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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/noli-de-castro.avif" alt="Noli de Castro" loading="lazy" />
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Noli de Castro, left, with former President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2446/today-in-philippine-history-april-5-1947-maria-gloria-macaraeg-macapagal-was-born-in-lubao-pampanga" class="news_link">Gloria Macapagal Arroyo</a> (in red dress)
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</figure>
<h2>
Early Life and Struggles
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<p>
Noli de Castro was the fifth child of Manuel de Castro Sr. and Demetria Leuterio. Growing up in modest circumstances, he faced significant challenges early on. At the age of ten, he lost his father, thrusting him into a role of responsibility to help support his mother and five siblings. To ease the family's financial burden, young Noli raised pigs and served as an altar boy in their local parish. These formative years instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep connection to the struggles of ordinary Filipinos.
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<p>
Despite economic hardships, de Castro prioritized education. He graduated from the University of the East in Manila in 1971 with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce, majoring in Banking and Finance. Later, he was honored with a doctorate degree <i>Honoris Causa</i> from the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3109/the-history-of-polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines" class="news_link">Polytechnic University of the Philippines</a>, recognizing his contributions to public service and media.
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July 6, 1949: Noli de Castro was born in Pola, Oriental Mindoro