Mike Guingona
Encyclopedia
Michael P. Guingona also known as Mike Guingona, is a Filipino American
who currently serves as a Council Member for the city of Daly City, California
(pop. 104407). Previously, he had served as Mayor
of Daly City, but was succeeded by Carol L. Klatt. He is an attorney in private practice. He was first elected as a Daly City Council
member in 1993 and became the youngest mayor at age 33 in 1995. He has been elected City Council member three times.
Guingona is the first Filipino American
elected to the City Council of Daly City. The year 2005 marks his fourth term as Mayor of Daly City.
Guingona also hosts the TV shows Citizen Pinoy
and Pinagmulan
on The Filipino Channel
or TFC which shows on cable TV.
but moved to Daly City in 1965 at the age of 3. He grew up in Daly City and attended the Daly City Public Schools from K-12. He graduated from Westmoor High School
where, during his senior year, he was elected class president.
Guingona also dedicated much of his time in school to wrestling as well as football, track and swimming. He is currently an assistant wrestling coach at South San Francisco High School. He helps teach children judo at Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, CA, where his son Kai trains.
Guingona attended Skyline College
for two years where he continued wrestling before attending the University of California at Los Angeles where he earned a B.A. in History. When he returned to Daly City, he went to the University of San Francisco
Law School to pursue his Juris Doctor
. He received his law degree in 1989 and was admitted to the California Bar Association in the same year.
His original plan was to become a sports agent but Guingona soon turned his sights on criminal defense. A three-year unpaid internship allowed him to get his feet wet in that industry before he got his first job as an attorney with the public defenders office in San Francisco. He established his own private practice in 1999 in San Francisco specializing in criminal defence.
His successful campaign was viewed as a significant event in the Bay Area. He was the first Filipino American elected to the City Council of Daly City.
His colleagues in the City Council selected him to serve as Mayor in 1995. He was the youngest to serve as mayor of Daly City at age 33. During his first term, he continued to work as a full-time Deputy Public Defender in the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. He left the Public Defender’s Office in 1999 and established a private practice in San Francisco specializing in criminal defense. Guingona was elected to a second term as Mayor in 1997, a third in 2001, and a fourth term in 2005. In addition, when Guingona was not the Mayor in 2005, served as the vice mayor.
The number of people living within the Daly City city limits swelled from 40,000 to over 100,000 during Guingona's lifetime. By the year 2000, Filipino American
s accounted for nearly a third of the population.
In addition to his duties as a City Council member, Guingona has served his community as a member of the San Mateo County (SMC) Transit District Board of Directors, which he chaired in 2001 and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which he chaired in 2003. He was defeated for his fourth term in 2007. He is also actively involved with the Sister City Committee and was instrumental in initiating the Daly City-Quezon City
Sister City partnership.
, the Bar Association of San Francisco
, the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, and the California Public Defenders Association.
on The Filipino Channel
which was launched in 2005 in the U.S. and the Philippines. He hosted for four seasons.
Guingona also hosted the show Pinagmulan
on The Filipino Channel
. This was a reality-TV show that helps Filipino American
s connect with their family and friends back in the Philippines. “Pinagmulan” means “roots” in Tagalog. The show aired both in the United States and in the Philippines. The show lasted 14 episodes in 2006.
He married Jackie Castillejo in 2008 and lives in Daly City, CA.
His brother is David Guingona, a video journalist with KRON-TV in San Francisco.
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
who currently serves as a Council Member for the city of Daly City, California
Daly City, California
Daly City is the largest city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with a 2010 population of 101,123. Located immediately south of San Francisco, it is named in honor of businessman and landowner John Daly.-History:...
(pop. 104407). Previously, he had served as Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Daly City, but was succeeded by Carol L. Klatt. He is an attorney in private practice. He was first elected as a Daly City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
member in 1993 and became the youngest mayor at age 33 in 1995. He has been elected City Council member three times.
Guingona is the first Filipino American
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
elected to the City Council of Daly City. The year 2005 marks his fourth term as Mayor of Daly City.
Guingona also hosts the TV shows Citizen Pinoy
Citizen Pinoy
Citizen Pinoy airs every Sunday on The Filipino Channel . It is hosted by immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel and Filipino TV personality Gel Santos-Relos. The program specializes in helping the Filipino community deal with immigration problems from here in North America all the way back to...
and Pinagmulan
PINAGMULAN: The Journey Home
PINAGMULAN: The Journey Home was a reality television show that aired Sundays on TFC after TV Patrol.The program was canceled after the first season due to its inflating budget.-Premise:...
on The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...
or TFC which shows on cable TV.
