At 80 years old, Salvador “Buddy” Deauna still shakes his head in disbelief when people call him Councilman. After nine years serving the people of Bergenfield, New Jersey, he admits he never imagined life would lead him here.
“When people ask me how I got into politics, I always say it was totally unexpected,” Buddy shared in an interview with The FilAm.
“I had no experience and never imagined myself in public office.”
A Farmer’s Son with Big Dreams
Buddy grew up in Paracale, Camarines Norte, raised by humble parents — a farmer father and a homemaker mother. As the eldest of 16 siblings, he carried the weight of responsibility early on.
“Life was simple and hard,” he recalled. “But my parents taught us two things — discipline and faith.”
He worked his way up in the Philippines, first as a collector for the British-run Smith, Bell & Co., and later as a salesman of Land Rovers and heavy equipment.
“I was ambitious,” he said with a proud smile. “I loved sales.”
It was also during those years that he met Marcela “Cely” Tabuzo, a secretary at the same company.
“It was love at first sight,” he admitted shyly. “I couldn’t even hold her hand.”
After four years of courtship, they married in 1972, beginning a lifelong partnership that would see them through both joy and heartbreak.
A New Life in America
In 1985, Buddy and Cely moved to the United States with their four young children. Though life in the Philippines had been comfortable, they wanted a new start — a chance to chase bigger dreams.
“Armed with hope, we took a chance on the land of milk and honey,” he said. “We were lucky — Cely’s family was already in Manhattan, so we never felt alone.”
Buddy’s first job in America was as a room boy in a New York hotel.
“I was never choosy,” he said proudly. “Work is work.”
He later sold electronics at Trader Horn on 14th Street, rising quickly from salesman to manager. But the long commute to Jersey City became too much, and soon, the family settled in Bergenfield, where they would build their new life.
A Heartbreaking Loss
In 1993, tragedy struck. Their youngest son, Joshua, only 12 years old, was killed in a bicycle accident.
“He was with friends crossing the railroad tracks,” Buddy whispered. “That loss devastated our family. It changed me completely.”
For two years, he couldn’t bring himself to work.
“I was totally depressed. I didn’t want to see anyone. I told my wife, ‘Just give me time… I’ll recover.’”
Eventually, with Cely’s gentle encouragement, Buddy found the strength to move again. He began selling airline tickets for a friend’s travel agency — a small step that slowly led to healing.
In 1994, he opened his own business — Asian Pacific Travel — which would thrive for nearly 30 years.
“That business became my lifeline,” he said. “We sold tickets, organized pilgrimages, and led tours to Europe and the Holy Land. A salesman will always be a salesman.”
The Accidental Politician
Through his travel business, Buddy became well-known in the Bergenfield community. He joined church groups, civic organizations, and the Lions Club. Eventually, he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce.
During election seasons, both Democrats and Republicans came knocking.
“They’d visit, ask for support. I helped by putting up lawn signs — tulong lang,” he laughed. “Then one day, they asked me to run. I said yes. And to my surprise — I won!”
That was 2016. He’s since been re-elected three times, serving proudly as councilman and working alongside Mayor Arvin Amatorio’s team to improve Bergenfield’s infrastructure and community spaces.
“We built the new municipal building, repaired roads and sidewalks, and renovated our parks,” he said. “We even developed the Veterans Memorial Park near Teaneck. Families now have safe, beautiful places to gather. That’s what matters to me.”
Public Service from the Heart
For Buddy, politics has never been about power. It’s about community and compassion.
“Public service is not about politics,” he said. “It’s about helping people and improving lives.”
This November, he’s running for his fourth term, hoping to continue what he started. But above all, he wants to cherish the time he has with his family — his wife, children, and growing number of grandchildren.
“We’ve been blessed,” he said warmly. “Two granddaughters are nurses, one is a Business Studies graduate, a grandson is studying computer science, another is training to be a doctor, and our youngest granddaughter is still in elementary school.”
Every year, Buddy returns to the Philippines — but his heart remains in Bergenfield.
“This is where we built our life,” he said softly. “I came here with nothing but a dream. Now, I serve the community that gave my family a home.”
A Life of Purpose
In the twilight of his years, Buddy looks back not as a politician — but as a farmer’s son, a salesman, a father who endured loss, and a man who kept giving back.
“I worked hard, raised a family, built a business,” he reflected. “Politics was never part of the plan — but maybe it was part of God’s plan for me.”
