On a personal level, Moralde has always given back to the community. Since college, he has been a part of many profit-free organizations helping the hungry, homeless and ill-afflicted. Organizations that he has been involved in range from the St. Vincent de Paul Society to AIDS Project Los Angeles, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, DARE-Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and SU2C. Moralde says that not only was it beneficial to work in a rewarding environment, but his experiences also allowed his communication skills to flourish through being an activist. And that’s one of the top areas that Moralde excels in: communicating.
“Ever since I was in high school, I’ve always been the communicator. I wrote for the 35th largest newspaper in the country, was an on-air disc jockey, joined the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, provided tours around Arizona State University, hosted my own show called Behind the Scenes on television and then became an on-air reporter for Burbank Magazine,” says Moralde.
His love for communicating also led to awards.
During his time as a Communications major at Arizona State University, Moralde not only served as his college president, but participated in speech competitively.
“The days that I competed in college were some of the best memories of my life to date, ” says Moralde. Apparently, Moralde made more than memories during his competitive days on the ASU speech team. His skills in public speaking and acting have garnered him top acclaim, advancing to every final round of every national tournament. In his senior year alone, he had six first place awards, three second place awards, seven third place awards and ten finalist awards. He is also a national champion honored by Phi Rho Pi.
All this , and Moralde was a student on the Dean’s List, receiving top honors academically.
Evidently, Moralde is a hard worker, seldom stopping to take a breath.
“I’ve done everything from tutoring college students to traveling to Italy, Germany, Spain, Jamaica, Mexico and Greece! I feel like the luckiest guy alive, ” says Moralde. “I have been to places and done things most ‘normal’ people don’t get a chance to do. I’ve ridden elephants and horses, climbed to the top of Empire State Building, visited the Philippines, enjoyed clam chowder in Seattle and created art through painting. At times, I feel very complete.”
It seems that Moralde has always been on the quest to experience life and be “complete”- and this is not different from his teenage years.
“I’ve always been the type of individual to try many things and commit myself to doing the best that I can,” says Moralde, who was very involved early on in high school. Attending Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Moralde was extremely involved. “I was voted ‘Mr. Outgoing’ of my high school class,” says Moralde who was elected as the editor of the school newspaper, the president of the Quill & Scroll Society, the Drama club vice-president, Speech team secretary, SADD publicity manager, Language Alliance treasurer and Student Council senator.”
Despite all of the acclaim, success and experiences that Moralde has endured, he is most thankful for the people in his life. “I strongly believe that God has placed certain individuals in my life to bless me, sort of like an extension of Himself.” In the simplest terms, Moralde says, “I wouldn’t change a thing with my life. I’ve always believed on the motto, ‘no regrets.'”