Early life
Guingona was born in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
but moved to Daly City in 1965 at the age of 3. He grew up in Daly City and attended the Daly City Public Schools from K-12. He graduated from Westmoor High School
Westmoor High School
Westmoor High School is an American public high school in Daly City, California that serves grades 9 through 12 as part of the Jefferson Union High School District . It generally serves the residents of Daly City, Pacifica, and Colma. Westmoor High School was recently selected as a California...
where, during his senior year, he was elected class president.
Guingona also dedicated much of his time in school to wrestling as well as football, track and swimming. He is currently an assistant wrestling coach at South San Francisco High School. He helps teach children judo at Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, CA, where his son Kai trains.
Guingona attended Skyline College
Skyline College
Skyline College is a community college that is located in San Mateo County, California, within the limits of the city of San Bruno, California, south of San Francisco...
for two years where he continued wrestling before attending the University of California at Los Angeles where he earned a B.A. in History. When he returned to Daly City, he went to the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
Law School to pursue his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
. He received his law degree in 1989 and was admitted to the California Bar Association in the same year.
His original plan was to become a sports agent but Guingona soon turned his sights on criminal defense. A three-year unpaid internship allowed him to get his feet wet in that industry before he got his first job as an attorney with the public defenders office in San Francisco. He established his own private practice in 1999 in San Francisco specializing in criminal defence.
Political career
In the midst of his legal career, Guingona made the decision to run for office. His first attempt at running for office in 1992 when he came in 5th in a field of 12. In 1993, he won handily and has been fortunate enough to post wins in general elections in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006. Guingona was first elected to the council in 1993 and has since held the position of mayor four times.His successful campaign was viewed as a significant event in the Bay Area. He was the first Filipino American elected to the City Council of Daly City.
His colleagues in the City Council selected him to serve as Mayor in 1995. He was the youngest to serve as mayor of Daly City at age 33. During his first term, he continued to work as a full-time Deputy Public Defender in the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. He left the Public Defender’s Office in 1999 and established a private practice in San Francisco specializing in criminal defense. Guingona was elected to a second term as Mayor in 1997, a third in 2001, and a fourth term in 2005. In addition, when Guingona was not the Mayor in 2005, served as the vice mayor.
The number of people living within the Daly City city limits swelled from 40,000 to over 100,000 during Guingona's lifetime. By the year 2000, Filipino American
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
s accounted for nearly a third of the population.
In addition to his duties as a City Council member, Guingona has served his community as a member of the San Mateo County (SMC) Transit District Board of Directors, which he chaired in 2001 and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which he chaired in 2003. He was defeated for his fourth term in 2007. He is also actively involved with the Sister City Committee and was instrumental in initiating the Daly City-Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
Sister City partnership.
Professional affiliations
Guingona's professional affiliations include membership in the California Trial Lawyers Association, the State Bar of CaliforniaState Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
, the Bar Association of San Francisco
Bar Association of San Francisco
The Bar Association of San Francisco was established in 1872 as a nonprofit legal membership organization that provides San Francisco legal professionals with networking, educational and pro bono opportunities in order to better serve the community....
, the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, and the California Public Defenders Association.
Television shows
Guingona co-hosted the program Citizen PinoyCitizen Pinoy
Citizen Pinoy airs every Sunday on The Filipino Channel . It is hosted by immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel and Filipino TV personality Gel Santos-Relos. The program specializes in helping the Filipino community deal with immigration problems from here in North America all the way back to...
on The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...
which was launched in 2005 in the U.S. and the Philippines. He hosted for four seasons.
Guingona also hosted the show Pinagmulan
PINAGMULAN: The Journey Home
PINAGMULAN: The Journey Home was a reality television show that aired Sundays on TFC after TV Patrol.The program was canceled after the first season due to its inflating budget.-Premise:...
on The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...
. This was a reality-TV show that helps Filipino American
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
s connect with their family and friends back in the Philippines. “Pinagmulan” means “roots” in Tagalog. The show aired both in the United States and in the Philippines. The show lasted 14 episodes in 2006.
Personal life
He has an ten year old son named Kai who is active in judo and wrestling He coaches wrestling at South San Francisco High School and with Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, CA.He married Jackie Castillejo in 2008 and lives in Daly City, CA.
His brother is David Guingona, a video journalist with KRON-TV in San Francisco.
Additional readings
- Political Philosophy of Michael Guingona
- Official Statement of Michael Guingona
- Functions of the City Government and the City Council