Fil-Am councilman elected as Mayor Pro Tem in Cerritos, California

Filipino-American councilman Mark E. Pulido was recently elected to serve as the Mayor Pro Tempore in Cerritos, California for 2013 to 2014.

Pulido, Cerritos resident for 38 years, was elected during the annual meeting of the Cerritos Council on March 13, an Asian Journal report said.

He said he was "humbled and honored" for the opportunity to give back to his hometown Cerritos.

Pulido made history in 2011 when he garnered the highest number of votes ever, based on city record.

A Mayor pro tempore will perform the duties of the mayor when the mayor is unavailable.

“I feel very fortunate and just want to give back for all of my blessings,â€Â the Asian Journal quoted Pulido, who said he is striving to become a role model for the youth.

Outstanding student

According to the City of Cerritos website, Pulido obtained his bachelor’s degree in History and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Pulido became the first Fil-Am to become the Student Body President of the UCLA in 1992.

While at UCLA, he volunteered as an after-school tutor and became director of a college peer-counseling program. He also worked as editor-in-chief of a UCLA newsmagazine.

He later received his Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Chicago as a Woodrow Wilson National Fellow.

Pulido and his wife Gloria have  a daughter and a son. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News