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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/ponciano-bernardo.avif" alt="Ponciano A. Bernardo" loading="lazy"/>
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(Ponciano A. Bernardo)
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Bernardo completed his primary and secondary education in Cabanatuan City, where he demonstrated academic promise. 
He enrolled at the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1188/today-in-philippine-history-june-18-1908-the-university-of-the-philippines-was-established" class="news_link">University of the Philippines</a> to study civil engineering and earned his degree in 1927, laying the foundation for a career that would blend technical expertise with public leadership.
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Career in Public Works and Early Political Roles
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After graduating, Bernardo joined the Bureau of Public Works (now the Department of Public Works and Highways). His early career was marked by significant contributions to infrastructure development. In 1929, he was appointed assistant provincial engineer in Tayabas (now Quezon Province), the home province of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1265/today-in-philippine-history-august-19-1878-manuel-quezon-was-born-in-baler-aurora" class="news_link">Manuel L. Quezon</a>, who would later become the President of the Philippines. This role allowed Bernardo to work closely with influential figures and gain experience in public administration.
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Over the years, Bernardo held various provincial engineering posts in Baguio and Antique, showcasing his versatility and commitment to improving public infrastructure. His technical skills and leadership earned him recognition, culminating in his appointment in 1940 as vice-mayor and city engineer of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2989/the-historical-journey-of-quezon-city" class="news_link">Quezon City</a>, a newly established city envisioned as the future capital of the Philippines. This dual role highlighted his ability to bridge technical expertise with governance, setting the stage for his later political achievements.
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December 2, 1905: Ponciano Bernardo was born in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija