By Cynthia De Castro
MARCH 7, 2008
Asianjournal.com
Man for All Seasons
ALL-American educator Henry Brooks Mark met his wife, Gloria Perlas, at
Adams once said, “A teacher affects Whitney High where they became high
eternity; he can never tell where his school sweethearts. They attended
influence stops.” This golden nugget of college together at UCLA and were
wisdom is at the core of FilAm educator married in 1969. That same year, they
Mark Pulido’s vocation. went home to visit the Philippines.
Currently serving his second four-year They now have a six-year old daughter,
term as the president of the ABC Unified Malia.
School District Board of Education, Mark Pulido’s consistent outstanding
Pulido is a super achiever and perfect performance has earned him many
role model in his community. He is also honors and awards such as the UCLA
the District Director of the 27th District Chancellor’s Marshall Award, The
under State Senator Alan Lowenthal of Ninoy Aquino Award 1993, Woodrow
California. Wilson National Fellowship 1994,
Pulido made history when he was Congressional Asian Pacific American
first elected as president of the board Caucus Institute Fellowship 1996,
in 2001. He was the first to run without Filipinas Magazine Award for Youth
opposition in the district. He was re- Leadership 1998, Los Angeles County
elected overwhelmingly four years later Democratic Party Man of the Year 2002,
in 2005. ABC Unified School District has and the Los Angeles New Millennium
around 20,000 students in 30 schools
Mark has been heavily involved in
Lions Club — Citizen of the Year 2006.
and countless children and extended-
Filipino associations through the years.
Mark lives with an attitude of gratitude
day care centers in the cities of Artesia,
He founded the Club Kaibigan while he
and reciprocity. He believes that he has
Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, as well as
was in Whitney High School. In college,
been the recipient of so many blessings
portions of Lakewood, Long Beach, and
he was a past president of the UCLA
from the community and it’s time that
Norwalk.
Samahang Pilipino. Mark volunteered for
he gives back.
A second generation FilAm, Mark’s
many organizations and social service
I have been living in Cerritos for the
parents migrated from the Philippines
agencies in the Historic Filipino Town
last 35 years. I want to give back directly
in 1952. His dad, Rudy Angeles Pulido,
area of downtown Los Angeles before
to the community that gave us so
came from Naic, Cavite together with
it had that historical designation. He
much. And I believe that the best way
his family to join Mark’s grandfather
tutored Filipino American students
for me to serve is in education. I have
who served the US Navy in 1927 until
at Virgil Junior High School, Belmont
worked directly with youth most of my
his retirement. Mark’s mother, Ester
High School and Marshall High
life, the ranging from sports coach to
Lagmay, also migrated in 1952 since
School through his involvement with
college recruiter and academic tutor to
her father joined the US Army.
an organization called PREP and in
career mentor. All my adult life, I have
Mark has aslo been a high achiever.
partnership with SIPA. And while taking
fought for the youth, education and our
Born and raised in California, he was
his master’s, he was an active member
community.
never content with just being on the
of the University of Chicago Samahan.
“I am so very honored and humbled
sidelines. He was very active in school
Pulido was the founding National
to have been given this important
serving as UCLA Student Body President
Youth Chair of the National Federation
responsibility to lead, serve and
where he earned his Bachelor’s degree
of Filipino American Associations and
work hard to provide the best public
in History and Asian American Studies.
is a lifetime member of the Philippine
education possible for our students in
He also worked as an after-school tutor,
Society of South East Los Angeles –
this district. From the bottom of my
college recruiter, and established a
PHILSELA. He also did his part in helping
heart, I thank the community for this
peer-counseling program. From college,
WWII veterans through volunteer and
opportunity to continue serving the
Mark went on to get a Master of Public
advocacy efforts with Filipino Civil
children, families and residents of ABC,”
Policy degree from The University of
Rights Advocates and FASGI. Mark
Pulido stated.
Chicago.
served on the Board of Directors of the
They say every job is a self-portrait of
“My parents taught me early on to
Filipino American Heritage Institute,
the person who did it. Truly, Mark Pulido
value family, hard work and education,”
which operates the Filipino American
has autographed his work with excellence.
said Mark.
Library.
(AJ)
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