Born in Jaro, Iloilo on 13 July 1911 to Alejandro Gonzalez and Lutgarda Hofileña, Gonzalez began studying kali, specifically redonda stick fighting, when he was 14.

Born in Jaro, Iloilo on 13 July 1911 to Alejandro Gonzalez and Lutgarda Hofileña, Gonzalez began studying kali, specifically redonda stick fighting, when he was 14.