor and parts of San Bruno and South San Francisco. Daly City accounts for 66 percent of the voting population and more than 50 percent of its 110,000 residents are of Asian descent, primarily Filipino.

Guingona and another Daly City councilman David Canepa are in the four-way race for San Mateo County Supervisor. The others are Colma councilwoman Helen Fisicaro and Brisbane councilman Cliff Lentz. Of the four candidates, Guingona is the most experienced public servant. On June 7, a primary will be held to determine the top two vote-getters and on Nov. 8, the two highest placers face off to decide who will sit as San Mateo County Supervisor.

Guingona’s wife Jackie Castillejo is his No. 1 supporter and biggest fan. She helps out in his campaign and goes door-to-door to explain why her husband is the most qualified candidate for the position. Jackie is a dream-come-true for any candidate. She’s charming, convincing and credible. “I’m batting for Mike because of his experienced leadership and guided intelligence,” said Jackie whose sister Dyan is a popular ABS-CBN sports talk show host and news reporter. Jackie, Dyan and sisters Nina and Sarah played competitive tennis for years.

Jackie, who began competing as a swimmer before focusing on tennis, was an All-American at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and represented the Philippines in the Federation Cup, Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games. She also played in the juniors division at Wimbledon and the US Open. The Castillejo sisters were all offered tennis scholarships in US schools.

It’s no wonder that the Castillejos became sports stars. Their father Lino excelled in track, basketball and football. He played for the Philippine football team at the 1958 Asian Games then became team manager and an official of the national federation. Jackie’s great-grandfather Gil Fargas ruled Philippine tennis from 1913 to 1921, capturing four national singles titles and three Far East championships. Sports is clearly in the Castillejos’ blood.

From sports, Jackie got involved in acting, joining brother Chris who had a role in the movie “Apocalypse Now.” Jackie appeared in TV soap operas, movies and theater. Chris, who was a swimmer and played golf, passed away two years ago. Jackie’s mother Editha Fargas was a former beauty queen and remains a regal, statuesque figure.

Guingona himself is active in sports. He was on the Skyline wrestling team and is a silver certified coach by USA Wrestling, judo black belter and arnis sensei. Today, he is a volunteer coach with the San Francisco Elite Youth Wrestling Club and an assistant wrestling coach at the Archbishop Riordan Catholic High School in San Francisco. His son Kai is also involved in judo and wrestling.

“Service to the community is what Mike is all about,” said Jackie. “He’s a 2nd Lieutenant in the California State Military Reserve and is a board member of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, North County Fire Authority, San Mateo Operational Area Office of Emergency Services and the Peninsula Clean Energy. Mike used to be a board member of the San Mateo County Transit Authority, San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and Asian American Recovery Service.”

Guingona was the first and youngest Filipino-American ever elected to the Daly City Council and has paved the way for other Americans of Asian descent to be appointed and elected to various local government offices over his years of service. His campaign for San Mateo County Supervisor is anchored on keeping the family safe with fire and police as top priority; promoting community health; protecting seniors and at-risk youth; providing affordable housing for working families, seniors and veterans; increasing public transit availability and accessibility; championing water conservation, recycling and cleaner energy use and offering the highest level of public service with balanced budgets.

Guingona is making an impact as a candidate in the San Mateo County Supervisor polls. Let’s make history, he said in reaching out to the electorate.