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Ponciano A. Bernardo was born in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. His father is a son of Pandi, Bulacan Province who migrated to Nueva Ecija as well as his cousin of Papaya, Nueva Ecija whose two sisters were left behind in Pandi, Bulacan as well as the rest of the family and their cousins whose sons and grandson became mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan -, Balagtas, Bulacan -, Pandi, Bulacan - Atty. Jose Espina Bernardo and Mamerto Carpio Bernardo, 'The Father of Pandi, Bulacan', and Angat, Bulacan - .
He finished his primary and secondary education in Cabanatuan City, and entered the University of the Philippines as a civil engineering student. He graduated in 1927, and joined the Bureau of Public Works - Department of Public Works and Highways. In 1929, he was named as an assistant provincial engineer of Tayabas, the home province of Manuel L. Quezon, who would become President in 1935. Bernardo also held various provincial posts as a government engineer in Baguio City and Antique. In 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as vice-mayor and city engineer of the newly-established Quezon City.
On December 24, 1946, Bernardo was appointed mayor of Quezon City by President Sergio Osmeña. He was sworn into office on January 1, 1947. During his tenure, in 1948, that Quezon City became the capital of the Philippines in lieu of Manila.
Under Bernardo's leadership, a city police force - Philippine National Police was constituted and a new city hall was constructed in Cubao. Funds were also allocated for the construction of a park later named 'Bernardo Park', a market in Galas, and a public high school.
On April 28, 1949, Bernardo, along with former First Lady Aurora Quezon and several others, were killed in an ambush in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. They were en route to President Quezon's hometown of Baler to dedicate a hospital in memory of the late President.
An elementary school and a high school in Quezon City have been named in memory of Ponciano A. Bernardo - Ponciano Bernardo High School, Cubao, Quezon City and Ponciano Bernardo Park.
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